11 Best Cards to Boost Your United Miles and Perks

Earning Structure:

• 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services and takeout
• 2x points on other travel purchases
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 19.99%–28.24% variable
• Annual $50 hotel credit for bookings through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points bonus on prior year’s purchases

Key Benefits:

• Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to United MileagePlus
• Travel protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• No foreign transaction fees
• Access to the Chase travel portal for booking flights and hotels

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners. Travel bookings through Chase Travel℠ offer a 25% points value boost.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires good to excellent credit (FICO 670 or higher).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
Has a $95 annual fee, and the highest rewards rates apply only to certain categories.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers simple earning categories and flexible redemption, making it easy for new travelers to use.

Earning Structure:

• 2x miles on United® purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), gas stations, office supply stores, and local transit/commuting
• 1x mile on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $150
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.49%–28.99% variable
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• $125 annual United travel credit after five qualifying flight purchases of $100+

Key Benefits:

• Free first checked bag on United flights for the cardholder and one companion
• Priority boarding on United-operated flights
• Two United Club one-time passes each year
• No foreign transaction fees

Redemption Options:
Miles can be redeemed for United flights, partner airline flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires good to excellent credit (FICO 670 or higher).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
Rewards are most valuable when redeemed for United or partner airline travel, so flexibility is limited.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers simple earning categories and built-in travel perks that are easy to use without complex reward strategies.

Earning Structure:

• 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct
• 3x points on dining worldwide
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $795
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.24%–28.74% variable
• $300 annual travel credit each account anniversary year
• $300 annual dining credit (two $150 credits at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables restaurants)
• Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status through December 31, 2027

Key Benefits:

• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass™ Select airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fee credit
• Strong travel and purchase protections

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners. Travel bookings through Chase Travel℠ offer enhanced value per point.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires excellent credit (FICO 740 or higher).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
The high annual fee may not be worth it for those who travel rarely.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers simple earning categories and flexible point transfers, making it easy to start building United miles.

Earning Structure:

• 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays booked directly with the hotel
• 1x mile on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after meeting the spending requirement.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $150
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.49%–28.99% variable
• $100 United travel credit after $10,000 in annual purchases
• Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fee credit every four years

Key Benefits:

• First checked bag free for the cardholder and one companion on the same reservation
• Priority boarding on United-operated flights
• Two one-time United Club℠ passes each year
• Trip delay and baggage delay insurance
• Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage

Redemption Options:
Miles can be redeemed for United flights, Star Alliance partner flights, seat upgrades, and other MileagePlus® rewards.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires good to excellent credit (FICO 670 or higher).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
Best value is earned when spending on United flights, dining, and hotels; other purchases earn fewer miles.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers simple earning categories and clear travel perks that are easy to use without complicated reward rules.

Earning Structure:

• 3x miles on United® purchases
• 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and other travel purchases
• 1x mile on all other eligible purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQP after meeting the spending requirement.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $350
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.49%–28.99% variable
• $200 United travel credit each account anniversary year
• 10,000-mile award flight discount on each anniversary after qualifying spend

Key Benefits:

• Annual United travel credit
• Free first and second checked bags for the cardholder and one companion
• Priority boarding on United flights
• Two 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits per year
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance

Redemption Options:
Miles can be redeemed for United flights, Star Alliance partner flights, upgrades, and other MileagePlus® rewards.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires good to excellent credit (FICO 670 or higher).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
The best value comes from United purchases, so benefits may be limited for those who rarely fly United.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers simple earning categories and valuable travel perks without requiring advanced points strategies.

