Here is a comparison of the current sign-up offers for United credit cards.
| Card | Welcome offer | Offer value* | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees) | Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening. | Up to $1,200 (including the miles from adding an authorized user) | $695 |
| United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees) | Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs: Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening. | Up to $1,200 (including the miles from adding an authorized user; not including the value of the PQPs) | $150 |
| United Club℠ Business Card | Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs: Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening. | Up to $1,200 (including the miles from adding an authorized user; not including the value of the PQPs) | $695 |
| United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) | Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs: Earn 500 PQPs after your first purchase and 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening. | Up to $1,080 (including the miles from adding an authorized user; not including the value of the PQPs) | $350 |
| United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) | Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening. | Up to $960 (including the miles from adding an authorized user) | $0 introductory annual fee in the first year; $150 each year thereafter |
| United Gateway℠ Card (see rates and fees) | Earn up to 50,000 bonus miles: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening. | Up to $600 (including the miles from adding an authorized user) | $0 |
*Welcome offer value is determined using TPG’s November 2026 valuations and is not provided by nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
United Club Card
The United Club Card sits at the top of United’s consumer lineup and is aimed at frequent flyers looking for a more premium airport experience.
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
Using TPG’s valuations, that bonus is worth as much as $1,200, including the miles tied to adding an authorized user.
It is not the richest offer this card has ever had, but it does clear our usual recommendation threshold of at least 90,000 miles. If earning United status matters to you, waiting for an offer that includes bonus Premier qualifying points may be worth considering.
Annual fee: $695
Key benefits:
- United Club membership
- Elite status boost each year
- Premier Access travel services
- First and second checked bag free
- Hotel, car rental and ride-hailing credits (yearly opt-in for ride-hailing credits is required)
- TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Nexus application fee credit
- Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
Earning rates:
- 11 total miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights
- 5 miles per dollar spent on hotel stays booked through Renowned Hotels and Resorts when you prepay for your booking using your Club Card
- 5 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible United purchases
- 2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel purchases
- 2 miles per dollar spent on dining
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
To learn more, read our full review of the United Club Card.
Apply here: United Club
United Business Card
The United Business Card is the lower-cost option among United’s two business cards. It can be a smart pick for small-business owners who want to earn United miles and pick up a few travel perks without a steep fee.
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs: Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG’s valuations, this offer is worth as much as $1,200, counting the miles from adding an authorized user but not the value of the PQPs.
Although it is not the biggest bonus this card has offered, it is still strong enough to meet our application threshold and is especially useful if you are trying to earn or regain status.
Annual fee: $150
Key benefits:
- First checked bag free
- FareLock statement credit
- Hotel, car rental and ride-hailing credits (yearly opt-in for ride-hailing credits is required)
- Priority boarding
- Two one-time United Club passes each year
- United travel credit (after five United flight purchases of $100 or more each per calendar year)
Earning rates:
- 8 total miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights
- 2 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible United purchases, local transit and commuting, gas stations, office supply stores, restaurants (including eligible delivery services)
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
To learn more, read our full review of the United Business Card.
United Club Business Card
The United Club Business Card is the premium business option in United’s lineup. It is designed for high-spending small-business owners who want top-tier United perks.
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs: Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
Using TPG’s valuations, the bonus is worth up to $1,200, counting the miles from adding an authorized user but excluding the PQPs.
Higher offers have appeared before, but this one remains attractive, particularly for applicants focused on status.
Annual fee: $695
Key benefits:
- Elite status boost each year
- FareLock statement credit
- First and second checked bag free
- Hotel, car rental and ride-hailing credits (yearly opt-in for ride-hailing credits is required)
- Premier Access travel services
- United Club membership
Earning rates:
- 8 total miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights
- 5 miles per dollar spent on hotel stays booked through Renowned Hotels and Resorts when you prepay for your booking
- 2 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible United purchases
- 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Learn more: United Club Business Card review
United Quest Card
The United Quest Card is United’s mid-to-upper-tier option for frequent travelers. It offers solid travel perks without the highest annual fee in the lineup.
