9 Best United Airlines Credit Cards of November 2026
The best United Airlines credit cards offer great perks for frequent flyers — as well as casual travelers who sometimes find themselves on a United flight. Some United credit cards unlock useful benefits when flying on United and using United MileagePlus miles, while others earn valuable transferable points you can redeem through other reward programs.
Whether you’re looking for ways to optimize your United credit card usage to earn more miles or want to apply for a new card, our guide to the best credit cards from our partners for United Airlines flyers will help you find the right fit.
- United℠ Explorer Card: Best for occasional United flyers
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for flexible travel rewards
- United℠ Business Card: Best for United business travelers
- United Club℠ Card: Best for United Club access
- United Quest℠ Card: Best for frequent United flyers
- United Gateway℠ Card: Best for entry-level benefits
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for frequent travelers
- Sapphire Reserve for Business℠: Best for business travel rewards
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for high-spending businesses
Comparing the best United credit cards
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 9x | Earn 9x total miles on eligible United flights. |
| 3x | Earn 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases. |
| 2x | Earn 2x miles on dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. |
| 1x | Earn 1x mile on all other purchases. |
Between a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credit, two annual lounge visits and a free checked bag, the United Explorer card is packed with perks that will enhance your trips for even occasional United flyers. Read our full review of the United Explorer card.
Pros
- First checked bag free for you and a companion on United flights
- Two, one-time United Club passes when the cardholder or authorized user is traveling each year of card membership
- Up to $120 credit every four years for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
- Elite status shortcut
- Trip cancellation, trip delay and baggage insurance
Cons
- Miles redemption limited to United and Star Alliance partners
- Only provides lounge access two times
- Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 9x total miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases.
- 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $200 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. Plus, Group 2 priority boarding on United® flights.
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year - over a $100 value
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5x | Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. |
| 3x | Earn 3x on dining, vacation homes at top brands, gas & EV charging, top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs). |
| 2x | Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. |
| 1x | Earn 1x on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card remains one of the easiest travel rewards cards to recommend because it has elevated rewards across everyday spending categories, valuable travel protections, useful statement credits and an approachable annual fee. Whether you're new to points and miles or already maximizing transfer partners, it offers a rare combination of flexibility and long-term value for both beginners and experienced travelers alike.
Pros
- Earn elevated rewards in popular categories, including travel, dining, gas, EV charging and vacation home stays at top brands
- Premium travel protection benefits include trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
- Versatile airline and hotel transfer partners
- Features up to $100 in annual hotel credits through Chase Travel℠
Cons
- Has an annual fee
- No airport lounge access
- Transfers to Hyatt at a lower rate than other Sapphire cards
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes at top brands, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation, and more.
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.
- Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. Enjoy $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders, plus exclusive Chase savings on grocery, everyday essentials, and more. Activate by 12/31/29.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 8x | Earn 8x total miles on eligible United® flights. |
| 2x | Earn 2x miles on all other eligible United® purchases. |
| 2x | Earn 2x miles on dining, at gas stations, office supply stores and on local transit and commuting. |
| 1x | Earn 1x mile on all other purchases. |
If you’re a business owner, the United Business card offers excellent benefits for United flyers while charging a low annual fee. Read our full review of the United Business Card.
Pros
- Earn 2 MileagePlus miles per dollar on United Airlines purchases, dining, gas stations, office supply stores and on local transit and commuting and 1 mile per dollar on everything else
- First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation
- Two United Club one-time passes when the cardholder or authorized user is traveling each cardmember anniversary
- Travel protections including primary rental car insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Cons
- Only provides lounge access twice per card member year
- Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $150 Annual Fee.
- 8x total miles on eligible United® flights.
- 2x miles on all other eligible United® purchases. 2x miles on dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- 1x mile on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
- Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the UnitedSM Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
- Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $200 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United ClubSM one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
- Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 11x | Earn 11x total miles on eligible United flights. |
| 5x | Earn 5x miles on all other eligible United® purchases. |
| 2x | Earn 2x miles on dining and all other travel. |
| 1x | Earn 1x mile on all other purchases. |
Only the United Club Card grants you complimentary United Club lounge membership, worth up to $750 per year. Although this card comes with a steep $695 annual fee, the lounge benefit alone can more than cover this annual cost. Not to mention the other ongoing perks of this card, from two free checked bags and up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck. For frequent United flyers, this card can provide tons of value each year. Read our full review of the United Club Card.
Pros
- Earn 5 miles per dollar on United purchases; 2 miles per dollar on travel and dining; 1 mile per dollar on everything else
- United Club℠ membership for you and your eligible travel companions at all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide
- Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck application every four years
- Free first and second checked bags for you and one travel companion on the same reservation
- 25% inflight purchase statement credit
Cons
- High $695 annual fee
- Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles
- 11x total miles on eligible United flights and 5x miles on all other eligible United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- Unlimited United ClubSM access for you and a guest - a $750+ value per year
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $440 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services.
- Earn up to 20,000-miles in award flight discounts annually
- Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 10x | Earn 10x total miles on eligible United flights. |
| 4x | Earn 4x miles on all other eligible United® purchases. |
| 2x | Earn 2x miles on dining, select streaming services & all other travel. |
| 1x | Earn 1x mile on all other purchases. Plus, receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary, as well as earn up to 18,000 Premier qualifying points. |
The United Quest Card is a solid, middle-of-the-road option for frequent United flyers. The $350 annual fee is more than cut in half if you can take advantage of the annual $200 United travel credit, and there’s a long list of benefits from checked baggage benefits to a strong earning rate on United and everyday purchases. Read our full review of the United Quest Card.