Earning Structure:

• 2x miles on United® purchases
• 2x miles at gas stations and on local transit/commuting
• 1x mile on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 20,000 bonus miles after meeting the spending requirement.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then 20.49%–28.99% variable
• 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases

Key Benefits:

• Earn miles on everyday spending categories
• No annual fee for holding the card
• Access to United travel protections
• No foreign transaction fees

Redemption Options:
Miles can be redeemed for United flights, partner airline flights, seat upgrades, and other MileagePlus® rewards.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires good to excellent credit (FICO 670 or higher).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
It does not include free checked bags or priority boarding, which are found on higher-tier United cards.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers a low-cost entry point to earning United miles without committing to an annual fee.

Earning Structure:

• 4x miles per $1 spent on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 spent on all other travel
• 1x mile on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after meeting the spending requirement.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.49%–28.99% variable
• United Club℠ membership for cardholder and eligible travel companions
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit every four years

Key Benefits:

• Complimentary United Club℠ membership
• Priority boarding on United flights
• Free first and second checked bags for the cardholder and one companion
• Increased award seat availability for MileagePlus members
• Premier Access® travel services

Redemption Options:
Miles can be redeemed for United flights, Star Alliance partner flights, seat upgrades, and other MileagePlus® rewards.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires excellent credit (FICO 740 or higher).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
The card’s benefits are most valuable to frequent United travelers, so occasional flyers may not get the same value.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers straightforward earning and redemption, making it easier for new travelers to use and understand.

Earning Structure:

• 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel®

Welcome Bonus:
Earn up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months (offer may vary).

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Pay Over Time APR varies
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (enrollment required)

Key Benefits:

• Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit with a selected airline
• Hotel elite status with select programs
• Comprehensive travel insurance protections

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed for travel through Amex Travel, transferred to airline partners (including Star Alliance carriers), hotels, gift cards, or used for statement credits.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires excellent credit (FICO 740 or higher).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
The card’s high annual fee may not be worth it for those who travel infrequently.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers simple earning categories and flexible points that can be transferred to multiple airline partners, including those connected to United.

Earning Structure:

• 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent each year in travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising on social media/search engines
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.24%–26.24% variable
• Includes primary rental car coverage, cellphone protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance

Key Benefits:

• High earning rate in common business categories
• Points transfer to United at a 1:1 ratio
• Built-in travel and purchase protections
• Cell phone protection when paying the bill with the card

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to Chase airline and hotel partners. Travel redemptions through Chase Travel℠ get a 25% value boost.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires a FICO score of 670 or higher.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
The 3x points rate only applies to the first $150,000 in combined bonus category spending per year.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers straightforward earning categories and an easy way to convert points into United miles.

Earning Structure:

• 3x points on dining
• 2x points on travel
• 1x points on other purchases
• 1x points on rent (up to 100,000 points per calendar year, no transaction fee) when you use the card 5 times each statement period

Welcome Bonus:
There is no welcome bonus.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Intro APR: 0% introductory APR for 12 months from the date of account opening.
• APR: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness
• Includes Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection, World Elite Mastercard Concierge Service

Key Benefits:

• Pay rent with no transaction fee while earning rewards
• Transfer points 1:1 to United MileagePlus and other partners
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection
• Cell phone protection when paying the bill with the card

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed for travel with airline and hotel partners, rent payments, statement credits, or even a future home down payment.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires a FICO score of 670 or higher.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
Rewards are capped on rent payments.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers simple earning categories and a direct path to United miles without complex rules.

Earning Structure:

• 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
• 1.5x points on eligible purchases in select business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to a limit per year)
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 18.49%–29.24% Variable
• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide through the American Express Global Lounge Collection®
• Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)

Key Benefits:

• Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide
• Annual travel credits for eligible purchases
• Airline fee credits for incidental charges
• Premium travel protections, including trip delay and baggage insurance
• 35% points rebate on eligible flights booked through Amex Travel (up to a cap)

Redemption Options:
Membership Rewards® points can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires a FICO score of 670 or higher.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
High annual fee and limited bonus categories outside travel may not suit all businesses.

Why it Works for Beginners:
The card’s transfer partners and travel perks make it easier for new points collectors to access United flights through alliance bookings.