Best United Credit Cards of September 2025
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Written by
Ben Luthi
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
The United MileagePlus rewards program offers frequent flyers a lot of advantages, including decent redemption value and a broad network of flights around the globe. Using a United credit card is one of the best ways to rack up miles to earn award flights. You may also enjoy a handful of perks to help you save money and elevate your travel experience.
As you get started on your search, here are our picks for the best credit cards for United miles.
Quick Overview: Best United Credit Cards
| Our Choice For | Credit Range | Annual Fee | Highlights | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Casual or Frequent United Flyers |
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
|
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 |
Free first checked bag when flying United
Full Review
More Details
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Frequent United Flyers Who Check Bags |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
|
$350 |
Two free checked bags when flying United
Full Review
More Details
|
|
United Loyalists Who Want Lounge Access |
Excellent
720 – 850*
|
$695 |
United Club membership
Full Review
More Details
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Occasional United Flyers |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
|
$0 |
In-flight discounts
Full Review
More Details
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|
Premium Perks |
Excellent
720 – 850*
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$795 |
Luxury travel card with airport lounge access & a bonus worth up to $2,500 in Travel Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Your points are worth up to 100% more when you redeem them through Chase Travel, making this bonus worth up to $2,500.
Full Review
More Details
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Rewards on Rent |
Excellent/Good
670-850*
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$0 |
Charge your rent with no transaction fee
Full Review
More Details
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Detailed Overview: Best United Credit Cards
Top Feature
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
20.49% – 28.99% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Free first checked bag – a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Earn a $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases with your United℠ Explorer Card within a calendar year
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Purchase APR
20.49% – 28.99% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 1,000 PQP
- 3x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
- Earn a 10,000-mile eligible award flight discount after spending $20,000 each calendar year
- Earn 2 global Economy Plus® seat upgrades after spending $40,000 on purchases each calendar year
- Get a jump start on earning Premier status with 1,000 Card Bonus PQP each year, awarded within 6 to 8 weeks after February 1 each year, starting in 2026.
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
20.49% – 28.99% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn 80,000 bonus miles
- 4x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- United Club℠ card membership – at least a $750 value
- Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and Premier Access® travel services
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases to use toward an eligible award flight – up to two times each calendar year
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Learn more.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then 20.49% – 28.99% Variable APR
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Earn 1x mile on all other purchases
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn 20,000 bonus miles
- 0% intro APR for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases & no annual fee.
- 2x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- 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 Gateway Card
- Earn 2 checked bags after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
20.24% – 28.74% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Earn 1x points on rent without the transaction fee.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
See Terms
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Earn 1x points on rent without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points in a calendar year. When you use the card 5 times each statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you’ll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.
Card Details From Issuer
- $0 Annual Fee
- Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
- Earns 3x points on dining
- Earn 2x points on travel
- Earn 1x points on other purchases
- Earn double points on the first of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points)
- Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
- Earn up to 5x Bilt points on Lyft rides when you link your Bilt account and pay with your Bilt card
- Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent payments, statement credits, toward a down payment on a home, etc.
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions
- See Rates & Fees
How To Choose the Best United Card for You
No United credit card is best suited for everyone, so it’s important to understand your needs and preferences to choose the right airline card for you. Here are some factors to keep in mind as you compare United credit cards.
Airline Loyalty
Co-branded airline credit cards offer some valuable perks when you fly, but they don’t offer a lot of flexibility with your rewards.
If you’re a dedicated United flyer, that might not be an issue. However, if you like to get the best possible price every time you fly or you want the flexibility to use your rewards for more than just flights, you might be better off with a general travel credit card. For example, cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Bilt Mastercard earn points you can transfer to United MileagePlus and other popular airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Travel Frequency
If you only travel once or twice a year, it may not make sense to get a dedicated United Airlines credit card. In this scenario, you may be better off with a general travel rewards credit card or even a cash-back credit card.
However, if you fly multiple times a year, the benefits you get from a United credit card may be well worth the annual fee.
Rewards Rates
Comparing rewards rates can give you an idea of how much you can earn with each card. In particular, pay attention to the bonus rewards categories and how they align with your spending habits.
Additionally, take a look at the welcome offer to assess its value, as well as the spending requirement to earn it.
Card Perks
In addition to the rewards program, it’s also important to compare the benefits each card offers. If you’re a frequent flyer, for instance, you may prefer the United Quest Card’s annual miles discounts and United travel credits.
However, if you also want a luxurious experience at the airport, it may be worth it to pay extra to get airport lounge access with the Chase United Club Card or Sapphire Reserve.
Whatever you do, it’s important to make sure that the value you get from the card’s benefits is enough to offset the annual fee.
Budget
Some of the best credit cards for United miles offer a lot of value, but that value can come at a cost. With the United Club Card, for instance, you’ll have a $695 annual fee. In comparison, the United Explorer Card charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
As you compare your options, make sure that you can afford the card that you choose.
Pros and Cons of a United Credit Card
If you’re considering a co-branded United Airlines credit card, it’s important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages compared to a general travel card that offers access to United flights. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Pros
- Valuable perks: If you’re loyal to United Airlines, you’ll enjoy some of the perks United cards provide, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, in-flight discounts, lounge access and Premier upgrades.
