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United MileagePlus Now a Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partner

Oct. 21, 2011
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3 min read
United MileagePlus Now a Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partner
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Update: As of April 2013, Chase Ultimate Rewards has added Virgin Atlantic as a new airline transfer partner.

The Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the points program behind their popular Sapphire Preferred and Ink Bold cards, just added United as a 1:1 instant transfer partner. This is a great addition because it guarantees that there will be a Star Alliance transfer partner once the Continental Onepass program is officially rolled into the United MileagePlus program in 2012. United has a pretty good frequent flyer program, allowing one-way awards - including on Star Alliance partners. No program is perfect, but I highlighted the best ways to take advantage of United awards here.

Ultimate Rewards is a direct competitor of American Express' Membership Rewards program and while Amex has a long history and more redemption partners, Ultimate Rewards has been gaining steam - especially with this announcement and with their recent addition of Korean Airlines as a transfer partner. The next transfer partner I'd like to see is Southwest, which isn't completely out of the question since Chase issues the Southwest credit cards ( like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card). I'd also like to see Chase start running transfer bonuses, like Amex frequently does with their transfer partners (like the recent 50% British Airways and Delta promos).

This announcement isn't a complete surprise. In fact, a savvy TPG reader recently tipped me off after they saw United as transfer partner on the ultimaterewards.com website. While it wasn't a full roll-out and they took it down soon after I blogged about it, I took it as a good sign of things to come. While this isn't that huge of a deal right now because Continental is currently an Ultimate Rewards transfer partner, Continental Onepass will no longer exist in 2012, so it's good to know that United will be a part of the program. It would have been embarrassing for Chase to not have a Star Alliance transfer partner, especially since they issue United's credit cards.

Hat tip to Mommy Points!

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at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.