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United currently has limited time offers on 4 credit cards ending on 5/5 and an intro launch offer on another ending soon.
All of the cards have unique benefits, so which should you get?
That depends on which benefits you value and how much they would cost you otherwise.
It’s worth noting that you can get the signup bonus for each United card as long as you didn’t get the bonus for that exact card within the past 24 months and don’t currently have that exact card.
If you have a United consumer card you can change to any currently offered United consumer card and if you have a United business card you can change to any currently offered United business card.
It’s also worth noting that you can redeem United miles at a value of 1.5 cents per mile, though that can change at any time. That means you can use 6,333 United miles to offset a $95 annual fee, 16,667 miles to offset a $250 annual fee, etc. You can also partially offset a fee at the same rate. You have 90 days from when an annual is billed to offset it with miles.
It certainly makes sense to have a United card on top of a Chase Quadfecta strategy as just having the card makes your points more valuable. That consists of:
- Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card for mileage transfers and bonus value on points.
- A no-fee Freedom Unlimited or Ink Unlimited for 1.5 points per dollar everywhere.
- A no-fee Freedom Flex for 5 points per dollar in rotating categories.
- A no-fee Ink Cash for 5 points per dollar on wireless and office supply stores, including gift cards to stores like Amazon and hundreds more.
- Having a United card on top of the cards above creates a Chase Quinfecta as your United miles (and by extension your Chase points) become more valuable thanks to expanded award availability.
Here is a summary and a chart comparing what the currently available United cards have to offer:
- If you just want expanded award availability, go for the no-fee United Gateway Card. However you should get a premium consumer card with a higher signup bonus and downgrade the card after your first year as the higher signup bonus will more than offset the first year’s annual fee. Plus you can redeem miles to directly cover the annual fee and still come out ahead.
- If you also want to be able to get a free bag and bypass onerous basic economy restrictions, go for the United Explorer Card or United Business Card.
- If you will be able to take advantage of the Quest card’s $125 and 10,000 mile rebates, then the United Quest Card will effectively be cheaper than the Explorer card, plus you’ll get 2 free bags to boot!
- If you want United Club access, go for the United Business Club Card (Click on apply now to reach this card application) or if you want a consumer card, the United Club℠ Infinite Card
- Grandfathered cards like the old United Presidential Plus card (good for earning more PQPs towards United elite status) and the old consumer United Club card (similar to the current United Business Club card) can’t be had anymore, so think twice before you close those.
| United Gateway | United Explorer | United Quest | United Club Infinite | United Business | United Club Business | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | None | $0 Intro annual fee, then $95 (or use 6,333 miles) | $250 (or use 15,625 miles) | $525 (or use 30,000 miles) | $0 Intro annual fee, then $99 (or use 6,600 miles) | $450 (or use 25,714 miles) |
| Annual credit on United tickets and fees | $0 | $0 | $125 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Access to expanded saver and standard award space | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| United Club | No | 2 annual one-time passes | No | Full membership | 2 annual one-time passes | Full membership |
| Annual anniversary credit | None | None | Up to 2 rebates of 5K miles each when you redeem for a United award | None | 5K miles if you also hold any United Consumer card. $100 United credit for making 7 United flight purchases of $100. | None |
| Foreign transaction fees | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 25% back on in-flight purchases. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| First checked bag fee waiver for cardholder and companion, even on basic economy | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Second checked bag fee waiver for cardholder and companion, even on basic economy | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Free full size carry-on bag on basic economy for cardholder and companions | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority boarding for cardholder and companions, even on basic economy | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Premier Access Checkin, baggage handling, security, and boarding | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Allows the use of online checkin on basic economy for cardholder and companions | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Miles per dollar on everyday purchases | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on United purchases | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Miles per dollar on restaurant purchases | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on gas | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on transit, commuting, and rise sharing | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on hotels | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on office supply stores | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on streaming | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on car rentals | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Roadside Assistance | No | No | 4 free incidents per year | 4 free incidents per year | 4 free incidents per year | 4 free incidents per year |
