AFAR partners with CreditCards.com and may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Compensation may impact how an offer is presented. Our coverage is independent and objective, and has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of the AFAR editorial team.
United Airlines has the world’s second largest fleet of aircraft and the most comprehensive airline route network on the planet, serving 354 destinations across 48 countries and counting. Because of United’s strong industry presence, many turn to its portfolio of cobranded credit cards to earn bonus miles and to get travel perks like free checked baggage on United-operated flights. Here, the scoop on United’s credit cards and the increased welcome bonuses.
The differences and commonalities between United’s branded credit cards
All of United’s cards are solid but choosing which one comes down to personal preference. There are four personal credit cards: Gateway, Explorer, Quest, and Infinite (in order of annual fee, from $0 to $525). The differences reside in the annual fee and package of perks, credits, and rate of earnings.
All four credit cards are also offering increased introductory offers, with incentives such as more bonus miles or the opportunity to earn PQPs (Premier Qualifying Points) quickly. Each card grants bonus miles when spending on United Airlines and gives 25 percent back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights. Other than that, the four cards offer varied earnings on purchases and different travel benefits. Find out more below.
United Gateway℠ Card
Best for: The United Gateway℠ Card is best for those who fly United occasionally and want to earn some extra miles from a no-fee credit card.
Why now? Previous introductory offers for this card throughout 2022 and 2023 have alternated between 10,000 and 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months. From now until August 9, 2023, the bonus has been upped to 30,000 miles plus 0 percent APR on purchases within the first 12 months.
Welcome offer: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months.
Annual fee: $0
Earn miles: The card earns two miles per dollar on United Airlines purchases, at gas stations, and on local transit and commuting, including rideshares, taxis, tolls, and mass transit. Earn one mile per dollar on everything else.
Credits: Get 25 percent back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights.
Key perks: None (read: no free checked bags)
United℠ Explorer Card
Best for: The United℠ Explorer Card is best for those who fly United often enough to want free baggage but not often enough that they’d consider themselves a United loyalist.
Why now? Previous United Explorer introductory offers during 2022 and 2023 alternated between 40,000 and 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first three months. Until October 4, 2023, earn up to 60,000 miles and pay no annual fee the first year.
Welcome offer: Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Annual fee: There is no intro annual fee the first year, then it’s $95.
Earn miles: The card earns two miles per dollar on United purchases, as well as on hotels and dining, including eligible delivery services. Earn one mile per dollar on everything else.
Credits: Get a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit (worth up to $100) once every four years. Get 25 percent back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights.
Key perks: Visit the United Club with two, one-time passes gifted each year for your account anniversary. The primary cardholder and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free.
United Quest℠ Card
Best for: The United Quest℠ Card is best for those who use United as their preferred carrier but don’t necessarily need United lounge access.
Why now? The card’s 60,000-mile introductory offer has been bumped up by 10,000 miles. Also, since the card grants a $125 credit annually toward United purchases, it cuts the annual fee in half.
Welcome offer: Until August 9, 2023, earn 70,000 bonus miles plus 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
Annual fee: $250
Earn miles: Earn three miles per dollar on United purchases, two per dollar on all other travel, dining, and select streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Earn one mile per dollar on everything else.
Credits: Receive $125 credit on United purchases annually toward airline expenses, including tickets or things like baggage fees. (Terms apply.) Get a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit (worth up to $100) once every four years. Get 25 percent back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights.
Key perks: Cardholders receive up to two checked bags per flight for themselves and the same for one travel companion on the same reservation. Get 5,000 miles back in your MileagePlus account after taking a United- or United Express–operated award flight booked with miles—up to two times every anniversary year.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Best for: The United Club℠ Infinite Card is best for those who plan to use United Airlines as their primary carrier for the rest of 2023 and into 2024, want to enjoy the benefits of United lounge access, plus want to bank miles aplenty for future free flights with United and its Star Alliance partners.
Why now? If you travel often and stick to United and Star Alliance for all your flying needs, this card will allow you to rack up miles quickly and get access to United-branded lounges. The welcome offer for this card wavered between 75,000 miles and 80,000 miles in 2022 and 2023, so 80,000 is just about standard. However, the opportunity to earn 1,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months of opening an account is atypical for this card.
Welcome offer: Until August 9, 2023, earn 80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 PQPs after you spend $5,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $525
Earn miles: Get four miles per dollar spent on United Airlines purchases and two per dollar on all other travel and dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services. Earn one mile per dollar on everything else.
Credits: Get a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit (worth up to $100) once every four years. Get 25 percent back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights.
Key perks: Obtain United Club membership (valued at $650), which grants the primary cardholder plus two adult companions (or one adult companion and dependent children under 21) access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance affiliated lounges worldwide. Cardmembers receive up to two checked bags per flight for themselves and the same for one travel companion on the same reservation.
Which card to choose and why apply now
Thanks to increased welcome offers on United’s personal cards, now is an excellent time to apply for them. Which one you choose depends on how much you value the earnings structure and primary benefits versus the annual fee.
We are big fans of the United Explorer Card for its sizable introductory offer and myriad perks on United. (Paying no annual fee the first year isn’t bad either!) The United Quest Card is marginally stronger (and pricier) than the Explorer but between the two, the Explorer ultimately wins. Finally, the United Club Infinite Card is a must for those who always fly United and enjoy access to the airline’s lounges. Plus, that 80,000 bonus offer can easily score you a business-class seat to a far-flung destination.
This article was originally published in 2022; it was updated on July 12, 2023, with new information. While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any time, and may have changed or may no longer be available.
