The 5 Best United Airlines Credit Cards [2023]

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Chase and United Airlines have five co-branded cards which lets you earn MileagePlus miles for spending. You can then redeem your MileagePlus miles towards United flights, partner flights, merchandise, lounge access, and many more. 

United’s credit card line up consists of a basic no-annual-fee card, a premium card with a higher annual fee, and three mid-tier cards with varying in-between annual fees.

So whether you’re an occasional or a frequent United flyer, you can find the best United credit card that will suite your needs. We have a lot to discuss, let’s dive right into the article. 

Best Overall Value: card_name (review)

Best for Lounge Access: card_name (review)

Best for Business Travelers: card_name (review) 

1. United℠ Explorer Card

Best Overall Value

2 United Club One-Time Passes Plus Free Checked Bags
United℠ Explorer Card
  • bonus_miles_full
  • 2X Miles on United Purchases, Dining, and Hotel Stays
  • 2 United Club One-Time Passes Per Year
  • Free First Checked Bags for Two People
  • Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus Credit
  • 25% Savings on United In-Flight Food and Drinks
  • Priority Boarding
  • Primary Rental Car and Trip Delay Insurance
  • $0 Intro Annual Fee, Then $95 Per Year

United Explorer

The card_name (review) is one of my favorite cards to keep long-term because of the great benefits when flying United, including:

  • Free first checked bag when you pay using the Explorer card;
  • Two free United Club passes each account anniversary;
  • Priority boarding for you and companions on the same reservation; 
  • Extra award space when redeeming your United miles;
  • 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United; and
  • Premier upgrades on award tickets.

Even if you’re not a frequent United flyer, the money-saving perks and travel benefits of this card can still make it a worthwhile choice.

Besides the airline-specific benefits, the United Explorer card offers purchase protection, extended warranty, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance, providing peace of mind while traveling.

2. United Club℠ Infinite Card

Best for Lounge Access

United Club Membership and IHG Platinum Status
United Club℠ Infinite Card
  • bonus_miles_full
  • 4X Miles on United Purchases
  • 2X Miles on Dining, Travel, Transit, and Rideshare
  • United Club Airport Lounge Access
  • IHG Platinum and Avis President’s Club Elite Status
  • Free First and Second Checked Bags
  • Primary Rental Car Insurance
  • Trip Delay and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
  • $525 Annual Fee

Click Here to Learn How to Apply

The card_name (review) offers United Club membership for the primary cardholder if you have a same-day boarding pass for travel on United, a Star Alliance partner, or a contracted partner.

You can also bring two adults or one adult and dependent children under 21 years of age as guests.

The card also offers 4 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Plus, you and one companion can get your first and second checked bags free on United-operated flights when you buy the tickets with your card.

3. United℠ Business Card

Best for Business Travelers

card_name

  • bonus_miles_full
  • 2X Miles for United Airlines, Dining, Gas Stations, Office Supply Stores, Local Transit, and Commuting
  • 2 United Club One-Time Passes Per Year
  • $100 United Travel Credit
  • Free First Checked Bag and Priority Boarding
  • Primary Rental Car Insurance
  • Trip Delay and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Click Here to Learn How to Apply

The United℠ Business Card offers nice perks on United Airlines, including:

  • Two United Club lounge passes annually;
  • Priority boarding for you and your companions;
  • Free first checked bag for you and one companion on the same reservation;
  • 25% back on in-flight purchases in the form of statement credits;
  • $100 Annual Travel Credit if you make at least seven United flight travel-related purchases, each totaling at least $100;
  • Anniversary bonus of 5,000 miles;
  • Premier upgrades on award tickets; 
  • Expanded award availability; and
  • Ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points for United elite status with spending.

4. United Quest℠ Card

Best for Upgraded Benefits

United Quest℠ Card
  • bonus_miles_full
  • 3X Miles on United Airlines
  • 2X Miles on Dining, Streaming, and Other Travel
  • $125 Annual United Statement Credit
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit
  • Two 5,000-Mile Anniversary Award Flight Credits
  • Free First and Second Checked Bags
  • Priority Boarding
  • Primary Rental Car Insurance
  • $250 Annual Fee

Click Here to Learn How to Apply

The Chase United Quest℠ Card is a travel rewards card that offers great benefits for frequent United Airlines flyers.

The Quest Card comes with several nice benefits to help offset the $250 annual fee:

$125 Credit: Each anniversary year, cardholders will receive a $125 annual United purchase statement credit that will help offset the $250 annual fee.

Up to 10,000 Miles back: Automatically get 5,000 United miles back into your account after taking a United award flight up to two times per anniversary year.

Two Free Checked Bags: Cardholders get up to two free checked bags for you and a companion on the same reservation when you purchase the flight with the Quest card.

5. United Gateway℠ Card

Best for No Annual Fee

No Annual Fee

card_name

  • bonus_miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • 2X Miles on United Purchases, at Gas Stations, Local Transit, Ridesharing, and Commuting
  • 25% Savings on United In-Flight Food and Drinks
  • Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty
  • No Annual Fee

Click Here to Learn How to Apply

The Chase United Gateway℠ Card is a good option if you’re looking for a no-annual-fee credit card that earns United Airlines miles.

With this card, you’ll earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, as well as at gas stations, local transit, ridesharing, and commuting.

Plus, you’ll get 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. There’s no annual fee with this card, so it’s a good option for budget-minded travelers.

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