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The New United Club℠ Card is our pick for the best United Airlines credit card thanks to its array of luxury perks that easily cover the annual fee for travelers who fly United often. The full United Club airport lounge access alone makes the card worth it for brand loyalists.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The New United Club℠ Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best United card
|
$695 | 1X - 4X miles
| 80,000 miles
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
|
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
The New United℠ Explorer Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best United card for free checked bags
|
$150 | 1X - 2X miles
| 60,000 miles
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
|
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
The New United Quest℠ Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best card for United perks with a lower annual fee
|
$350 | 1X - 3X miles
| 100,000 miles
Best Offer Ever: Earn 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
|
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
The New United Gateway℠ Card*
|
Best United Airlines credit card with no annual fee
|
$0 | 1X - 2X miles
| 20,000 miles
Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Learn more.
| |
United Club℠ Business Card*
|
Best United business credit card
|
$695 | 1.5X - 7X miles
| 100,000 miles
100,000 bonus miles + 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
| |
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best credit card for United miles
|
$795 | 1X - 8X points
| 100,000 points
Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
|
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Bilt World Elite Mastercard®
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on Bilt Rewards's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best credit card for United miles with no annual fee
|
$0 | 1X - 5X points
| 1,000 points
Bilt cardholders can earn double points on purchases made on the first of the month (excluding Rent) up to 1,000 bonus points. You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
|
Apply Now
on Bilt Rewards's secure site Rates & Fees |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Best business credit card for United miles
|
$95 | 1X - 3X points
| 90,000 points
Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
|
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
To bring you the list of best credit cards for United, we use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 cards from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on numbers from LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
We rank cards based on the following criteria:
We calculate the value of rewards and perks for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor Statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes the card’s sign-up bonus, annual bonus (including free night certificates) and travel perks like lounge access and travel credits. We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates, minimum thresholds to redeem, blackout dates and the availability of flexible redemption options like travel statement credits and cash back.
We also compare a card’s benefits, such as purchase protections, travel protections and elite status benefits against benefits from other cards.
Note that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best Delta credit card. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value most to choose the best card for you.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 80,000 miles
The New United Club℠ Card is the best United card because it offers the most extensive array of United benefits of any card. That includes airport lounge membership and free first- and second-checked bags. As the only personal United card with Premier Access benefits for priority treatment at the airport, it makes flying a breeze for United loyalists.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 60,000 miles
The New United℠ Explorer Card offers solid value with an excellent array of United credit card perks for a modest annual fee. It’s a great choice for budget-minded travelers who often fly basic economy since it gets you both free carry-on and checked bags, which can easily make up for the cost of the card.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 100,000 miles
The New United Quest℠ Card is a great choice for travelers who want rich Chase United card benefits but don’t travel quite enough to justify the higher fee on a premium airline credit card. This card also can help boost you to elite status with the United MileagePlus program, with PQPs available as part of the United credit card sign-up bonus, plus the ability to earn more PQPs on spending than you get with most other United Airlines credit cards. There is one downside, though: The New United Quest℠ Card offers no lounge access.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 20,000 miles
The New United Gateway℠ Card is one of the better no-annual-fee airline credit cards on the market. This Chase United credit card offers decent bonus spending categories and a discount on in-flight purchases. But you’ll generally get more benefit by putting most of your spending on a regular travel credit card that allows you to transfer your miles to United, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 100,000 miles
Earn 100,000 bonus miles + 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
The United Club℠ Business Card is one of the best bets for a small business owner or self-employed traveler who primarily flies United. It has a rich package of United benefits. In addition to United Club membership, you also can earn PQPs through credit card spending to help elevate you to United elite status faster.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 100,000 points
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best option for earning United miles because it offers a higher earning rate on dining and general travel purchases than any United card, and you can transfer all those points to United MileagePlus. You can also transfer points into more than 10 other loyalty programs and redeem points through the Chase TravelSM portal for up to 100% more value.
This gives you the flexibility to travel with any airline if you don’t want to stick to flying on United. You’ll get other great perks, including Priority Pass lounge access. Plus, you’ll get a $300 flexible travel credit that covers most travel purchases and can help cover the annual fee each year.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 1,000 points
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® is a great general travel card for United who don’t want to pay an annual fee. That’s because it’s the only $0-annual-fee travel card that lets you transfer points to United (along with a list of other travel partners) at a 1:1 ratio. It also stands out as the only credit card that allows you to earn points from paying your rent (up to 100,000 points per year) while waiving transaction fees. This makes it a great option for renters as well as anyone else who wants an outstanding no-annual-fee travel card.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 90,000 points
The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has one of the best sign-up bonuses on any business credit card with a moderate annual fee. It also offers one of the higher earning rates on the market in a broad range of business categories. With $0 foreign transaction fees and the ability to transfer points to United, this a great choice for United loyalists seeking a business credit card for international travel.