- Accelerated earning: United credit cards offer MileagePlus miles on every purchase you make. What’s more, you may earn bonus miles on certain purchases, such as United flights, eligible hotel stays, gas, local transit, dining or streaming services.
- Fast track to elite status: Some United credit cards offer Premier Qualifying points that you can use to earn elite status with the airline. Depending on how high you climb in the status tiers, you may enjoy free upgrades, better boarding position, more miles on flight purchases and more.
Cons
- Limited flexibility: Rewards you earn with your card will be deposited directly into your United MileagePlus account, and you can only redeem your rewards through United. While the airline offers non-flight redemption options, you may not get as much value compared to using your miles for flights and upgrades.
- No fixed value: The value of your United miles will vary based on the details of your redemption, and unless you’re adept at maximizing rewards, you may be leaving value on the table.
- Potential for devaluation: Airlines like United occasionally make changes to their rewards program that reduce the value of the miles you’ve earned. If this happens, you won’t have the flexibility to use your rewards with a different program.
Alternatives To Consider
Whether you’re not sold on United Airlines as your primary airline or you simply want more flexibility with your travel rewards, here are some potential alternatives to consider.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a general travel card that offers solid rewards on your everyday spending. If you redeem your Ultimate Rewards® points through Chase Travel℠, you’ll normally get a value of 1 cent per point. However, Chase recently launched its Points Boost feature that can increase the value of your rewards up to 1.75 cents per point on certain redemptions.
You also have the option to transfer your Chase points to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, including United MileagePlus. The card has a relatively affordable $95 annual fee and also offers hotel credits, partner benefits and trip protections to round out its value proposition.
Capital One Venture Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a minimum of 2 Capital One miles per dollar on every purchase you make, maximum flexibility with travel redemptions and a modest annual fee of $95.
When you’re ready to travel, you may use miles to book through Capital One Travel, or you can use the card to book with your preferred travel provider and request a statement credit within 90 days of the transaction. You can also transfer your rewards to several Capital One airline and hotel loyalty partners. While United MileagePlus isn’t on the list, some of its partner airlines are.
American Express Platinum Card
If you want flexible travel rewards and elite-level perks, The Platinum Card® from American Express, an advertising partner, should be on your radar. The card’s earning rates aren’t very strong, but you can use your rewards to book travel through Amex, or you can transfer them to a long list of American Express partners, including some airlines that partner with United.
You’ll also get a suite of premium travel perks, including complimentary airport lounge access, elite status with select hotel and rental car brands, airline fee credits, CLEAR Plus® membership credits and many more. That said, the card’s annual fee is a steep $695, so it’s important to make sure it’s within your budget.
What Credit Score Do You Need?
Credit score requirements can vary depending on the card issuer and individual credit card you’re considering. In general, though, United credit cards and alternative travel cards typically require you to have good credit or better.
According to FICO, good credit starts at a score of 670. However, credit card companies may have different standards. Before you apply for a credit card, it’s important to check your credit and, if necessary, take steps to improve it before proceeding.
The information related to The New United℠ Explorer Card, The New United Gateway℠ Card, The New United Club℠ Card, The New United Quest℠ Card, The New United℠ Business Card, The New United Club℠ Business Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Bilt Mastercard®** was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for these products.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best United Credit Cards
What is the best United Airlines credit card?
No United Airlines credit card is best suited for everyone, so it’s important to understand your budget, travel habits and preferences.
For example, frequent United flyers may prefer one of the airline’s co-branded cards, allowing them to take advantage of United-specific perks. However, people who want more flexibility may opt for a general travel card that allows transfers to United MileagePlus or its partner airlines.
Which airline credit card is most worth it?
The right airline credit card for you will depend on your travel preferences and budget. While United cards offer a lot of value, it may make more sense to consider co-branded cards for other airlines if you’re loyal to, say, Delta Air Lines or American Airlines instead.
Alternatively, you may compare cards based on specific perks, such as lounge access.
How much are 60,000 United miles worth?
United MileagePlus miles don’t have a fixed value. However, points and miles enthusiasts estimate an average value of 1.1 cents to 1.35 cents per mile, which gives you between $660 and $810 in value.
However, the value of your rewards will depend on the details of your redemption. If you have flexibility with an upcoming trip, consider checking the cost for different dates and destinations.
Which United card gives you lounge access?
For unlimited access to the United Club airport lounge, you’ll need to have the United Club Card or The New United Club℠ Business Card .
If you don’t want to pay a hefty annual fee, though, the United Explorer Card and The New United℠ Business Card offer two one-time passes each year to the United Club.
What is the 5/24 rule for Chase?
The 5/24 rule is an unofficial application rule set by Chase, which issues the United Airlines credit cards.
It means that if you’ve opened five or more credit card accounts over the past 24 months, you typically won’t be approved for most Chase credit cards, even if you’re otherwise eligible. Note that this includes accounts where you’ve been added as an authorized user.
How Do Our Critics Evaluate the Cards?
All of the credit cards featured on CardCritics™ are assessed using the same criteria. Our critics evaluate fees, interest rates, balance transfer options, introductory bonuses, rewards, additional benefits and the average credit score required for approval.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.