While some of us are naturally born with a little extra cash in our pockets, there are many of us who are born with a little extra debt. But, with the right credit card, you can easily get your finances in order and free up some cash to pay off your debt. The best thing you can do is find a card that not only gets you the most bang for your buck, but also has the best possible features you could need.
Two new United credit cards were recently announced, one offering two free bags of free miles and the other promising a whopping 150,000 bonus miles.
You can earn up to 150,000 miles and 100,000 miles (totaling 250,000 points) when you apply for United credit cards. (Points are the most flexible type of frequent flyer miles.)
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CNN Underscored evaluates financial goods like credit cards and bank accounts based on their overall worth, but it does not evaluate all financial businesses or all financial offerings. We may be paid to drive visitors to partner sites like CreditCards.com, and this payment may influence how and where links appear on our site.
The United Business Card is now giving up to 150,000 bonus miles, split into two tiers: 75,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months after establishing the account, and another 75,000 miles after spending $20,000 in the first six months.
If you’re searching for a personal credit card, the United Quest Card offers up to 100,000 extra miles in two tiers: 80,000 bonus miles after $5,000 in expenditures in the first three months after establishing the account, with an additional 20,000 bonus miles after $10,000 in the first six months. The card comes with a $250 annual fee, as well as numerous credits and exclusive benefits – more on that below.
The United Explorer Card has no annual cost for the first year, then a $95 for the second year. New cardholders may earn up to 70,000 bonus miles, which are also divided into two tiers: After spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of your account’s existence, you’ll get 60,000 extra miles, plus an additional 10,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first six months.
Alternatively, for those who only fly United once in a while even when travel is normal, the United Gateway Card currently offers new cardholders an increased 30,000 bonus miles — 15,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open, plus an additional 15,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first six months.
If you’re a United frequent flyer, the United Club Infinite Card offers 75,000 extra miles when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months after establishing your account. This card has a steep annual cost of $525, but it comes with free access to the United Club lounge network throughout the globe, as well as a slew of other high-end benefits.
All five cards earn United MileagePlus points, which may be used for flights on United as well as the airline’s 20+ Star Alliance partners. While United’s website is excellent at locating partner airline inventory, which makes it simple to view route choices, locate seats, and confirm your next award trip, the airline’s website utilizes a dynamic pricing system rather than a set award chart to price award tickets.
All five cards earn United MileagePlus points, which may be used for flights on United as well as the airline’s 20+ Star Alliance partners. While United’s website is excellent at locating partner airline inventory, which makes it simple to view route choices, locate seats, and confirm your next award trip, the airline’s website utilizes a dynamic pricing system rather than a set award chart to price award tickets.
Given the high $20,000 threshold you must reach in the first six months after applying for the United Business Card to qualify for the full bonus, you need perform some projecting to determine whether your company has enough future expenditures to cover it. Remember, CNN Underscored advises that you only use cash, checks, or a debit card to make transactions that you would normally make using cash, checks, or a debit card. Don’t go into debt by paying credit card interest.
The United Business Card offers 2 miles for every dollar spent on local transportation and commuting, including train tickets, taxis, mass transit, tolls, and ride-share services, in addition to the sign-up bonus. It also earns 2 miles for every dollar spent on United Airlines is an airline based in the United States, at petrol stations, restaurants, and office supply shops, and 1 mile for every dollar spent on everything else.
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When you fill up your tank and pay with your United Business Card, you’ll earn 2 miles every dollar spent.
In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Reserve gets 3 points for every dollar spent on any travel, and Chase Ultimate Rewards points may be transferred to United at a 1:1 ratio. Both of those cards, however, have exorbitant yearly fees. To put it another way, you pay more for the opportunity to make more.
You’ll also get a free checked bag when flying United (and one for a companion on the same reservation), a pair of one-time United Club lounge passes each year (worth $59 each otherwise), 25% back on United in-flight purchases, and priority boarding on United-operated flights if you have the United Business Card.
And there’s one benefit for frequent United fliers that effectively wipes out the credit card’s already-low $99 annual fee: Cardholders who charge seven $100 or more United flight purchases to their card will get a $100 yearly United travel credit.