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs: Earn 500 PQPs after your first purchase and 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG’s valuations, the bonus is worth up to $1,080, including the miles from adding an authorized user but not the PQPs.
While it is not the highest offer on record, it still meets our normal standard for applying.
The included 500 PQPs can also help you move closer to United Premier elite status. TPG credit cards writer Stephanie Stevens earned United Premier Silver status thanks to the PQP boost from her Quest Card.
Annual fee: $350
For frequent United flyers who regularly check bags and travel several times a year, the added benefits may justify the higher annual fee compared with lower-tier cards.
Key benefits:
- Award flight discount
- Elite status boost each year
- First and second checked bags free
- Hotel, car rental and ride-hailing credits (yearly opt-in for ride-hailing credits is required)
- TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Nexus application fee credit
- United travel credit
Earning rates:
- 10 total miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights
- 5 miles per dollar spent on hotel stays booked through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers
- 4 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible United purchases
- 2 miles per dollar spent on other travel purchases, dining and select streaming purchases
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
To learn more, read our full review of the United Quest Card.
Apply here: United Quest
United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card is a good fit for travelers who want United perks at a more moderate cost.
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
According to TPG’s valuations, the bonus is worth up to $960, including the miles from adding an authorized user.
This matches the best offer we have seen on the card, though the full 80,000-mile bonus now requires adding an authorized user.
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
Key benefits:
- First checked bag free
- Hotel, car rental and ride-hailing credits (yearly opt-in for ride-hailing credits is required)
- Inflight discount
- Priority boarding
- TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Nexus application fee credit
- Two one-time United Club passes each year
Earning rates:
- 9 total miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights
- 3 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible United purchases
- 2 miles per dollar spent on hotel stays (when booked directly) and dining
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
To learn more, read our full review of the United Explorer Card.
United Gateway Card
The no-annual-fee United Gateway Card is the entry-level choice for occasional United flyers who still want to earn MileagePlus miles.
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 50,000 bonus miles: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
Using TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth up to $600, including the miles from adding an authorized user.
This is the strongest bonus we have seen on the card, so it is a particularly good time to apply.
Annual fee: $0
Key benefits:
- Two first-checked-bag certificates (after spending $10,000 in a calendar year)
- Inflight discount
- Special member pricing (after spending $10,000 in a calendar year)
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Earning rates:
- 5 total miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights
- 2 miles per dollar spent on other eligible United purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
To learn more, read our full review of the United Gateway Card.
How to get the most from United MileagePlus miles
United’s dynamic award pricing can make premium redemptions harder to find, but the airline still offers worthwhile value for loyal flyers. Award sales can be especially useful, with some tickets starting at only a few thousand miles.
Another advantage is that United does not add fuel surcharges to award tickets, which can save a meaningful amount of cash.
United is also a Chase transfer partner, which gives cardholders more ways to collect MileagePlus miles across several credit cards. Because United belongs to Star Alliance, miles can also be redeemed with roughly 25 partner airlines, including Air New Zealand, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.
By targeting lower-cost domestic awards, such as a Houston-to-Orlando flight for as little as 3,500 miles, you can make your card rewards go further for future trips.
Or you can save up for a premium United Polaris business-class ticket.
Bottom line
A United welcome bonus can help push you closer to your next award trip. For applicants interested in larger offers, this is a strong time to consider applying.
Before submitting an application, make sure you understand Chase’s 5/24 rule: if you have opened five or more accounts in the past 24 months, approval may be difficult.
If you are approved, you will be on your way to a more premium travel experience with United and its partner airlines.
Apply here: United Club
Apply here: United Business
Apply here: United Quest
Apply here: United Explorer
Apply here: United Gateway
Learn more: United Club Business
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