Erika’s Picks for Best United Credit Cards
- Best for beginners:
The New United Gateway℠ Card - Best for moderate United travelers:
The New United℠ Explorer Card - Best for frequent United fliers:
The New United Quest℠ Card - Best for United Club℠ loyalists:
The New United Club℠ Card - Best for business travelers:
The New United℠ Business Card
United Airlines is one of the “big four” U.S. carriers, and a top pick for loyal travelers who prefer flying United whenever they can. If that sounds like you, a United-branded credit card could unlock even more value every time you fly.
United’s cards are issued by Chase Bank (the largest bank in the U.S.), and they have a broad range of card options to fit the different needs and lifestyles of all travelers.
Whether you are new to traveling, simply want to earn miles on everyday purchases, or want to enjoy exclusive perks that make travel more convenient, there’s a United credit card for you.
Here are our top picks — and who they’re best for.
Best for Beginners
The New United℠ Gateway Card
Rewards Rate
- 2x on United® purchases, at gas stations, and on local transit and commuting
- 1x on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Limited-Time Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual Fee
$0
If you are an occasional traveler or new to the world of travel credit cards, The New United Gateway℠ Card is a good starting point. Featuring no annual fee and a rewards rate of 1x-2x miles, it’s ideal for beginners who want a card for earning points on occasional trips.
Perks include a statement credit on purchases of wifi, food, and beverages while on a United-operated flight. And new this year is the ability to earn two free checked bags annually when you hit the required spend of $10,000 in a calendar year.
It also has no foreign transaction fees and comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental coverage, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
We recommend The New United Gateway℠ Card for beginners and non-frequent travelers, as it doesn’t come with priority boarding or free checked bags with every flight. But, because this card has no annual fee, it is perfect for those who may not travel super frequently.
When compared to the other “big four” airlines and their cards, this card may be the most appealing if your priority is skipping an annual fee. Specifically, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is Southwest’s lowest tier and ideal for beginners, but it has an annual fee.
Best for Moderate United Travelers
The New United℠ Explorer Card
Rewards Rate
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining and hotel stays
- 1x mile on everything else
Welcome Offer
Limited-Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual Fee
$150 ($0 in your first year)
Find yourself traveling more than a few times a year, but not quite “frequent flier” status? The New United℠ Explorer Card is the best bang for your buck for moderate United travelers.
The card has a great introductory offer and a $0 intro annual fee. After the first year, the regular annual fee kicks in, but it can be made up with the free checked bags benefit and other perks.
Other highlights include:
- Priority boarding privileges
- Two one-time passes on your anniversary for the United Club℠ lounge
- Free first checked bag
- 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 each calendar year
- $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on your card in a calendar year
- Hundreds of dollars in partner credits annually
- Fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS
- 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverage, and wifi purchases with United
The card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and comes with lots of travel protections, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and auto rental coverage.
The New United℠ Explorer Card has a solid sign-up bonus, which translates into earning your first free flight quickly.
The annual fee is among the lowest of all United cards, and having the added perk of two lounge passes is rare compared to similar competitor airlines and credit cards in the same tier.
It’s recommended for the more moderate travelers because of the convenience of a free checked bag and priority boarding.
Best for Frequent United Fliers
The New United Quest℠ Card
Rewards Rate
- 3x miles on United® purchases
- 2x on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel
- 1x on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Limited-time Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual Fee
$350
The New United Quest℠ Card is great for frequent United fliers who don’t necessarily want access to United’s (pricey) lounge.
While this card has a higher annual fee, you will earn more miles and enjoy more perks to help offset this.
Just a few perks include:
- Annual $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
- 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 each calendar year
- First and second checked bags are free for both you and your companion
- Priority boarding
- Two global Economy Plus® seat upgrades after spending $40,000 on purchases each calendar year
- Fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS
- Credits on various rideshare purchases and car rentals
There are no foreign transaction fees, and the card comes with a full suite of insurance protections, including for trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay, baggage delay, lost luggage, and auto rental theft/collision.
We recommend The New United Quest℠ Card if you frequently fly United but don’t need lounge access. There are substantial benefits and perks for those who fly often, which justify the higher annual fee.
When stacked up next to competitors, it is also rewarding for its checked bag value, as you get two free bags per traveler.
The ability to earn an annual credit and the two annual mile rebates also offset the annual fee, making it stand out compared to other competitor cards in the same tier.
Best for United Club℠ Loyalists
The New United Club℠ Card
Rewards Rate
- 4x miles on United® purchases
- 2x on all other travel and dining
- 1x on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Limited-Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$695
If you are a frequent flier who exclusively uses United and loves lounge access, The New United Club℠ Card is for you.
With this card, you get unlimited access to the United airport lounges and perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. It also has a great debut offer to earn bonus miles and a solid rewards rate.
But keep in mind that this card has a hefty annual fee.
Other perks include:
- United Club℠ membership, including additional guest privileges
- Priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling privileges
- 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases (up to two times a year)
- 25% back as a statement credit for United in-flight and United Club℠ premium drink purchases
- Fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS
- Hundreds of dollars annually in credits on other travel programs (rideshare, hotels, food delivery)
With this card, you won’t be charged any foreign transaction fees, and you’ll access the full range of insurance protections, including for trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay, baggage delay, lost luggage, and auto rental theft/collision.
The standout perk of The New United Club℠ Card is that it gets you access to the United Club℠ airport lounges. There are more than 45 lounges located in over 30 airports worldwide, sweetening the deal for international travelers.
While the annual fee on the card may seem steep to some, it is less than the price of a standalone membership to the club lounges. So, it may be worth it to those who love lounge access and intend on spending lots of time in the lounge.