| Return protection | No | No | No | $500/item, up to $1,000/year. | No | $500/item, up to $1,000/year. |
| Purchase protection | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $500 | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. |
| Extended warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Car Rental CDW Insurance | Secondary | Primary | Primary | Primary | Primary for business purposes only | Primary for business purposes only |
| Global Entry/Pre-Check credit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Baggage Delay insurance | No | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days |
| Lost Baggage insurance | No | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger |
| Trip Delay Insurance | No | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays |
| Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $10K/person and $20K/trip. | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $10K/person and $20K/trip. |
| IHG Platinum Status | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Avis Presidents Club Status | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| PQPs from spending | No | 25 PQPs for every $500 spent, up to a maximum of 1,000 PQPs for $20,000 spending with no cap per United account. | 25 PQPs for every $500 spent, up to a maximum of 6,000 PQPs for $120,000 spending with no cap per United account. | 25 PQPs for every $500 spent, up to a maximum of 10,000 PQPs for $200,000 spending with no cap per United account. | 25 PQPs for every $500 spent, up to a maximum of 1,000 PQPs for $20,000 spending with no cap per United account. | 25 PQPs for every $500 spent, up to a maximum of 1,000 PQPs for $20,000 spending with no cap per United account. |
| Premier upgrades with a companion upgrade on award tickets | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instant discount on select United saver awards | No | No | No | 10% discount | No | No |
Which United card do you have?
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51 Comments On "Which United Card Should You Get? Here’s A Comparison Chart!"
All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.
The Explorer card having Primary car rental coverage is excellent for a $95 fee card.
Sure is.
Doesn’t the CSP have primary for $95?
Yes, also a great card.
bh got approved for united business using your link! thanks for all the help
Congrats!
I tried applying for the Ink but got denied. The reconsideration hotline can’t find my SSN. Is there anyway to speak to a real person?
Can i upgrade my United explorer card to the Quest without a credit check or it’s the same as just applying for a new credit card?
No credit check for a card change, but also no signup bonus points.
Very timely, got the Quest flyer today in the mail. 2 questions: 1) as long as all the cards are tied to one UA account, the system knows what benefits you have when you book and check-in, right? 2) what reason might there be to switch from mileageplus club to united club infinite?
1. Yes, but typically United makes you purchase the ticket on the card to get the benefits.
2. Different bonus points categories, such as if you spend a lot on United.
got the 5k bonus on consumer card for having business card also even though i already closed it
Heh, nice.
When did you close it?
few months ago
How do I see if I still under the 5/23 or I am over 2 years?
Any free credit report you recommend?
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
Hi Dan
If one is United Silver status and flies Business, one gets 3 bags. If one gets the Quest card, are extra bags free( an additional two)?
Similar question, if flying basic economy domestic with silver status, one gets 1 free bag. Does that increase to 2 or 3 free bags with the Quest card?
Thanks!
No. You get 1 free bag with Explorer or Business or 2 free bags with Quest or Club. It doesn’t stack on top of free baggage allowances.
Hi, I have the United Explorer card that I just renewed a month ago for $95. I booked a trip to Israel, one way with cash and United Credits, the other way with miles. Would anything change on that trip if I were to get this new card?
Not unless you rebook those.
Thanks. That’s what I figured… If I rebook them i would just get United credit so I’d be back to square one, unless I want the extra bag and priority boarding.
What about no longer available Chase United Mileage Plus Select Visa? Can’t beat its 3 miles per $1 on United purchases, and always welcomed 2 miles per $1 on restaurants, groceries, and gas stations! 🙂
Lots of grandfathered United cards, but can’t compare every card that people can no longer get 🙂
I know 🙂 Chase will have to literally drag away this one from me!
If I have an explorer card, can I downgrade to a Gateway and then get the Quest Card to get the bonus. Any advantage to have an Explorer and Quest card?
1. Sure.
2. Club passes and more PQPs.
Actually the old consumer card is not as good as the United Gateway card. The old consumer card earns .5 mile per dollar on all spend. The Mileage Plus Select card earns the 3 miles/$ for United spend, 2 miles/$ for Star Alliance spend, etc. The Gateway card is far superior to the old consumer card, but not as good as the M+ Select card.
This chart is only for currently offered cards.
Is it possible to spend your way to status by having multiple United cards?
