In the year 2023, United flew 165 million people. If every one of them had one of United’s credit cards, the amount of miles earned would’ve been wild.
If you’re flying United regularly, it makes sense to look into the Chase United cards. They’re built for people who stick with United, and depending on your travel habits, one of them might actually be a good fit.
Let’s look at which United card lines up with different kinds of travelers and how they compare to general travel rewards cards.
United Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses: What to Expect
Most United credit cards offer a chunk of miles upfront, but the details vary depending on the card. Here’s a breakdown of what you might see:
- United Gateway Card – Usually comes with 10,000 to 30,000 miles once you spend $1,000 in the first three months.
- United Explorer Card – Typically gives you 40,000 to 70,000 miles. You’ll need to spend somewhere between $2,000 and $3,000 in the first three months.
- United Quest Card – Offers range from 60,000 to 80,000 miles. The spending requirement is a bit steeper—around $4,000 to $5,000 in the first three months. Some offers also throw in PQPs (Premier Qualifying Points), which help with status.
- United Club Infinite Card – Expect 75,000 to 100,000 miles after spending $3,000 to $5,000 in the first three months.
- United Business Card – This one has some of the highest bonus potential. You’ll usually see 50,000 to 100,000 miles for spending $5,000 in the first three months. Sometimes, they break it into two parts—75,000 miles for the first $5,000, then another 75,000 if you hit $15,000 in six months. That’s a total of 150,000 miles if you’re going big.
- United Club Business Card – Offers typically land between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on whether you spend $5,000 or closer to $10,000 within the first three months.
To get any of these bonuses, you can’t already have the card or have picked up a bonus from it in the last two years. Chase is strict about that.
Best United Credit Cards in 2025 And Which One Might Actually Work for You
Here’s where we break down what each United card brings to the table—and what you’re really getting for the annual fee (or lack of one). If you’re trying to figure out which one fits your flying habits, this is where it gets real.
United Gateway℠ Card
If you’re not into paying annual fees but still want to earn miles with United, this one’s the lowest barrier to entry. You’ll earn 2x miles on United purchases, gas, and local transit (rideshares, tolls, trains, you name it). Everything else earns 1x miles.
You also get 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi on United flights and Club premium drinks.
The extras aren’t flashy, but they exist. Think basic rental car coverage and a bit of trip protection, like up to $1,500 per person for canceled trips and $6,000 per trip total for non-refundable fares if something goes wrong.
Pros:
- 2x miles on United, gas, and transit
- No foreign transaction fees
- Basic travel protection perks
- No annual fee
Cons:
- No free bags
- No priority boarding
- Travel perks are thin
United℠ Explorer Card
This is where things start to feel worth it for the casual flyer. The $95 annual fee is waived in year one, and you get quite a few perks that make up for it after that.
You’ll earn 2x miles on United purchases, restaurants, and hotels (if booked directly). Checked bags? You and one companion fly with the first bag free, which alone can cancel out the fee. Add priority boarding, two United Club passes a year, and reimbursement for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry/Nexus every four years, and you’ve got a well-rounded card.
You also earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) and get a shot at complimentary upgrades if you already hold United status.
Pros:
- Free first checked bag for you + 1 guest
- 2x miles on dining, hotels, and United
- 25% off in-flight purchases
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit
- Two lounge passes each year
- Lost luggage, delay, and cancellation insurance
Cons:
- Free bag perk only applies to you and one other person
- Doesn’t go beyond the basics for upgrades or elite travel
United Quest℠ Card
Flying United regularly and want something with more punch than the Explorer? The Quest Card bumps up the rewards and perks for a $250 annual fee but it pulls its weight.
You’ll get a $125 credit each year for United purchases, so that already helps reduce the sting. Add in 3x miles on United, 2x on travel, dining, and streaming, and solid insurance coverage, and it earns its keep.
The free first and second checked bag perk is a standout here. For two people, that’s up to $320 saved per round trip. Toss in 5,000 miles back every time you book a United award flight (up to 10k/year), and you’re getting real value if you’re flying often.
Pros:
- 3x miles on United purchases
- Free first AND second checked bags (for 2 people)
- $125 annual United credit
- Miles back on award bookings
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit
- Strong travel insurance
Cons:
- No lounge access
- No companion certificates or high-end luxury perks
United Club℠ Infinite Card
This is the luxury tier. If you spend a lot of time at airports or have elite status already, the United Club Infinite Card gives you the big perks, starting with full United Club lounge membership (normally $650/year). The card’s fee is $525, so it already beats the lounge cost if you’d be paying for that separately.
You’ll earn 4x miles on United purchases and 2x on other travel and dining. Like the Quest, you get free first and second checked bags and 25% back on in-flight purchases.
Perks go deeper with Premier Access (priority everything at the airport), IHG Platinum Elite status, Avis President’s Club, and a 10% discount on domestic United Economy award flights.
Pros:
- United Club lounge access included
- 4x miles on United
- Priority services at the airport
- Free checked bags for you and a companion
- Premium travel insurance with higher coverage limits
- Hotel and car rental elite status
Cons:
- High annual fee
- No Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit for business card version
- Still no companion certificate (some premium cards from other airlines offer one)
United℠ Business Card
Running a small business and flying United a few times a year? The United Business Card hits a nice balance. The $99 annual fee is fair, and it offers practical perks that are easy to use.
