Chase United Airlines credit card benefits, explained
If you're a frequent flyer or just want to travel more, a travel credit card is a great way to earn miles toward your next trip and to enjoy a range of travel perks. With the family of United Airlines credit cards in particular, there are a variety of benefits for travelers, including many ways to earn United Airlines MileagePlus® miles. Learn more about all the Chase United credit card benefits to find the right card for you.
United credit card offers and perks
To start with, here are some of the United credit card offers and perks that are currently available.
- Earn miles: Each United card offers great opportunities to earn miles on travel, dining and everyday purchases. While every card has everyday earning capabilities, certain cards have accelerated earning opportunities to help you rack up points. Go to United Credit Cards site for the latest information.
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fee credit: Some United cards qualify for a statement credit of up to $100 every four years after Cardmembers complete either the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application and charge the application fee to their eligible United card.
- Bonus miles: United credit cards offer new Cardmember bonus miles. Go to United Credit Cards site for the latest information about bonus miles for each card.
- MileagePlus Program benefits: The United credit cards offer Cardmembers MileagePlus benefits, including no blackout dates and the opportunity to earn Premier® qualifying points on eligible cards.
- 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases: The United credit cards offer 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 United Card.
- Travel protections: The United cards listed below all feature Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver; coverage levels and amounts vary by product.
United credit cards options
There are four United personal credit cards, all with a unique set of perks.
United Gateway℠ Card: The benefits that come along with this card include:
- 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, local transit and commuting, and at gas stations
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 25% back on United inflight purchases and Club premium drink purchases
United℠ Explorer Credit Card: The benefits of this card include:
- 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, and on hotel stays when booked directly with the hotel.
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year
- Free first checked bag (terms apply)
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fee credit and priority boarding
- 25% back on United inflight purchases and Club premium drink purchases
- Earn up to 1,000 Premier qualifying points per year that can be applied towards your Premier status qualification, up to the Premier 1K level
United Quest℠ Card: Benefits include:
- 3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining including eligible delivery services, and select streaming services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 2 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits (terms apply)
- Free first and second checked bags (terms apply)
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fee credit and priority boarding
- 25% back on United inflight purchases and Club premium drink purchases
- Up to $125 annual United purchase credit
- Effective January 1, 2023, opportunity to earn up to 6,000 Premier-qualifying points per year that can be applied to your Premier status qualification
United Club℠ Infinite Card: Offers United Club℠ membership (up to a $650 value per year) and benefits that include:
- 4 miles per $1 spent on United purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining including eligible delivery services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Free first and second checked bags (terms apply)
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fee credit
- 25% back on United inflight purchases and Club premium drink purchases
- Effective January 1, 2023, opportunity to earn up to 8,000 Premier-qualifying points per year that can be applied to your Premier status qualification
- With Premier Access® travel service, additional perks include priority check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling privileges (where available)
Is the United credit card worth it?
United credit cards are a way to earn travel rewards for both frequent and occasional United flyers. These credit cards come with useful benefits when flying with United. What's more, you can also redeem your earned miles to fly with United Airlines partners.
Whether you should apply for a United credit card comes down to the value you get from it. Depending on how you use your rewards, you may pack a lot of value into one card by using your United credit card for your travel, travel-related and everyday purchases.
Find a United credit card
If you're a traveler who flies with United, the United℠ Explorer Card may be an option to consider. For starters, this card comes with the MileagePlus® program and card benefits that are ideal for the savvy traveler.
What are the United Explorer Card benefits?
The benefits that come with being a United Explorer Cardmember make travel with United more rewarding. These Explorer Card benefits include:
Reward points
Cardmembers can earn:
- 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, and hotel stays when booked directly with the hotel
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® , or NEXUS fee credit
Cardmembers will receive a statement credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS when charged to a UnitedSM Explorer Card.
Bonus miles
This card offers new Cardmember bonus mile offers. Go to the United Explorer Card site for the latest information.
Priority boarding
The primary Cardmember and companions on the same reservation will be invited to board United operated flights prior to general boarding.
Free first checked bag
The primary Cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free (up to $35 value, each way, per person) on United operated flights when the primary Cardmember includes their United MileagePlus® number in their reservation and purchases their tickets from United with their Explorer Card.
25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases
You'll receive 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 United℠ Explorer Card.
2 United Club℠ one-time passes
This card offers two United Club one-time passes after account opening and on each cardmember anniversary - over a $100 value per year.
Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
When you book through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection using your Explorer Card, you can enjoy complimentary guest privileges like:
- Daily breakfast for two
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Special benefits unique to each property, such as a dining or spa credits
- Perks available at select locations, like room upgrades and early check-in/late checkout (when available)
In addition to these card benefits, the United Explorer Card also offers travel and purchase protections, including:
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
- Trip Delay Reimbursement
- Purchase Protection
- Extended Warranty Protection
Visa Concierge
You have access to complimentary Visa Signature® Concierge service 24 hours a day. With the help of the concierge service, you can find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, make reservations for dinner and even get help sending the perfect gift.
United® MileagePlus Program
With your United Explorer Card, you'll be automatically enrolled to the United MileagePlus — the airline's loyalty program. In addition to earning miles for purchases made with your card, you can earn miles by flying with United, United Express®, Star Alliance™ and other airline partners.
Is the United Explorer Card worth it?
This card's mix of benefits and accessibility with a competitive bonus mile offer, as well as attractive benefits, set it apart from the rest.
If you're a loyal United flyer and don't already have Premier® status, the perks alone may justify the card's annual fee.
Then, with features like priority boarding, money back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases, a free checked bag and two United Club passes annually, the card offers exceptional value for United flyers. The card is also a great addition if you travel internationally, with perks like up to $100 statement credit to offset Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fees. Whether you're a frequent or occasional flyer, the United Explorer Card may be a great fit for you.
Learn more about the United℠ Explorer Card
If you frequently fly with United Airlines, you may benefit from having a United rewards credit card. Chase United credit cards may be suitable for both frequent and occasional travelers who book with United. These cards may also be a great option for people who are looking for extras like free checked bags, statement credits and more. With several cards to choose from, you're bound to find a United credit card that works for you.
What perks come with the United credit cards?
You may be wondering which United credit card is the best for you and your lifestyle. There are, currently, four United credit cards, each with a compelling set of perks. The four United Airlines credit cards include:
United Gateway℠ Credit Card
If you're an occasional flyer who's looking to earn miles on everyday purchases, the United Gateway℠ Card could be a good fit for your lifestyle. The card offers select perks for travelers including:
- 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, local transit and commuting and at gas stations
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 25% back on United inflight purchases and Club premium drink purchases
- MileagePlus® program benefits
United℠ Explorer Card
If you fly United a few times a year but don't have elite status, you may want to consider the United℠ Explorer Card. Cardmembers receive:
- 2 United Club℠ one-time passes after account opening and on each anniversary over a $100 value per year.
- Free first checked bag (terms apply)
- Priority boarding
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fee credit and Club premium drink
- 25% back on United inflight purchases
Cardmembers can earn:
- 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, including eligible delivery services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Up to 1,000 Premier® qualifying points per calendar year
- MileagePlus® program benefits
United Quest℠ Credit Card
If you're looking for the sweet spot between the United℠ Explorer Card and the premium United Club℠ Infinite Card, the United Quest℠ Card provides a blend of perks, ideal for travelers looking to redeem and earn miles.
The Chase United Quest℠ Card offers:
- Free first and second checked bags (terms apply)
- Priority boarding
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit 25% back on United inflight purchases and Club premium drink purchases
- Two 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits (terms apply)
- $125 annual United purchase credit
This card earns:
- 3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining including eligible delivery services, and select streaming services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Effective January 1, 2023, up to 6,000 Premier® qualifying points per calendar year
- MileagePlus® program benefits
United Club℠ Infinite Credit Card
Ideal for frequent travelers looking to upgrade their trip experience from start to finish, the United Club℠ Infinite Card offers an array of extras.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers:
- United Club℠ membership (up to a $650 value per year)
- Free first and second checked bags (terms apply)
- Premier Access® travel services, including priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling (where available)
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fee credit and Club premium drink
- 25% back on United inflight purchases
Cardmembers can also earn:
- 4 miles per $1 spent on United purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining including eligible delivery services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Effective January 1, 2023, up to 8,000 Premier® qualifying points per calendar year
- MileagePlus® program benefits
Which United credit card should I choose?
When deciding which United credit card might be right for you consider how often you fly with United and your travel benefit preferences.
With a card for every lifestyle, there is a United card for you. And whatever choice you make, using a United credit card is a smart way to earn miles and qualify for travel perks wherever you go.
