United credit cards get a boost: should you apply?
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If you’ve been cooped up all winter and are thinking that it’s about time to start planning your summer vacations, you’re not alone. While your mileage balances may have been on a vacation and not growing over the past few months, United Airlines and Chase are out with a limited time offer to give your account balances a jump start.
From now until August 7th, you’ve got the chance to earn tens of thousands of extra miles with four limited time welcome bonuses, making your trip to Europe, South America, Asia and beyond a real possibility.
What is the United Airlines limited time credit card offer?
United Airlines offers four credit cards for each kind of traveler. If you’re a casual traveler who only hits the road once a year, or a road warrior that knows the ins and outs of every major airline hub, there’s a card that fits your style.
From now until August 7th, you can get anywhere from 30,000 bonus miles up to 90,000 bonus miles in the form of a welcome offer, and some cards will even waive the annual fee for the first year. Let’s take a look at each card and why you should consider applying for them now.
Which United credit cards are eligible for this offer?
Each of the four cards taking part in this limited time offer has unique ways to earn miles and even more specialized features than ever before.
United Gateway℠ Card
The best card for casual United Airlines flyers, the United Gateway℠ Card, offers an elevated 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months of card membership.
United Gateway℠ Card
Intro bonus
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Regular APR | 21.99%–28.99% variable APR |
Although there’s no annual fee, the lack of a checked bag perk or other flying benefits with the United Gateway℠ Card leaves us hungry for more.
Rewards Rates
- 2x2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, including tickets, Economy Plus, in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, baggage service charges and other United purchases.
- 2x2 miles per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit.
- 1x1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Pros
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
- Reward bonus categories outside of United Airlines
- Robust travel protections for a no-annual-fee card
Cons
- No baggage or expanded award availability benefits like with other United cards
- Subject to Chase 5/24 rule.
- United perks: 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
- Other perks: Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty
- Foreign transaction fee: None
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You’ll earn a flat 2 United miles per dollar on your purchases with United Airlines, gas stations, and even local transit. If you’re looking to make a big purchase and want some extra time to pay it off, you’ll get 0% APR for the first 12 months on purchases, and then a variable APR will apply of 21.99% – 28.99%.
For more info check out our United Gateway Card review.
United℠ Explorer Card
A great card for both casual United travelers and United enthusiasts alike, this card’s welcome bonus is a cool 60,000 miles after spending only $3,000 in the first 3 months of card membership. On top of that, the annual fee is waived for the first year, giving you a respite from the $95 annual fee while you’re racking up all those extra miles.
United℠ Explorer Card
Intro bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
| Annual fee | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95) |
| Regular APR | 21.99%–28.99% variable APR |
For frequent United Airline flyers, the United℠ Explorer Card offers useful perks—like a free first checked bag, priority boarding and TSA PreCheck statement credit. Plus, cardholders get essential travel protections like lost luggage reimbursement and trip cancellation insurance.
Rewards Rates
- 2x2x miles on dining (including eligible delivery services), hotel stays, and United® purchases (including tickets, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, Economy Plus® and more)
- 1x1x miles on all other purchases
Pros
- Free first checked bag benefit.
- Expanded award availability on United Saver flights.
- No foreign transaction fee.
Cons
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95) annual fee
- Subject to Chase 5/24 rule.
- United perks: 25% back on in-flight purchases checked bag benefit, expanded Saver award ticket availability
- Travel perks: TSA/Global Entry credit, trip cancellation and interruption protection
- Foreign transaction fee: None
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Your first bag flies for free with you and you’ll be able to board before non-cardholders, meaning you’ll have a better chance to get some overhead space for your carryon bag. Earning miles is easy with 2 miles per dollar earned with United Airlines, dining, and reservations at hotels.
If you arrive at the airport ahead of time and want some time to relax, two lounge passes to the United Club are included for you as an extra perk. You’ll be able to enjoy a selection of food and drinks before you take off and relax in a private space only for club members.
Check out our full review of the United℠ Explorer Card.
United Quest℠ Card
A step up from the United℠ Explorer Card, both in perks and cost, is the United Quest℠ Card. A substantial 70,000 bonus miles can be yours after spending only $4,000 in the first 3 months of card membership, along with 500 PQP, Premier Qualifying Points, to help you hit your next level in elite status.
United Quest℠ Card
Intro bonus
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 | $250 |
| Regular APR | 21.99%–28.99% variable APR |
If you find yourself flying out of a United hub or on United airlines with any regularity, the United Quest℠ Card will let you not only earn a large amount of miles quickly but also waive many of those pesky fees. You’ll be able to unlock baggage fee waivers, mileage credits, rebates and more.
Rewards Rates
- 3x3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases credit
- 2x2 miles per $1 spent on dining, select streaming services & all other travel
- 1x1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Pros
- Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and priority boarding.
- $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
- Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
Cons
- More miles can be earned elsewhere
- High annual fee for a card that doesn’t offer lounge access
- Subject to Chase 5/24 rule
- United perks: 25% back on in-flight purchases, checked bag benefit, expanded Saver award ticket availability, $125 flight credit
- Travel perks: TSA/Global Entry credit, trip cancellation and interruption protection
- Foreign transaction fee: None
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Your earnings on United purchases jump by 50% up to 3 miles per dollar spent from 2 miles on the other two previous cards. The higher annual fee of $250 is also offset a little bit by offering you an annual $125 credit for United purchases and your first two checked bags for free on United flights.
Check out our full review of the United Quest card.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
If United lounges are your happy place, then this card needs its place in your wallet. Your card comes with a big 90,000 mile welcome bonus and a United Club membership, granting you a quiet area in busy airports worldwide with United Airlines.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Intro bonus
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
| Annual fee | $525 |
| Regular APR | 21.99%–28.99% variable |
The welcome bonus of 90,000 miles does require a slightly higher spend than the Quest card, $5,000 instead of $4,000, but if you can swing the extra spending, it does represent a huge bump over the other cards.
Miles earnings are increased even more on United Airlines purchases, growing to 4 miles per dollar instead of 3 or 2 with the other cards. You’ll score the same 2 miles per dollar on dining but now you’ll get 2 miles per dollar spent on all things travel.
Other ancillary benefits included with this premier credit card are a Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit, 25% back on inflight purchases, and Premier Access travel purchases such as priority check in, security, boarding and baggage handling.
Check out our full review of the United Club℠ Infinite Card.
Where can I go with my United Airlines miles?
With over 210 destinations in the United States and over 120 destinations worldwide, chances are that United Airlines can take you to where you want to go. United does have a handy page, called their featured deals, which rounds up the best deals on United flights using your miles. This gives you the ability to search by your departure city or arrival city and see all the deals.
Once you’ve got the welcome bonus deposited into your account, the fun begins. Mileage prices vary, so make sure to check the latest pricing on flights before you decide to act on any special deals.
The takeaway
If you’ve been waiting to apply for a card to earn United Airlines miles, now’s the time. While this offer runs until August 7th, the sooner you apply the better. This will allow you to hit the minimum spend required for you to get your welcome bonus and use the miles to plan your trip.
Even if you don’t get the miles for a summer vacation, fall and winter travel is just around the corner. Whether you’re visiting a favorite city or exploring a new destination, United Airlines credit cards can help to get you there.
Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