Earn 2x miles on United, dining, gas, office supply stores, and commuting. You’ll also get a $100 credit annually for United purchases and a $100 travel credit after making seven United purchases of $100+ within a year.
You’ll get free checked bags for you and one guest, priority boarding, two lounge passes, and a 5,000 mile bonus if you hold this plus a personal Chase United card.
Pros:
- 2x miles in all the places that make sense for business spend
- Free checked bags and priority boarding
- Two lounge passes
- $200 in potential annual United credits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Employee cards at no extra cost
Cons:
- No TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
- Perks don’t scale well for heavy corporate travel
United Club℠ Business Card
If you’re managing a business and flying United often, this is the top-tier option. Comes with United Club access, Avis President’s Club, and earns 2x miles on United plus 1.5x on everything else.
You’ll get the full spread: free first and second checked bags, priority airport services, strong insurance coverage, and the ability to earn PQP on spend. Insurance benefits include up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for cancellations and interruptions, better than most cards on this list.
Annual fee is $450, but it’s offset quickly if you use the lounge or fly frequently with checked bags.
Pros:
- United Club membership included
- 1.5x miles on non-bonus spend
- Strong insurance perks with higher caps
- Premium status perks for car rentals and hotels
- PQP earning potential
- Travel-friendly with no foreign fees
Cons:
- No TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
- Still no companion certificate
How to Pick the Right United Credit Card (Without Wasting a Slot on the Wrong One)
Before picking any of these cards, you’ve got to be honest with yourself. How often are you actually flying with United? That’s the starting point. The more time you spend in the air with them, the more value you can squeeze out of their cards, especially when you factor in perks and fees.
If you fly United a few times a year, the United Explorer Card is a solid middle-ground pick. It doesn’t ask much in terms of annual fee, and it gives you a decent list of perks: priority boarding, two United Club passes per year, 25% back as a statement credit on snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi during United flights, and a credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus every four years. That first-year annual fee? Waived. After that, it’s $95, but just checking a bag for you and a travel buddy on one round-trip flight already saves $140.
If you want more perks and you’re willing to pay for them, the United Quest Card takes it up a notch. You get everything from the Explorer Card, plus free first and second checked bags, which can save up to $320 per round trip for two people. You also get a $125 credit each year for United purchases, which helps cancel out the $250 annual fee. Just remember: if you never check bags, that perk won’t save you anything. In that case, you might be better off sticking with the Explorer Card.
Now, if lounge access is your thing and you want all the extras, the United Club Infinite Card is the top-tier pick. It includes full United Club membership (normally $650/year), which already beats the card’s $525 annual fee if you’re actually using the lounges. You also get Avis President’s Club status and IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite. If those perks matter to you, the card can easily justify its cost. If not? It’s overkill.
On the flip side, if you hate annual fees and don’t fly United all that much, the United Gateway Card is the no-fee option. But it doesn’t come with many useful perks. Most of the time, you’re better off getting a flexible travel card and transferring your points to United when needed.
One thing to remember with all of these:
Chase issues every United card, which means the Chase 5/24 rule is in play. If you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards across any bank in the past 24 months, Chase will likely deny your application.
That’s why using one of your 5/24 slots on the Gateway Card (which doesn’t offer much) is usually a bad call. Go for something like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which earns flexible points you can move to United at a 1:1 ratio. That way, you’re not locked in, and you’re still earning rewards you can use with MileagePlus without being stuck with a low-value card.
How to Actually Get the Most Out of Your United Credit Card
If you’re going to sign up for a United credit card, timing matters. You want to apply when the welcome bonus is at its peak and when you can hit the spending requirement without stretching your wallet.
Got a big purchase coming up? That’s your moment. Whether it’s travel plans, end-of-year shopping, or annual bills, putting those expenses on your new card can help you lock in the bonus. Some people even prepay bills like insurance. Just make sure it makes sense for your cash flow.
Once that bonus lands, don’t let the card collect dust. The real value kicks in over time. That means using the card consistently and making use of the perks built into it.
Start with the basics: use the 25% back on in-flight snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi, take advantage of free checked bags, and don’t forget about any United Club passes if your card comes with them. These perks are what help cancel out the annual fee, so the more you use them, the better the return.
Spending on the card regularly helps too.
More spend = more miles. And more miles = more award flights you don’t have to pay cash for. Simple.
That said, none of it matters if you’re paying interest. The moment you carry a balance, those rewards get wiped out fast. So if you want to win at this game, you’ve got to stay on top of payments. Pay in full. Pay on time. Every time.
That’s how you actually get your money’s worth with a United card, not just in year one, but long-term.
Should You Get a United Credit Card?
If you’re flying United often, then yeah, looking into one of their credit cards makes sense. The more you’re in the air with them, the more perks you’ll actually get to use. Priority boarding, free bags, in-flight discounts, lounge access. It all adds up if you’re flying regularly.
But if your main goal is just racking up points to use on flights (and you’re not loyal to one airline), you’ll probably get more value from a general travel card. The earning potential tends to be higher, and you’re not locked into one program.
If you’re figuring out which credit cards are actually worth it, or how people really use their miles, join our free Skool community. It’s packed with travelers, point hackers, and credit card nerds who share strategies that go way beyond what blogs cover.
We talk about cards like the United ones you just read about, compare notes on sign-up bonuses, and break down award redemptions without the fluff. Whether you’re just getting started or deep in the game, there’s something useful waiting for you.
Join here and get smarter about travel rewards without getting overwhelmed.
