Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
If you’ve been cooped up all winter and are thinking that it’s about time to start planning next year's vacations, you’re not alone. While your mileage balances may have been on a vacation and not growing over the past few months, United Airlines and Chase are out with a limited time offer to give your account balances a jump start.
For a limited time, you’ve got the chance to earn tens of thousands of extra miles with four limited time welcome bonuses, making your trip to Europe, South America, Asia and beyond a real possibility.
What is the United Airlines limited time credit card offer?
United Airlines offers four credit cards for each kind of traveler. If you’re a casual traveler who only hits the road once a year, or a road warrior that knows the ins and outs of every major airline hub, there’s a card that fits your style.
From now until August 7th, you can get anywhere from 30,000 bonus miles up to 90,000 bonus miles in the form of a welcome offer, and some cards will even waive the annual fee for the first year. Let’s take a look at each card and why you should consider applying for them now.
Which United credit cards are eligible for this offer?
Each of the four cards taking part in this limited time offer has unique ways to earn miles and even more specialized features than ever before.
United Gateway℠ Card
The best card for casual United Airlines flyers, the United Gateway℠ Card, offers an elevated 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months of card membership.
You’ll earn a flat 2 United miles per dollar on your purchases with United Airlines, gas stations, and even local transit. If you’re looking to make a big purchase and want some extra time to pay it off, you’ll get 0% APR for the first 12 months on purchases, and then a variable APR will apply of 21.99% – 28.99%.
For more info check out our United Gateway Card review.
United℠ Explorer Card
A great card for both casual United travelers and United enthusiasts alike, this card’s welcome bonus is a cool 60,000 miles after spending only $3,000 in the first 3 months of card membership. On top of that, the annual fee is waived for the first year, giving you a respite from the $95 annual fee while you’re racking up all those extra miles.
Your first bag flies for free with you and you’ll be able to board before non-cardholders, meaning you’ll have a better chance to get some overhead space for your carryon bag. Earning miles is easy with 2 miles per dollar earned with United Airlines, dining, and reservations at hotels.
If you arrive at the airport ahead of time and want some time to relax, two lounge passes to the United Club are included for you as an extra perk. You’ll be able to enjoy a selection of food and drinks before you take off and relax in a private space only for club members.
Check out our full review of the United℠ Explorer Card.
United Quest℠ Card
A step up from the United℠ Explorer Card, both in perks and cost, is the United Quest℠ Card. A substantial 70,000 bonus miles can be yours after spending only $4,000 in the first 3 months of card membership, along with 500 PQP, Premier Qualifying Points, to help you hit your next level in elite status.
Your earnings on United purchases jump by 50% up to 3 miles per dollar spent from 2 miles on the other two previous cards. The higher annual fee of $250 is also offset a little bit by offering you an annual $125 credit for United purchases and your first two checked bags for free on United flights.
Check out our full review of the United Quest card.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
If United lounges are your happy place, then this card needs its place in your wallet. Your card comes with a big 90,000 mile welcome bonus and a United Club membership, granting you a quiet area in busy airports worldwide with United Airlines.
The welcome bonus of 90,000 miles does require a slightly higher spend than the Quest card, $5,000 instead of $4,000, but if you can swing the extra spending, it does represent a huge bump over the other cards.
Miles earnings are increased even more on United Airlines purchases, growing to 4 miles per dollar instead of 3 or 2 with the other cards. You’ll score the same 2 miles per dollar on dining but now you’ll get 2 miles per dollar spent on all things travel.
Other ancillary benefits included with this premier credit card are a Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit, 25% back on inflight purchases, and Premier Access travel purchases such as priority check in, security, boarding and baggage handling.
Check out our full review of the United Club℠ Infinite Card.
Where can I go with my United Airlines miles?
With over 210 destinations in the United States and over 120 destinations worldwide, chances are that United Airlines can take you to where you want to go. United does have a handy page, called their featured deals, which rounds up the best deals on United flights using your miles. This gives you the ability to search by your departure city or arrival city and see all the deals.
Once you’ve got the welcome bonus deposited into your account, the fun begins. Mileage prices vary, so make sure to check the latest pricing on flights before you decide to act on any special deals.
The takeaway
If you’ve been waiting to apply for a card to earn United Airlines miles, now's the time. While this offer runs until August 7th, the sooner you apply the better. This will allow you to hit the minimum spend required for you to get your welcome bonus and use the miles to plan your trip.
Even if you don’t get the miles for a summer vacation, fall and winter travel is just around the corner. Whether you’re visiting a favorite city or exploring a new destination, United Airlines credit cards can help to get you there.
Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
