Best United Airlines Credit Cards of September 2024
4.5
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
Up to 3X Reward Rate
3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases. 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, select streaming services & allRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee
$250
Regular APR
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Credit Score
Good/Excellent(700 - 749)
Our Expert Take
Frequent United customers will appreciate that the United Quest Card comes with an annual $125 United credit, rewards on travel and dining and travel protections such as primary car rental coverage and trip cancellation insurance.
Expert Commentary
Ben Luthi
Contributor
Ben Luthi is a freelance personal finance and travel writer. He started earning credit card rewards in 2013 and leveraged his passion into a writing career. He's contributed to dozens of other publications and companies in the financial and travel spaces.
Ben Luthi
Ben Luthi
Contributor
Ben Luthi is a freelance personal finance and travel writer. He started earning credit card rewards in 2013 and leveraged his passion into a writing career. He's contributed to dozens of other publications and companies in the financial and travel spaces.
Contributor
Don’t let the card’s annual fee scare you off. Even if you’re not a United frequent flyer, the perks can make this card worth your while, and the rewards rates are better compared to most airline cards.
Pros & Cons
- Up to $125 annual United purchase credit
- Earn up to two 5,000-mile award flight credits annually
- Two free checked bags for cardholder and a companion traveling on the same reservation
- Earn up to 6,000 Premier Qualifying Points per calendar year
- Primary auto collision damage waiver for eligible rentals
- Checked baggage benefit only applies to one companion
- Earnings for general purchases are only 1 mile per dollar
Card Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
- Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and priority boarding
- Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
- Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
- Member FDIC
Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best Mid-Tier United Airlines Card
United℠ Explorer Card
4.4
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
Up to 2X Reward Rate
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on allRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Regular APR
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Credit Score
Good/Excellent(700 - 749)
Our Expert Take
A top choice for casual or moderate United fliers; the perks can easily outweigh the annual fee. If you’re prepared to spend on dining and hotels in addition to United purchases, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar.
Pros & Cons
- Annual fee waived the first year
- Free first checked bag when you pay with your card and priority boarding
- Earn unlimited miles with no caps
- No blackout dates
- Seat limitations on Saver Awards
- Award flight pricing can be expensive
- No intro APR offer
- High regular APR
Card Details
- 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 $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Member FDIC
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
4.2
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
Up to 4X Reward Rate
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases; Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel andRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 80,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee
$525
Regular APR
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent(750 - 850)
Our Expert Take
United’s top-tier card offering ups its game with 4 miles per dollar earnings on United purchases. A suite of travel perks makes the card an even better value, with the United Club membership alone worth more than the annual fee.
Expert Commentary
Emily Moore
Credit Cards Writer
Experiencing the world through travel is a privilege, but affordability is a common barrier to entry. By sharing accessible tips on responsible credit card use, rewards programs and rewards hacking, Emily Jane Moore helps people with limited financial resources access meaningful travel experiences.
Emily Moore
Emily Moore
Credit Cards Writer
Experiencing the world through travel is a privilege, but affordability is a common barrier to entry. By sharing accessible tips on responsible credit card use, rewards programs and rewards hacking, Emily Jane Moore helps people with limited financial resources access meaningful travel experiences.
Credit Cards Writer
If reaching a higher status with United is a priority, the United Club Infinite all but guarantees it, as long as the card is used regularly. Cardholders also enjoy frequent seat upgrades (depending on route and availability) plus always-free United Club access. But these perks come with a hefty price tag.
Pros & Cons
- No foreign transaction fee
- United Club membership is worth more than the annual fee
- First and second checked bag free when you pay for your flight with your card
- Very high annual fee
- No intro APR offer
- High regular APR
Card Details
- Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United®purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and Premier Access® travel services
- 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
- Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
- Member FDIC
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
2.9
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
Up to 2x Rewards Rate
2X miles per $1 spent on United purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. 1 mile perRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 20,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Credit Score
Good/Excellent(700 - 749)
Our Expert Take
With its simple and respectable rewards rates, plus Visa Signature benefits, casual fliers who are loyal to United will find value in United’s only card with no annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on purchases with United, at gas stations and on local transportation
- Expanded United economy award travel availability
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
- Limited rewards potential due to few bonused categories
- No free checked bag or priority boarding benefits
Card Details
- 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
- Member FDIC
Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Summary of the Best United Cards
Credit Card
United Quest℠ Card
United℠ Explorer Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
United Gateway℠ Card
Credit Card
Best For
Credit Score
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
United Quest℠ Card
Best United Card for Miles Rebate
Good/Excellent
$250
Earn 60,000 bonus miles
United℠ Explorer Card
Best Mid-Tier United Airlines Card
Good/Excellent
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Best for United Club Access
Excellent
$525
Earn 80,000 bonus miles
United Gateway℠ Card
Best No Annual Fee United Card
Good/Excellent
$0
Earn 20,000 bonus miles
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
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