You may also add staff cards at no extra cost and establish specific spending restrictions on a per-card basis, which is a crucial feature for company owners. This enables owners to earn miles from their workers’ spending (though be aware that savvy employees may push to use their own cards, where they earn points and miles themselves, and expense the purchases instead). The United Business Card also has no international transaction fees, making it safe to use for transactions made outside of the United States.
If you currently have a personal United credit card offered by Chase, or if one of the personal United credit card options below piques your interest, here’s another additional benefit to consider. When you have both the United Business Card and a personal Chase United credit card, United will give you 5,000 extra miles each year as a “better together” incentive.
While the 100,000 extra miles will likely be the first thing most people notice about this relatively new credit card, the United Quest Card also comes with a number of benefits that may be beneficial if you’re a frequent United traveler.
While the 100,000 extra miles will likely be the first thing most people notice about this relatively new credit card, the United Quest Card also comes with a number of benefits that may be beneficial if you’re a frequent United traveler.
Then, beginning with your second year with the United Quest Card, anytime you book a United or United Express flight using United points, you’ll get 5,000 miles back in your account, up to two times each year. To receive the 5,000 miles back, the award trip doesn’t even have to cost 5,000 miles, so if you book United awards even twice a year, you may take advantage of this incentive.
Simply by using the card, you may earn even more United points. The United Quest Card gives you 3 miles for every dollar spent on United purchases, 2 miles for every dollar spent at restaurants, certain streaming services, and all other travel, and 1 mile for every dollar spent on everything else.
Additionally, if you have the United Quest Card, you will be allowed to check both a first and second bag for free while flying on a United aircraft. This benefit also applies to a companion traveling on the same reservation as you, which may result in significant savings.
Other benefits of the United Quest Card include a $100 fee credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, priority boarding when flying United, 25% back on United in-flight purchases, 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) for every $12,000 spent on purchases with the card (up to 3,000 PQPs per calendar year), and no foreign transaction fees.
Overall, it’s a good deal for those who are loyal to United but aren’t road warriors who plan to fly often after the epidemic has passed and flying resumes. Those who intend to fly with United at least once a month should look into the United Club Infinite Card, while casual travelers looking to earn United points can check into this next choice…
Domestic United award flights start at 5,000 miles one-way, so 70,000 extra miles from your own United Explorer Card might cover 14 tickets at the lowest cost, allowing you to take your whole family on a much-needed trip later this year or in 2021.
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If you’re daydreaming about how badly you need a vacation, United miles could come in handy.
With the United Explorer Card, you’ll earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on United, as well as in restaurants (including qualified delivery services) and on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel. The card then earns one mile for every dollar spent on anything else.
These earnings rates, however, aren’t always the top in class. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, for example, rewards 2 points per dollar on meals and all travel — not just United flights or hotels — and you can convert Chase points to United miles at a 1:1 ratio, as well as to 12 other airline and hotel partners.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is reviewed by CNN Underscored.
However, you’ll receive a number of benefits with the United Explorer Card that you won’t get with the Chase Sapphire Preferred while flying United. The card comes with a free checked bag for you (and one for a companion on the same reservation), two one-time United Club lounge tickets per year (worth $59 each), 25% back on United in-flight purchases, and priority boarding on United-operated flights.
Additionally, for every $12,000 spent on the United Explorer Card, you may earn 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward United elite status (up to Platinum level), up to a maximum of 1,000 PQPs each calendar year. However, CNN Underscored advises that you only use cash, checks, or a debit card to make transactions that you would normally make using cash, checks, or a debit card. Don’t get yourself into debt attempting to get airline elite membership by using a credit card.
The United Explorer Card also has no foreign transaction fees, so whenever international travel begins, you may use it with confidence. Those looking to enroll in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck may enjoy the card’s cost refund of up to $100.
If you aren’t a frequent traveler but want to earn airline miles, the new United Gateway Card, which replaced the previous United TravelBank Card, is a good option. It doesn’t offer all of the benefits of the United Explorer card, but it also doesn’t have an annual fee, so you can earn United miles without having to pay for the card every year.
