Why United Airlines Credit Cards are the Best?

United Airlines provides four different co-branded credit cards, each with a different annual fee.

You may earn MileagePlus points with any of the four cards, which you can redeem for free flights or seat upgrades on United Airlines. In addition, the more you pay, the more you receive in terms of benefits.

The four cards include:

The United GatewaySM Card costs nothing.
The UnitedSM Explorer Card has a $0 introductory cost for the first year, followed by a $95 yearly premium.
The United QuestSM Card has an annual charge of $250.
The United ClubSM Infinite Card carries an annual charge of $525.

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Rewards On Spending

Each United credit card provides you with additional points when you spend money with the airline directly:

United Gateway℠ Card

United Airlines purchases earn you two miles for every dollar spent.
For every $1 paid at petrol stations, you get 2 kilometres.
2 miles are travelled for every $1 spent on public transportation and commuting.
Every $1 spent on all other purchases earns you one mile.

United℠ Explorer Card

For every $1 spent on qualifying United products, you will earn 2 miles.
For every $1 spent on hotel purchases made straight from the hotel, you will earn 2 miles.
Every $1 spent on all other purchases earns you one mile.

United Quest℠ Card

For every $1 spent on United goods, you will earn 3 miles.
All other travel earns you two miles for every dollar spent.
For every $1 spent at eateries, you’ll get 2 miles.
For every $1 spent on select streaming services, you’ll earn two miles.
On all other purchases, you will earn one mile for every $1 spent.

Get 5,000 miles back in your MileagePlus account on your first anniversary if you fly on a United or United Express trip that you booked with your miles and use them to travel (up to two times every anniversary year).

United Club℠ Infinite Card

For every $1 spent on United goods, you will earn 4 miles.
For every $1 spent on eating, you will earn 2 miles.
All other travel earns you two miles for every dollar spent.
On all other purchases, you will earn one mile for every $1 spent.

Sign-Up Bonuses

Two of the cards provide new members the opportunity to earn an extra bonus if they fulfil the spending requirements: the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Citi Prestige.

Earn 20,000 extra miles if you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of having your account open with the United Gateway Card.
Earn 50,000 extra miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of having your account open with the United Explorer Card.
Earn 70,000 extra miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of having your United Quest Card account open.
Cardmembers who spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months after their account is opened will receive 80,000 extra miles from United ClubSM Infinite.

At the airport, you may take use of certain convenient benefits.

Baggage, Boarding, And Lounge Privileges.

United Gateway Card

The United Gateway Card does not provide benefits such as free checked baggage, early boarding, or access to the airline’s United Club airport lounges, but the cards with an annual charge do so.

United Explorer Card

The primary cardholder and a companion travelling on the same reservation are each entitled to one complimentary checked bag. Save up to $140 per round trip if you choose this route.

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees up to $100 in bill credit every four years when charged to the card are eligible for this benefit.

Every year, you’ll receive two complimentary airport lounge tickets. Day passes are $59 each, thus this perk is worth $118 per year based on the current exchange rate.

United Quest Card

An annual United travel purchase credit of $125 is available.

Two complimentary checked baggage per person for the primary cardholder and a companion flying on the same reservation are included in the price of the ticket. Save up to $320 per round trip if you book in advance.

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees up to $100 in bill credit every four years when charged to the card are eligible for this benefit.

United Club Infinite Card

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees up to $100 in bill credit every four years when charged to the card are eligible for this benefit.

Access to the lounge is unrestricted. A membership to the lounge on its own costs $650 per year.

Additional Travel Perks

Also included are a number of security features and bonuses that might come in helpful when travelling, such as lost luggage reimbursement.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

United Airlines credit cards make excellent travel companions while travelling overseas since they do not impose a foreign exchange premium on your purchases.

United in-flight purchases will earn you a 25 percent rebate.

When you use your United Airlines credit card to make purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi, you will receive a 25 percent statement credit.

Travel Protections

Insurance coverage for trip cancellation and disruption. If your vacation is cancelled or cut short due to a covered event such as illness or accident, you may be eligible for a reimbursement.

Insurance for auto rental collision damage. Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your United card and receive primary coverage for theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad. The United GatewaySM Card provides coverage throughout the United States that is supplementary to your own insurance.

No Blackout Dates

For United cardholders, there are no blackout dates to worry about when booking a ticket with miles earned through the card. When miles are applied to a flight operated by United Airlines, they can be used on any trip for any travel date as long as there is availability. Due to capacity restrictions, award reservations may only be available for a limited time period.