The best credit cards to use for United flights

You're about to buy a flight, and you have a credit card with that airline's name stamped on the front. That's the best card to use for this purchase, right? Or, would you be better served if you used some other credit card?

You have options for earning extra points and miles when you pay. Conversely, there are options for enjoying additional perks during your flight. Some credit cards may give a mix of both.

Let's take a look at the best credit cards to use for United Airlines flights so you can see your options.

Comparing cards for United Airlines flights

Aside from using a United Airlines credit card, you could also pay using an all-around travel rewards card that earns transferable rewards on travel purchases.

Six of the cards on the following list are cobranded cards from Chase; Chase's United cards underwent a refresh in March that primarily raised annual fees and added statement credits.

Here are 10 cards you might pay with and what you could get when using these cards.

Curious about which of these cards you're eligible for? Check out our guide to credit card application restrictions.

*The bonus value is estimated based on TPG's April 2025 valuations, not by the card issuer.

**The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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United Club Card

New cardholders can earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's July 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $1,260.

The card carries a $695 annual fee but comes with premium perks, such as access to over 45 United Clubs worldwide.

Additionally, the card has many United-specific benefits that will enhance your flying experience, such as two free checked bags, Premier Access (which includes priority check-in, security screening and checked bag delivery, where available) and 25% back on inflight purchases.

It also earns 9 miles per dollar spent on United flights, which is a 11.7% return on spending per our valuations, the highest return on the market for United purchases.

To learn more, check out our full review of the United Club Card.

Apply here: United Club Card

Related: Is the United Club Card annual fee worth it?

United Quest Card

New cardholders can earn 70,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. According to TPG's July 2025 valuations, this welcome offer's bonus miles are worth $910.

The Quest Card has a $350 annual fee but comes with an array of benefits to enhance your United travel experience, including two free checked bags, Premier Access (where available), 25% back on inflight purchases and $200 in United TravelBank cash annually.

Cardholders also earn 8 miles per dollar spent on United flight purchases, a 10.4% return on spending based on our valuations.

To learn more, check out our full review of the United Quest Card.

Apply here: United Quest Card

Related: Who should (and shouldn't) get the United Quest Card?

United Explorer Card

New cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. According to TPG's July 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $780.

The United Explorer Card is best for casual United flyers or a frequent flyer who doesn't need the benefits of United's more expensive cards. It has a $0 introductory annual fee in the first year and a $150 annual fee afterward.

When flying United and holding this card, you'll receive a free checked bag, priority boarding and 25% back on inflight purchases. Cardholders also receive two United Club passes each account year; Olivia Mittak, a credit cards editor at TPG, loves using these to get into Portland International Airport (PDX)'s United Club.

Explorer cardholders also earn 7 miles per dollar spent on United flight purchases, a 9.1% return on spending based on our valuations, a great return for a card with a modest annual fee.

To learn more, check out our full review of the United Explorer Card.

Apply here: United Explorer Card

Related: Why I'm actually not upset about the United Explorer's changes

United Gateway Card

New Gateway Card holders can earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. They'll also receive a 0% APR for the first 12 months (then a variable APR of 19.99% to 28.49% applies).

According to TPG's July 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $390.

The United Gateway Card has no annual fee. However, you'll only receive modest perks like 25% back on inflight purchases and 7 miles per dollar spent on United flight purchases when flying with United.

Based on our valuations, this is a 9.1% return on spending, a great return on United flights for a card with no annual fee.

To learn more, check out our full review of the United Gateway Card.

Apply here: United Gateway Card

Related: 7 reasons you should get (and keep) a no-annual-fee credit card

United Club Business Card

New applicants can earn 80,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. According to TPG's July 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,120.

Like the United Club Card, the Club Business carries a $695 annual fee, but cardholders do receive a United Club membership.

Additionally, cardholders receive many United-specific benefits, including free first and second checked bags, Premier Access (where available) and 25% back on inflight purchases.

Club Business cardholders earn 7 miles per dollar spent on United flight purchases, a 9.1% return on spending based on our valuations.

Learn more: United Club Business

United Business Card

New applicants can earn 75,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. According to TPG's April 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $980.