Best for Business Travelers
The New United℠ Business Card
Rewards Rate
- 2x miles per dollar on United® purchases, dining, gas, office supply stores, transit/commuting
- 1x on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
The New United℠ Business Card is a solid travel buddy for business travelers. With its generous bonus miles intro offer and flat earning rate, it’s very possible for the benefits to pay for the moderate annual fee on this card.
Here are some of the stand-out perks:
- Annual travel credit of $125 after making five United® flight purchases of $100 or more each calendar year (helps offset the cost of the annual fee)
- Two continental U.S. Economy Plus seat upgrades annually after spending $25,000 in a calendar year
- Two United Club℠ one-time passes per year
- One checked bag free for both you and your companion
- Priority boarding privileges
- 5,000-mile bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card
- 25% back on United in-flight and Club premium drink purchases
- Hundreds of additional credits on travel programs (car rentals, hotels, rideshares, food delivery)
Like with United’s consumer cards, there are no foreign transaction fees. You also get coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay, baggage delay, lost luggage, and auto rental theft and collision.
The New United℠ Business Card aligns closely with the consumer Explorer card, meaning it’s worth it for even those moderate business travelers. The card has a solid introductory offer where the annual fee is waived for the first year, in addition to a good intro for bonus miles.
It’s a solid choice for a business airline credit card when compared to competing airlines and their business card offerings.
How To Choose a United Credit Card
United offers many great credit cards, but since everyone has different travel habits, goals, and budgets, it’s important to consider your unique situation when selecting a United credit card.
Here are some key factors to help you select the one that is right for you:
Travel frequency
Take a good look at your travel habits and frequency. How often do you travel? More specifically, how often do you travel with United?
If you fly with United often and enjoy premium features like lounge access, consider a premium card like The New United Club℠ Card.
But if you find yourself traveling only on occasion, a lower-fee option like The New United Gateway℠ Card may be better for you,
Weigh the benefits vs. the cost
Unfortunately, most credit cards aren’t free and come with annual fees (as well as high interest rates if they aren’t used responsibly). Fortunately, United has a wide range of options, spanning from no annual fee to over $600 a year, depending on which card and what perks you seek.
Consider what benefits you will actually use. For example, if you often travel carry-on only and don’t check bags, you might not need a premium card.
If you don’t want lounge access or travel frequently enough to justify the cost, you also may not need a more premium card.
But if you value things like free checked bags, priority boarding, or even lounge access, the annual fee could pay for itself, and cards like The New United Club℠ Card or The New United Quest℠ Card could be for you.
Look at sign-up offers and earning potential
Are you planning a once-in-a-lifetime dream trip? Or trying to learn the complicated facets of travel rewards?
These are also things to consider when choosing a card to sign up for. Many cards have large welcome bonuses (provided you meet the spending requirements in the first few months).
If you are making a big purchase, signing up for a new card could be the best way to quickly earn miles by cashing in on the intro offer.
Also, consider how you will earn miles and use the points system on the card. Do you get extra miles for travel, dining, or even everyday purchases like your groceries and gas? Choose a card that offers the best rewards rate to mirror your spending habits.
And make sure you track those rewards too.
Consider perks, protections, and status boosts
Some cards offer perks like travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, subscriptions to other services, as well as various upgrades. These are things to consider when choosing cards, especially if you are a frequent international traveler.
Lastly, with United cards, you can earn what is called Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) to reach a higher status with United faster. Frequent fliers who want to earn elite status (to then reap other benefits like flying first class and such) should consider this.
Other Ways to Earn United Miles
Though they offer some great options, you actually don’t need a United-branded credit card to earn United miles.
One of the most flexible options is using cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
These points can be transferred to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio, giving you access to United flights without locking yourself into a co-branded card.
READ MORE: Your Ultimate Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Another option to consider is Bilt Rewards, which also allows you a 1:1 point transfer to United. Bilt is especially attractive for renters, as it lets you earn Bilt Points on your rent payments with no transaction fees (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year).
Looking beyond credit cards, you can also earn United miles through MileagePlus Shopping and MileagePlus Dining programs. These platforms reward you for everyday purchases or dining at partner restaurants.
You can also earn miles by flying with United or its Star Alliance partners, including airlines like Lufthansa, ANA, and Air Canada.
Lastly, United partners with hotels (like Marriott Bonvoy and IHG), car rental companies, and even cruise lines. Linking your accounts or booking through United’s portals can help you accumulate miles without extra effort.
Bottom Line: Should You Get a United Credit Card?
A United credit card is a great fit if you frequently fly with United and can take advantage of perks like free checked bags, lounge access, priority boarding, and mileage bonuses. They have many options for cards depending on your travel needs as well as your tolerance for an annual fee.
But, if you prefer more flexibility or like to fly different airlines, a general travel card like Chase Sapphire may be a better choice. Additionally, if you are a loyalist to a different airline, it may not benefit you to have a United credit card.
As always, consider your unique travel habits and how much value you’ll get from the card’s benefits before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do United credit cards offer free checked bags?
Yes, a huge perk is that most United credit cards offer one free checked bag for the cardholder and a companion on the same reservation. To capitalize on this, you must purchase the ticket with the card and include your MileagePlus number.
Is there a foreign transaction fee on United credit cards?
No, United credit cards generally do not charge foreign transaction fees, making them a great option for international travelers.
Can I transfer points from my United credit card to other loyalty programs?
Unfortunately, no. United miles earned from their co-branded credit cards cannot be transferred to other airline or hotel loyalty programs. They stay within the United MileagePlus program.
Do United credit cards offer airport lounge access?
Lounge access is a premium feature, so only the premium The New United Club℠ Card and The United Club℠ Business Card offer unlimited United Club access.
The New United℠ Explorer Card offers two one-time passes to the lounge per year.
The other United cards do not include lounge access, sadly.
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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