Pros
- Receive up to $200 in travel credits each account anniversary year as reimbursement for United purchases
- Free first and second checked bags
- Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
Cons
- $350 annual fee
- No lounge access benefits
- Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities and 500 PQP after first purchase
- 10x total miles on eligible United flights and 4x miles on all other eligible United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- Get a jump start on earning Premier status with 1,000 Card Bonus PQP each year, awarded within 8 weeks of February 1, starting in the calendar year following your account open date.
- Free first and second checked bags--a savings of up to $440 per roundtrip (terms apply)
- Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
- Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
Comparing the best United credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Limited-Time Offer at Chase's secure site | occasional United flyers | Earn up to 80,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | 1 - 9X miles Open Rewards rates
| $0 Intro Annual fee for the First Year, then $150 | ||||||||
at Chase's secure site | flexible travel rewards | 75,000 bonus points. Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $95 | ||||||||
at Chase's secure site | United business travelers | Earn up to 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP Open Intro bonus Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | 1 - 8X miles Open Rewards rates
| $150 | ||||||||
Limited-Time Offer at Chase's secure site | United Club access | Earn up to 100,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 11X miles Open Rewards rates
| $695 | ||||||||
Limited-Time Offer at Chase's secure site | frequent United flyers | Earn up to 90,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn 500 Premier qualifying points after your first purchase and 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | 1 - 10X miles Open Rewards rates
| $350 |
How we rate
Is United the best US airline in 2024?
Not according to TPG’s annual report, which has United in third place (behind Delta and Alaska). United took top scores for loyalty and fell near the top of the heap for its route network and cost structure. However, it was the second-worst airline for delivering checked luggage to passengers, and it ranked sixth in cancellation rate. These operational issues ultimately led to United slipping from second in 2023 to third this year.
Here’s how United compared in this year’s analysis.
Ask our experts
What's your favorite United credit card — and why?
What are the benefits of having a United Airlines credit card?
Cobranded United Airlines credit cards offer many benefits for travelers. Here’s a look at what you can expect from some of the MileagePlus credit cards we discussed above.
How to choose the best United credit card
- Opt for a card with an attainable sign-up bonus that suits your budget. Once you’ve earned a bonus, you’ll be able to use it for future travel.1Sign-up bonus
- Those seeking premium value from a United card will find tons of value in the options that have higher annual fees.2Annual fee
- Choose a card that grants access to bonus categories you frequently spend in, whether it’s on groceries or dining out. This way, you maximize your earning potential.3Bonus categories
Pros + cons of United credit cards
Pros
- United credit cards can earn MileagePlus miles on every dollar you spend
- Some United credit cards offer shortcuts to MileagePlus Premier status and expanded award availability
- Many United credit cards provide purchase, theft and fraud protection
- Select United credit cards provide perks like travel insurance, lounge access, statement credits and more
Cons
- You may not fly with United enough to make a United credit card worthwhile
How to apply for a United Airlines credit card
You can apply for a United card online or by mail. Upon approval, your new card should arrive by mail — regardless of how you applied — in seven to 10 days. To streamline the process, you can access United card applications here:
Frequently asked questions
The ideal United Airlines credit card choice depends on your specific requirements. The United Club℠ Card would be your most suitable option if you want United Club access. However, if your main priority is to receive the benefit of a complimentary first checked bag on domestic United Airlines flights, the United℠ Explorer Card or United Quest℠ Card would likely be best.
According to TPG's valuations, MileagePlus miles are worth 1.35 cents apiece.
Obtaining a United Airlines card can be advantageous if its benefits outweigh the annual fee. To illustrate, simply avoiding four checked bag fees per year would make keeping the United℠ Explorer Card in your wallet a worthwhile long-term investment. Moreover, the annual fee for the United Club℠ Card is lower than that of a United Club membership, making it an even more cost-effective option.
Annual fees will vary depending on the United Airlines credit card you have. The annual fees for United Airlines credit cards are included below:
United℠ Explorer Card: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 per year thereafter
United Quest℠ Card: $350
United Gateway℠ card: $0
United Club℠ card: $695
United Club℠ Business card: $695
United℠ Business card: $150
The information for the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You can apply for United Airlines cards by clicking the hyperlinked card names on our page.
Redeeming your MileagePlus miles can be done over the phone, in the United app or on United's website. If you're logged into your account online or using the app, you should see an option to use your miles for redemptions. You can choose between things like award flights and upgrades — simply choose what you want to use your miles for and click 'submit.'
Only three major credit card currencies transfer to United MileagePlus: Chase Ultimate Rewards points, at a 1:1 ratio; Marriott Bonvoy points, at a 3:1.1 ratio; and Bilt Rewards, at a 1:1 ratio. Many cobranded Chase credit cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Marriott Bonvoy credit cards earn Marriott points, and you can earn Bilt Points with the Bilt Mastercard®.
The information for the Bilt Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
No, United Airlines credit cards do not have foreign transaction fees.
You can use your cobranded United Airlines credit card at most merchants that accept Visa credit cards.
Some United Airlines credit cards, including the United Club℠ Card, offer worldwide car rental insurance coverage when you pay for your rental with your card. Check out each card’s benefits to determine whether your card offers rental car coverage and, if so, the specific details of the coverage.
You'll typically need good credit — a credit score of at least 670 — to be approved for a United Airlines credit card.
Yes, you can add eligible United credit cards to Apple, Google or Samsung mobile wallets.
MileagePlus miles do not expire. This means you can accrue them over time and save them for a special redemption once you've hit your points goal.
Yes, holding more than one United credit card simultaneously is possible. You may find more value, however, in holding a single United card that earns MileagePlus miles instead of splitting your spending power between two United cards. Also, remember that you'll be under the Chase 5/24 rule since Chase issues United cards.