The United Gateway Card has a variety of bonus areas when it comes to earning miles. Every dollar spent on United Airlines purchases, at petrol stations, and on local transportation and commuting gets you 2 miles. On all other transactions, the card gets one mile every dollar spent.
The United Explorer card offers one benefit that transfers to the United Gateway card: a 25% discount on all United in-flight purchases. Surprisingly, the card has no international transaction fees, which is uncommon for a card with no annual charge, but very welcome.
United Airlines
The United Club Infinite Card gives you free admission to airport lounges like the United Club at Chicago’s O’Hare.
If you’re a United fan who traveled on the airline often before the epidemic, or if you intend to use it as your main carrier once flying resumes, the United Club Infinite Card may be well worth the money.
You’ll earn the same 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and qualifying food delivery services with the United Club Infinite Card as you do with the United Explorer Card. In addition, you’ll earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on travel (not just hotels) and 4 miles for every dollar spent on United goods, plus 1 mile for every dollar spent on anything else.
In addition, the United Club Infinite Card comes with not one, but two free checked bags for you and a companion on the same reservation when flying United, as well as Premier Access — which includes priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding, and baggage handling — and 25% back on United in-flight purchases.
You’ll also get a $100 fee refund when applying for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, 500 Premier Qualifying Points toward United elite status (up to Platinum level) for every $12,000 spent on the card (up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year), and no foreign transaction fees.
Finally, if you have both the United Club Infinite Card — or any of the four personal United credit cards — and the United Business Card, you will get 5,000 bonus miles on your United Business Card anniversary each year.
Just be wary about applying for too many credit cards in a row, and be aware of the restrictions that banks have in place for individuals who apply for a lot of cards in a short period of time. For example, Chase, which provides United credit cards, will not approve any new credit cards for individuals who have previously received five or more credit cards from all banks in the preceding 24 months. Chase’s 5/24 rule is how it’s referred to informally.
The top Chase credit cards for cash back and travel incentives are listed below.
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With the future in mind, consider taking advantage of these United credit card deals.
Planes have returned to the sky in recent months, bringing travel back to life. Even if you don’t believe you’ll be ready to board an aircraft again in the next several months, you can obtain one of these cards now, get the sign-up bonus, and spend the miles later, not only on United flights but on any of United’s airline partners.
So, if you want to get up to 150,000 bonus miles on the United Business Card, 100,000 bonus miles on the United Quest Card, 70,000 bonus miles on the United Explorer Card, 30,000 bonus miles on the United Gateway Card with no annual fee, or 75,000 bonus miles on the United Club Infinite Card, take a look at these offers and see if they make sense for you.
So, if you want to get up to 150,000 bonus miles on the United Business Card, 100,000 bonus miles on the United Quest Card, 70,000 bonus miles on the United Explorer Card, 30,000 bonus miles on the United Gateway Card with no annual fee, or 75,000 bonus miles on the United Club Infinite Card, take a look at these offers and see if they make sense for you.
So, if you want to get up to 150,000 bonus miles on the United Business Card, 100,000 bonus miles on the United Quest Card, 70,000 bonus miles on the United Explorer Card, 30,000 bonus miles on the United Gateway Card with no annual fee, or 75,000 bonus miles on the United Club Infinite Card, take a look at these offers and see if they make sense for you.
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Want to earn some extra miles? If you have a United card, you can use it to earn bonus miles on some purchases. The cards are designed to give you anywhere from 100-150,000 miles, depending on which one you apply for. (Each card has a different bonus; for example, the United Express Card gives you 50,000 bonus miles, the United Mileage Plus Explorer Card gives you 50,000 bonus miles, and the United Mileage Plus Explorer Card gives you 75,000 bonus miles. The United Mileage Plus Club Card gives you 100,000 bonus miles, the United Mileage Plus Club Card gives you 150,000 bonus miles, and the United Mileage Plus Business Card gives you 200,000 bonus miles.. Read more about best united credit card and let us know what you think.
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