Best United Airlines Credit Cards of January 2023
By
•
Benji Stawski
and
Christina Ly
Editor
Nick Ewen
Updated
Jan 03, 2023
Apply for United℠ Explorer Card
Apply now
for United℠ Explorer Card
at Chase's secure site
Apply now
for United℠ Explorer Card
at Chase's secure site
TPG Editor's Rating
50,000 Bonus Miles
details
Intro Offer
50,000 Bonus Miles
$605
details
TPG'S OFFER VALUATION
$605
$0 Intro for First Year, then $95.
$0 Intro for First Year, then $95.
1 - 2X miles
details
- 2X Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
- 2X Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible delivery services
- 1X 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Why We Chose It
Even occasional United flyers will find a lot to like with this card, including strong everyday earning rates, plenty of day-of-travel perks and even two annual lounge passes to let you fly in style.
Pros
- Earns 2 miles per $1 spent on United, dining and hotels.
- First checked bag free for the cardholder and a companion.
- Priority boarding.
- 25% off inflight purchases.
- Up to $100 credit every four years for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck.
- $0 intro annual fee, then $95.
Cons
- Day-of-travel perks limited to United and some partner flights.
- Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases.
- You might get more use from transferable points instead of United miles.
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- 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 Explorer Card
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
Pros
- Earns 2 miles per $1 spent on United, dining and hotels.
- First checked bag free for the cardholder and a companion.
- Priority boarding.
- 25% off inflight purchases.
- Up to $100 credit every four years for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck.
- $0 intro annual fee, then $95.
Cons
- Day-of-travel perks limited to United and some partner flights.
- Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases.
- You might get more use from transferable points instead of United miles.
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- 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 Explorer Card
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
Apply for United Quest℠ Card
Apply now
for United Quest℠ Card
at Chase's secure site
Apply now
for United Quest℠ Card
at Chase's secure site
TPG Editor's Rating
60,000 Bonus Miles
details
Intro Offer
60,000 Bonus Miles
$726
details
TPG'S OFFER VALUATION
$726
$250
$250
1 - 3X points
details
- 3X Earn 3x miles on United® purchases
- 2X Earn 2x miles on dining including eligible delivery services, select streaming services, and all other travel
- 1X 1X on all other purchases.
Why We Chose It
Step up your earning and your United flight experience with this premium (but affordable) airline credit card.
Pros
- Enjoy a $125 annual United purchase credit.
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on United purchases and 2 per dollar on a variety of other categories.
- Get a first and second checked bag free for the cardholder and a companion.
- Get up to two 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits after you take United award flights booked with your miles.
- Priority boarding -25% off inflight.
Cons
- Day-of-travel perks limited to United and some partner flights.
- Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases.
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $250 Annual Fee
- Earn 3x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on dining, select streaming services & all other travel, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn 3x miles on United® purchases
- Earn 2x miles on dining including eligible delivery services, select streaming services, and all other travel
- Earn 500 Premier qualifying points for every $12K you spend on purchases, up to 6,000 PQP in a calendar year.
- Earn 1x mile on all other purchases
- Each year, receive up to a $125 United® purchase credit and two 5K-mile anniversary award flight credits. Terms apply.
Pros
- Enjoy a $125 annual United purchase credit.
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on United purchases and 2 per dollar on a variety of other categories.
- Get a first and second checked bag free for the cardholder and a companion.
- Get up to two 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits after you take United award flights booked with your miles.
- Priority boarding -25% off inflight.
Cons
- Day-of-travel perks limited to United and some partner flights.
- Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases.
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $250 Annual Fee
- Earn 3x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on dining, select streaming services & all other travel, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn 3x miles on United® purchases
- Earn 2x miles on dining including eligible delivery services, select streaming services, and all other travel
- Earn 500 Premier qualifying points for every $12K you spend on purchases, up to 6,000 PQP in a calendar year.
- Earn 1x mile on all other purchases
- Each year, receive up to a $125 United® purchase credit and two 5K-mile anniversary award flight credits. Terms apply.
