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If you’ve been cooped up all winter and think it’s about time you start planning your vacations for next year, you’re not alone. Although your mileage balance may have been on vacation and not increasing over the past few months, United Airlines and Chase are out with a limited-time offer to jump-start your account balance.
For a limited time, you have the chance to earn tens of thousands of extra miles with four limited welcome bonuses, making your trip to Europe, South America, Asia and beyond a real possibility.
What’s the United Airlines Limited Time Credit Card Offer?
United Airlines offers four credit cards for each type of passenger. Whether you’re a single-minded traveler who takes a trip only once a year or a road warrior who knows the ins and outs of every major air hub, there’s a card to suit your style.
From now until August 7, you can get anywhere from 30,000 bonus miles 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 participating in this limited-time offer has unique ways to earn miles and even more specialized features than ever before.
United Gatewayâ„ Card
United Airlines’ top frequent flyer card, the United Gatewayâ„ Card, offers an additional 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months of card membership.
United Gatewayâ„ Card
Introductory bonus
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Regular APR | 21.24%–28.24% variable APR |
While there’s no annual fee, the lack of checked bag benefits or other perks of flying with the United Gatewayâ„ card leaves us hungry for more.
Reward rates
- 2x2X miles on United® purchases, including tickets, Economy Plus, in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, baggage fees and other United purchases.
- 2x2X miles on local transportation and commuting, including ride-sharing services, taxis, train tickets, tolls and mass transit.
- 1x1X miles on all other purchases
- United Benefits: 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases on United-operated flights and on premium Club beverages when you pay with your Gateway card
- Other Benefits: Car Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty
- Fee for foreign transactions: None
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You’ll earn a flat 2 United miles per dollar on your purchases at United Airlines, gas stations, and even local transportation. If you’re looking to make a large purchase and want extra time to pay it off, you’ll get 0% APR for the first 12 months on purchases, then a variable APR of 21.99% – 28.99% will apply.
For more information, see our United Gateway card overview.
Unitedâ„ Explorer Card
A great card for casual United travelers and United enthusiasts alike, this card’s welcome bonus is a whopping 60,000 miles after spending just $3,000 in the first 3 months of card membership. On top of that, the annual fee is waived the first year, giving you a break from the $95 annual fee while you rack up all those extra miles.
Unitedâ„ Explorer Card
Introductory bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
| Annual fee | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95) |
| Regular APR | 21.24%–28.24% variable APR |
For United Airline frequent flyers, the United℠Explorer Card offers helpful benefits—like a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and TSA PreCheck statement credit. In addition, cardholders receive essential travel protections such as lost baggage allowance and trip cancellation insurance.
Reward rates
- 2x2x miles on restaurants (including eligible delivery services), hotel stays and United® purchases (including tickets, in-flight meals, beverages and Wi-Fi, Economy Plus® and more)
- 1x1x miles for all other purchases
- United perks: 25% cashback on in-flight purchases, checked baggage allowance, expanded availability of Saver award tickets
- Travel Benefits: Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit, trip cancellation and interruption protection
- Fee for foreign transactions: None
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Your first bag flies free with you and you’ll be able to board before cardholders, meaning you’ll have a better chance of getting some overhead space for your carry-on bag. Earning miles is easy with 2 miles per dollar earned on United Airlines, dining and hotel reservations.
If you arrive at the airport early and want some time to relax, two United Club lounge passes are included as an added benefit. You’ll be able to enjoy a selection of food and drinks before you take off and relax in a private club members-only area.
Check out ours full review of the Unitedâ„ Explorer Card.
United Questâ„ Card
A step up from the Unitedâ„ Explorer Card, both in benefits and price, is the United Questâ„ Card. You can earn a whopping 70,000 bonus miles after spending just $4,000 in your first 3 months of card membership, along with 500 PQP, Premier Qualifying Points, to help you reach your next level in elite status.
United Questâ„ Card
Introductory bonus
Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier Qualifying Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
| Annual fee | 250 dollars |
| Regular APR | 21.24%–28.24% variable APR |
Your earnings on United purchases jump 50% to 3 miles per dollar spent versus 2 miles on the other two previous cards. The higher $250 annual fee is also slightly offset by the offer of a $125 annual credit on United purchases and your first two checked bags free on United flights.
Check out ours full overview of the United Quest card.
United Clubâ„ Infinite Card
If United lounges are your happy place, then this card needs a place in your wallet. Your card comes with a great welcome bonus of 90,000 miles and United Club membership, giving you a quiet area at busy airports around the world with United Airlines.
United Clubâ„ Infinite Card
Introductory bonus
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
| Annual fee | 525 dollars |
| Regular APR | 21.24%–28.24% variable |
The 90,000 mile welcome bonus requires slightly more spending than the Quest card, $5,000 instead of $4,000, but if you can swing the extra spend, it’s a big jump over other cards.
Mileage earnings increase even more with United Airlines purchases, rising to 4 miles per dollar instead of 3 or 2 miles with other cards. You’ll get the same 2 miles per dollar on dining, but now you’ll get 2 miles per dollar spent on all travel.
Other added benefits included with this premium credit card are Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit, 25% back on in-flight purchases and Premier Access travel purchases such as priority check-in, security, boarding and baggage handling.
Check out ours full review of the United Clubâ„ Infinite Card.
Where can I go with my United Airlines miles?
With more than 210 destinations in the United States and over 120 destinations worldwide, chances are United Airlines can get you where you want to go. United have a nice site called theirs featured offerswhich rounds up the best deals on United flights using your miles. This gives you the possibility to search by city of departure or arrival and see all the offers.
Once you’ve deposited your welcome bonus into your account, the fun begins. Mileage prices vary, so be sure to check the latest flight prices before opting for special offers.
To take away
If you’ve been waiting to apply for a card to earn United Airlines miles, now is the time. Although this offer lasts until August 7th, the sooner you sign up, the better. This will allow you to reach the minimum spend required to receive the welcome bonus and use the miles to plan your trip.
Even if you don’t collect miles for your 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 you get there.
CardRatings is an advertising partner of Fortune Recommendsâ„¢ for credit card products. Fortune Recommendsâ„¢ and CardRatings may receive a commission from the card issuer.
Please note that card information is correct as of the date of publication, but is subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Contact your card issuer to check rates, fees and benefits before applying.