The United Business Card carries a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150, but has plenty of perks to enhance your travel experience when flying United, including a free checked bag, two one-time United Club passes each account anniversary (cardholder or authorized must be present to redeem), priority boarding and 25% back on inflight purchases.

Additionally, cardholders earn 7 miles per dollar spent on United flight purchases, a 9.1% return on spending based on our valuations.

To learn more, check out our full review of the United Business Card.

Apply here: United Business Card

Related: United Business Card vs. United Club Business Card: Which should you get?

The Platinum Card from American Express

New Amex Platinum Card members can find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. According to TPG's April 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth up to $3,500.

The Amex Platinum has a hefty $895 annual fee but comes with numerous benefits to help cardmembers justify it.

While you won't get any United-specific benefits when you fly, eligible cardmembers do receive access to the Global Lounge Collection, the most extensive airport lounge network by any card issuer. Cardmembers also receive extensive travel protections and an up to $200 per calendar year airline statement credit (enrollment required).

With the airline statement credit, you have to designate one airline, which could be United. The statement credit can cover miscellaneous fees such as baggage, seat selection, inflight purchases and day passes to the United Club, which can be useful if you don't hold United MileagePlus elite status and already receive many of these benefits.

The Amex Platinum earns 5 points per dollar spent on airline purchases booked directly or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 of spending each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), which equates to a 10% return on spending according to our valuations when you book flights directly with United.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.

Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express

Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Currently, new cardholders can earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. According to TPG's April 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $2,563.

If you're a frequent luxury traveler (perhaps you're a regular flyer of United Polaris), you may be looking for a flexible currency card with premium benefits. Despite the Sapphire Reserve's steep $795 annual fee, many frequent travelers will value this card's benefits. Cardholders receive a $300 annual travel credit that can be applied to virtually any travel purchase, including United flights.

While you won't have United Club access, this card comes with Priority Pass access to enter more than 1,700 lounges worldwide, and you'll have access to Chase's expanding network of Sapphire lounges.

You'll earn 8 points per dollar spent on purchases through Chase Travel℠, 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked direct, and 3 points per dollar on dining, making this card a powerful earner.

These points can then be transferred to one of Chase's 14 airline or hotel partners, including United.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Related: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth the annual fee?

American Express Green Card

New cardmembers can earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. According to TPG's April 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $800.

The Amex Green Card has a $150 annual fee and is a great option for frequent travelers, whether they fly United frequently or not.

While the card lacks United-specific benefits, you will receive an up to $199 Clear Plus statement credit per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required) that can expedite airport security, plus numerous travel protections.

The card earns 3 points per dollar spent on all travel purchases, including United flight purchases, which is a 6% return on spending according to our valuations. Amex isn't a direct transfer partner of United, but you can still book United award flights through partners like Singapore Airlines.

Learn more: American Express Green Card

Related: Is the Amex Green Card worth the annual fee?

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. According to TPG's April 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,850.

The Capital One Venture X comes with a $395 annual fee. While you won't get any United-specific perks, you will receive a great welcome bonus, an annual $300 Capital One Travel statement credit, 10,000 anniversary miles and a plethora of travel protections.

You'll earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, which is a 3.7% return on spending based on our valuations.

Additionally, you can use your miles to "pay" for any recent travel-related purchases (such as United flights) at a fixed rate of 1 cent each. You can also transfer your miles directly to any of Capital One's 15-plus transfer partners, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, which you can use to book United flights.

If you don't want to pay such a high annual fee, you could also consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which has a $95 annual fee and also earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, including United flights.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture X.

Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Related: Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Capital One Venture X: Worth the extra $300 in annual fees?

Bottom line

There's no shortage of card options to use when paying for United flights. The cobranded option yields higher returns on United flights and offers better benefits when flying United, but more general travel rewards credit cards can earn at similar rates and offer more flexibility with how you can redeem rewards.

Before paying with a certain card, evaluate whether you would be sacrificing benefits to earn more valuable rewards and how important this is to you.

Related: 4 reasons someone in your family needs a United credit card

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.