Apply for United℠ Business Card
Apply now
for United℠ Business Card
at Chase's secure site
Apply now
for United℠ Business Card
at Chase's secure site
TPG Editor's Rating
75,000 Bonus Miles
details
Intro Offer
75,000 Bonus Miles
$908
details
TPG'S OFFER VALUATION
$908
$0 Intro for the First Year. $99 After
$0 Intro for the First Year. $99 After
1 - 2X points
details
- 2X Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- 1X Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Why We Chose It
Excellent sign-up bonuses plus value-added day-of-travel perks set this business-oriented airline credit card apart from the pack, especially for frequent United flyers.
Pros
- Try the card for the first year with a $0 intro annual fee, then it’s just $99.
- Earns 2 miles per $1 spent in a variety of categories, including United purchases, dining, gas, office supplies and more.
- Get a $100 United travel credit after qualifying purchases each year.
- If you have a personal United card, too, you can earn 5,000 bonus miles each year.
- Open employee cards at no additional cost.
Cons
- Redemption options are mostly limited to United and its partners.
- Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases.
- You might get more use from transferable points instead of United miles.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent 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.
- Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
- Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
- $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.
Pros
- Try the card for the first year with a $0 intro annual fee, then it’s just $99.
- Earns 2 miles per $1 spent in a variety of categories, including United purchases, dining, gas, office supplies and more.
- Get a $100 United travel credit after qualifying purchases each year.
- If you have a personal United card, too, you can earn 5,000 bonus miles each year.
- Open employee cards at no additional cost.
Cons
- Redemption options are mostly limited to United and its partners.
- Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases.
- You might get more use from transferable points instead of United miles.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent 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.
- Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
- Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
- $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.
Apply for United Gateway℠ Card
Apply now
for United Gateway℠ Card
at Chase's secure site
Apply now
for United Gateway℠ Card
at Chase's secure site
TPG Editor's Rating
20,000 bonus miles
details
Intro Offer
20,000 bonus miles
$242
details
TPG'S OFFER VALUATION
$242
$0
$0
1 - 2X points
details
- 2X Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
- 1X Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Why We Chose It
A no-annual-fee airline card that still earns miles at a decent clip is hard to come by, so if you’ve been thinking about opening a rewards card but balk at paying for it year after year, the United Gateway card could be your best bet.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on a variety of purchases including those from United, gas stations and on local transit and commuting.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- Few day-of-travel benefits like free checked bags.
- More limited travel and purchase protections than with other United cards.
- Low sign-up bonus.
- Earn 20,000 bonus miles
- No annual fee
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 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
- Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on a variety of purchases including those from United, gas stations and on local transit and commuting.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- Few day-of-travel benefits like free checked bags.
- More limited travel and purchase protections than with other United cards.
- Low sign-up bonus.
- Earn 20,000 bonus miles
- No annual fee
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 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
- Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
Apply for United Club℠ Infinite Card
Apply now
for United Club℠ Infinite Card
at Chase's secure site
Apply now
for United Club℠ Infinite Card
at Chase's secure site
TPG Editor's Rating
Earn 80,000 bonus miles
details
Intro Offer
Earn 80,000 bonus miles
$968
details
TPG'S OFFER VALUATION
$968
$525
$525
1 - 4X points
details
- 4X Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases including tickets, Economy Plus®, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.
- 2X Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- 2X Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible delivery services
- 1X Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Why We Chose It
The United Club Infinite card can really improve your travel experience, from access to United’s airport lounges to free checked bags and priority boarding, you’ll feel like a top-tier elite anytime you fly.
Pros
- Earn 4x miles on United purchases; 2x miles on travel and dining; 1x 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 $100 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 $525 annual fee.
- Earn 80,000 bonus miles.
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases including tickets, Economy Plus®, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible delivery services
- Earn 500 Premier qualifying points for every $12K you spend on purchases, up to 8,000 PQP in a calendar year.
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip. Terms Apply
Pros
- Earn 4x miles on United purchases; 2x miles on travel and dining; 1x 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 $100 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 $525 annual fee.
- Earn 80,000 bonus miles.
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases including tickets, Economy Plus®, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible delivery services
- Earn 500 Premier qualifying points for every $12K you spend on purchases, up to 8,000 PQP in a calendar year.
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip. Terms Apply