United Airlines cards provide different tiers of benefits. In general, you’ll get an array of United credit card perks on the higher-annual-fee cards, with The New United Club℠ Card and the United Club℠ Business Card offering the most robust benefits including full United Club airport lounge access. Here are the standout United credit card benefits on each card:
| The New United Gateway℠ Card | The New United℠ Explorer Card | The New United Quest℠ Card | The New United Club℠ Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25% in-flight discount Get 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages and Wi-Fi purchased with your United card on United-operated flights. | ||||
| Expanded Saver Award inventory Get expanded access to discounted Saver Awards for economy seats. | ||||
| Free checked bags Get waived baggage fees on United-operated flights. | Earn two free checked bags after $10,000 spend/year | First bag | First and second bag | First and second bag |
| Priority boarding Get Priority boarding on United-operated flights, snag overhead bin space and settle in before general boarding starts. | ||||
| Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit Get a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee when you use your card for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus. | ||||
| Premier upgrades on award tickets The primary cardholder and a companion on the same reservation are eligible for a complimentary United seat upgrade on an award ticket, when available. | ||||
| Economy Plus® seat upgrades Earn global seat upgrades and enjoy extra leg room on your next United - or United Express® - operated flight | Earn 2 upgrades when you spend $40,000/year | |||
|
Premier qualifying points
Earn PQPs toward United elite status by spending on your card, up to a specified amount each year.
| 1 PQP per $20 spent (up to 1,000/year) | 1 PQP per $20 spent (up to 18,000/year) | 1 PQP per $15 spent (up to 28,000/year) | |
| Elite status boost Earn elite qualifying points after your account anniversary each year to get a head start toward United elite status. | 1,000 PQPs/year | 1,500 PQPs/year | ||
| Award flight credits Get miles back to your MileagePlus account when you use miles to book a United or United Express-operated flight. | 10,000 miles after $20,000 spend/year | 10,000 miles on your anniversary + 10,000 miles after $20,000 spend/year | 10,000 miles after $20,000 spend, twice per year | |
| United credit Get TravelBank to use toward qualifying United purchases. | $100 after $10,000 spend/year | $200/year | ||
| Hotel credit Get a property credit when you use your card to book a stay through the hotel program. | Up to $100/year for United Hotels | Up to $150/year for Renowned Hotels and Resorts | Up to $200/year for Renowned Hotels and Resorts | |
| Car rental credit Receive United travel credits annually when you book Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com and pay with your United ClubSM Card. | Up to $50/year | Up to $80/year | Up to $100/year | |
| Rideshare credit Enroll and eceive $8 back as a statement credit each month from January through November and up to $12 back for the month of December toward rideshare purchases with your card. | Up to $60/year | Up to $100/year | Up to $150/year | |
| Instacart credit Receive a $10 Instacart credit monthly, up to $120 total each calendar year, for purchases made directly through Instacart with your card | Up to $120/year | Up to $180/year | Up to $240/year | |
| JSX credit Get a statement credit each anniversary year when you book flights directly with JSX using your United Quest℠ Card. JSX is a hop-on jet service that offers a semi-private flying experience at commercial fares. | Up to $100/year | Up to $150/year | Up to $200/year | |
| United Club access Get access to more than 45 United Club airport lounges worldwide. | 2 passes/year | Full membership | ||
| 10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards Use 10% fewer miles for everyone on your reservation when you book a United Economy or United Express fare. | ||||
| Premier Access travel services Get priority check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling where available for a seamless airport experience. | ||||
| IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status Qualify for Platinum Elite status once you enroll in the IHG One Rewards hotel loyalty program, unlocking benefits such as complimentary room upgrades and extended checkout. | ||||
| Avis President's Club Enroll in the Avis President's Club, with free car upgrades, guaranteed availability and faster service. |
| The New United℠ Business Card (see rates & fees) | United Club℠ Business Card | |
|---|---|---|
| 25% in-flight discount Get 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages and Wi-Fi purchased with your United card on United-operated flights. | ||
| Expanded Saver Award inventory Get expanded access to discounted Saver Awards for economy seats. | ||
| Free checked bags for you and a companion Get waived baggage fees on United-operated flights. | First bag | First and second bag |
| Priority boarding Get Priority boarding on United-operated flights, snag overhead bin space and settle in before general boarding starts. | ||
| 5,000-mile anniversary bonus Get 5,000 bonus miles for having a business + personal card | ||
| Premier upgrades on award tickets The primary cardholder and a companion on the same reservation are eligible for a complimentary United seat upgrade on an award ticket, when available. | ||
| Economy Plus® seat upgrades Earn global seat upgrades and enjoy extra leg room on your next United - or United Express® - operated flight | Earn 2 upgrades after $25,000 spend/year | Earn 2 upgrades after $40,000 spend/year |
| Premier qualifying points Earn PQPs toward United elite status by spending on your card, up to a specified amount each year. | 1 PQP per $20 spent (up to 4,000/year) | 1 PQP per $15 spent (up to 28,000/year) |
| United credit Get TravelBank to use toward qualifying United purchases. | Up to $125/year | |
| United Farelock credit Earn a statement credit each anniversary year after you buy FareLock with your card on a United - or United Express® - operated flight. Use FareLock to hold a seat on your flight for a set price for 3, 7, or 14 days and your ticket price won't go up during the hold period. | Up to $25/year | Up to $50/year |
| Hotel credit Get a property credit when you use your card to book a stay through the hotel program. | Up to $100/year for prepaid stays though United Hotels | Up to $200/year for Renowned Hotels and Resorts |
| Car rental credit Receive United travel credits annually when you book Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com and pay with your United ClubSM Card. | Up to $50/year | Up to $100/year |
| Rideshare credit Enroll and eceive $8 back as a statement credit each month from January through November and up to $12 back for the month of December toward rideshare purchases with your card. | Up to $100/year | Up to $150/year |
| Instacart credit Receive a $10 Instacart credit monthly, up to $120 total each calendar year, for purchases made directly through Instacart with your card | Up to $120/year | Up to $240/year |
| JSX credit Get a statement credit each anniversary year when you book flights directly with JSX using your United Quest℠ Card. JSX is a hop-on jet service that offers a semi-private flying experience at commercial fares. | Up to $100/year | Up to $200/year |
| United Club access Get access to more than 45 United Club airport lounges worldwide. | 2 passes per year | Full membership |
|
Premier Access travel services
Get priority check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling where available for a seamless airport experience.