Yes, but the cap is 5K PQP and you still need 4 United segments.
INk fee card product change – when is it correct time ?
When fee billed ?
Wait x weeks ?
Will fee be refunded or pro rated ?
When the fee is billed. Refunded.
“It’s also worth noting that you can redeem United miles at a value of 1.5 cents per mile, though that can change at any time”
does that mean it can be redeemed for cash back or similar, or it can only be used towards annual fee?
Only for the annual fee.
@Dan
I think I saw in a different post that the Quest would get 10k UA miles refund
(of 16,667) on AF. DPs?
That makes the card really attractive and the SUB also makes it worth a 5/24 (no UA CC). I can get Sapphire SUB again in 2022 – P2 again later this year.
I just didn’t see anyone post a DP about getting the 5k/5k rebate on the AF.
Thanks
The 5K+5K rebate starts with your first anniversary.
Can you please post an update on Israel? Thank you ! Just want to know what entry is like for all visitors.
Update about what?
Nothing has changed:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/israel/israel-begins-reopening-entry-exceptions-vaccinated-recovered-relatives/
I guess no entry yet. Was looking at this article but reads similar to what you already posted.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/israel-allows-international-travel-vaccinated-tourists
Was hoping things would change as have tickets for wedding in June but not sure how likely will happen.
For someone who’s not flying a lot, nor just want to stack up miles so when will fly will be able to get the tickets free through the miles earned and also the benefits of the card having,
For such a person Which card is better the explorer since it has the first year free then just $95 for a year and I could also earn 10,000 miles for being referred from my wife (since if referring to the quest I’m only receiving 80,000 bonus miles) or the quest since you’ll still get more by receiving 100,000 miles and also if will fly within the first year will receive the $125 credit and rebate with other benefits as well and then downgrade it after a year?
Quest 100K+$125 for sure.
Dan, thank you for putting the chart together. Very nice. Before the Quest came out, was considering Business + Explorer. That would be at least 140,000 miles for $15k (split) spend in a total of 6 months. No annual fees 1st year – then downgrade Explorer to Gateway 2nd year. AF $99 going forward, but 5k bonus miles annually. Looks very comparable to Quest by itself at 100,000 miles for $10k spend in 6 months. But AF of $250 every year from the start ($125 with United purchases). Rest of benefits look similar too, except first option has a couple of Club passes annually. Same impact on 5/24. What is your opinion on these two options? Thank you.
On a ticket to Israel purchased with the Quest card, how many bags do you get for free?
2 or 3?
The first is already free.
You get 2 free. You don’t get 2 extra free.
If I got the United club card about 8 months ago and I paid my first annual fee. Now I want to downgrade that to the no annual fee card do I still need to finish a full year since I paid already one annual fee?
And I so I need to wait it’s a year since the day I was approved?
Thanks
I have United mileage plus card. I think it’s an older version. Does this card has expanded award availability?
I am looking to sign up for a United CC, either the Explorer or Quest. I don’t fly that often but like having the benefits for when I do. Seems to me that the best approach is to get the Quest now. The reason being that it comes with an additional 35k miles in sign up bonus so I can just pay the first time annual fee with 16,667 miles and still come out ahead by 18,333 miles. Plus I will still get the additional benefits that come with the card for the year and can downgrade to explorer at the end of the year. Am I thinking about this correctly? Is there any benefit to signing up for the Explorer card?
@dan Is this true?
How do you pay with the bonus miles if the fee is billed at the 1st billing cycle and the bonus doesn’t post until the cycle after you finish the spend requirement?
With existing United miles. Or transfer miles from Chase.
if i booked a flight not on quest cc. do i get 2 bags and benefits by presenting the quest card?
I’m looking in to flying NYC-HNL. I’d like to purchase 3 United tickets and upgrade to extra leg room (right now its $169-$215/each upgrade on the flights I’m looking at), get free checked bag (at least 1 per person), and get access to the club (at least 2x – there & back — not sure if flying again this year). Which credit card would you recommend? are there any new deals? The simple United Explorer? If i get the United Quest (but this doesnt have club access right?)- could I use the $125 credit on tickets as soon as I open or are those only later flights? Thanks so much!