| ||
| Avis President's Club Enroll in the Avis President's Club, with free car upgrades, guaranteed availability and faster service. |
Travelers who value flexibility and maximizing rewards earning may want to consider getting a general travel credit card in addition to a co-branded United credit card. Two credit card programs — Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Bilt — allow you to transfer points to a variety of airline and hotel partners, including United MileagePlus, at a 1:1 ratio. Both programs may allow you to earn at a higher rate for certain types of everyday spending, such as dining and some travel purchases.
This strategy can allow you to build up points and earn free flights more quickly. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns more points than The New United℠ Explorer Card in the spending scenario below because it has a higher earning rate on dining and general travel:
| The New United℠ Explorer Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates & fees) | |
|---|---|---|
| Earning rate | 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases | Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases |
| $3,000 dining spend | 6,000 | 9,000 |
| $400 United airfare | 800 | 800 |
| $400 hotel spend | 800 | 800 |
| $1,500 other travel spending | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| Total points/miles | 9,100 | 13,600 |
→ Learn more about transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards® points
The best credit card for United Airlines is the one that provides the most value to you based on your travel habits. For example, if you always check a bag when you fly United, you’ll want a card that offers a free checked bag. If you like to stretch your rewards by booking Saver flights, you’ll benefit from a card with expanded Saver award inventory. And if you hate airport lines and your TSA PreCheck membership is set to expire, a card with trusted traveler program reimbursement may be right for you.
Let’s do a United credit card comparison for Wayfarer Wendy, a self-employed graphic designer who flies United eight times a year with either her spouse or a friend, including two annual international vacations. She and her travel companion always check one bag each, but when they fly out of the country, they check two bags each and also spring for airport lounge access. She has a Global Entry membership that’s expiring this year.
Total value: $1,484
*Her travel companion also receives $880 in value by using Wendy’s benefit
Total value first year: $866
*Her travel companion also receives $480 in value by using Wendy’s benefit
Now let’s compare the value these cards offer the traveler relative to their cost.
Card 1: The New United Club℠ Card
$1,484 – $695 annual fee = $789 in value
Card 2: The New United℠ Explorer Card
$866 – annual fee ($0 Intro for the First Year, then $150) = $716 in value
The New United Club℠ Card is the best choice for this traveler, with more first-year and ongoing value after the fee. Also, with The New United℠ Explorer Card, she’d pay $400 in checked bag fees plus $118 in airport lounge fees. This makes The New United Club℠ Card the clear winner, especially when you factor in value for her travel companions, plus perks that are hard to assign a value but make traveling more convenient, such as the Premier Access travel services, extra PQPs on credit card spending and Avis and IHG elite status.
The best United credit card depends on your spending habits and travel preferences. However, we’d suggest The New United℠ Explorer Card for most travelers who fly United often but aren’t avid travelers. The card has a modest annual fee that’s easily recouped with valuable perks that include one free checked bag, priority boarding and two one-time United Club passes each year. You’ll earn 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases. Plus, The New United℠ Explorer Card offers a competitive sign-up bonus.
You’ll generally need to have good to excellent credit to qualify for a United credit card. The same is true for most other airline cards and general travel rewards credit cards.
All Chase credit cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® allow you to transfer your points into the United MileagePlus program. The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® also counts United as one of its transfer partners.
The New United Club℠ Card and the United Club℠ Business Card both include full membership privileges for United Club airport lounges with more than 45 locations worldwide. The New United℠ Explorer Card and The New United℠ Business Card each come with two United Club passes per year.
United miles don’t count toward elite status — only Premier Qualifying Points and Premier Qualifying Flights help you earn Premier status. However, many United credit cards offer the opportunity to earn PQPs per year through spending. Some cards also offer a PQP bonus each year on your account anniversary.
Many United credit cards offer travel protections like baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and auto rental collision damage waiver. This may help with the cost of canceling a flight or other expenses you incur for a covered reason.
The information related to the The New United Gateway℠ Card and United Club℠ Business Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
