United Airlines Has Extended Its Welcome Bonuses for Credit Cards

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These promotions concluded on March 13, 2024.

With the second-largest fleet globally and an extensive route network, United Airlines serves 354 destinations across 48 countries and continues to expand. Given United's significant position in the industry, many travelers opt for its cobranded credit cards to earn bonus miles and enjoy travel benefits like complimentary checked baggage on United flights. Here’s the latest on United’s credit cards and the enhanced welcome bonuses, which have recently been extended until March 13, 2024.

An overview of the similarities and differences among United’s branded credit cards

Each of United’s credit cards is a great option, but the choice ultimately depends on personal preferences. There are four personal credit cards available: Gateway, Explorer, Quest, and Infinite (listed by annual fee from $0 to $525). The distinctions lie in the annual fees and the variety of perks, credits, and earning rates offered.

The Gateway, Explorer, and Quest credit cards are also providing enhanced introductory offers until March 13, 2024. All four cards reward users with bonus miles for purchases made with United Airlines and offer a 25% statement credit on food, drinks, and Wi-Fi bought on United flights. Besides this, each card features unique earning potentials and various travel perks. Read on for more details.

United Gateway℠ Card

Ideal for: The United Gateway℠ Card is perfect for occasional United flyers who wish to accumulate extra miles without an annual fee.

Why take action now? Previous introductory bonuses for this card during 2022 and 2023 have fluctuated between 10,000 and 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 within the first three months.

Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months. This offer has been extended until March 13, 2024.

Annual fee: $0

Miles earned: The card provides two miles per dollar spent on United Airlines purchases, gas stations, and local transit and commuting, including rideshares, taxis, tolls, and public transport. You earn one mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Credits: Receive a 25% statement credit on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi purchases onboard United-operated flights.

Key benefits: None (which means no complimentary checked baggage)

United℠ Explorer Card

Ideal for: The United℠ Explorer Card suits those who fly United frequently enough to benefit from free baggage, but not enough to consider themselves devoted United fans.

Why take action now? The previous introductory offer for the United Explorer card in 2022 and 2023 provided 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first three months.

Welcome bonus: Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account. This offer has been extended until March 13, 2024.

Annual fee: No introductory annual fee for the first year, followed by a fee of $95.

Miles earned: This card offers two miles for every dollar spent on United purchases, as well as on hotels and dining, including qualifying delivery services. You earn one mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Credits: Receive a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit (valued at up to $100) once every four years. Enjoy a 25% statement credit on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi purchases on United-operated flights.

Key benefits: Access the United Club with two one-time passes each year. The primary cardholder also enjoys the first standard checked bag for free.

United Quest℠ Card

Ideal for: The United Quest℠ Card is perfect for those who favor United as their main airline but don’t necessarily require access to United lounges.

Why take action now? This card offers a $125 annual credit for United purchases, effectively halving the annual fee.

Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) after spending $4,000 in the first three months. This offer has been extended until March 13, 2024.

Annual fee: $250

Miles earned: Earn three miles per dollar spent on United purchases, two miles per dollar on other travel, dining, and select streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Earn one mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Credits: Receive a $125 credit on United purchases each year for airline-related expenses, such as tickets or baggage fees (terms apply). Get a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit (valued at up to $100) every four years. Enjoy a 25% statement credit on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi purchases onboard United-operated flights.

Key benefits: Cardholders are entitled to check up to two bags per flight for themselves and one travel companion on the same reservation. Additionally, you can earn up to 10,000 miles back in your MileagePlus account each year after flying on a United or United Express award flight booked with miles (terms apply).

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Ideal for: The United Club℠ Infinite Card is perfect for those who intend to make United Airlines their primary airline in 2024, wish to enjoy United lounge access, and aim to accumulate miles for future free flights with United and its Star Alliance partners.

Why take action now? While a previous offer of 90,000 bonus miles expired in January 2024, this card still enables you to earn miles rapidly and gain access to United-branded lounges.

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first three months of opening your account.

Annual fee: $525

Miles earned: Earn four miles for every dollar spent on United Airlines purchases and two miles per dollar on all other travel and dining expenses, including eligible delivery services. Earn one mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Credits: Receive a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit (valued at up to $100) every four years. Enjoy a 25% statement credit on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi purchases on United-operated flights.

Key benefits: Gain United Club membership (worth $650), which provides access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide for the primary cardholder and two adult companions (or one adult companion and dependent children under 21). Cardholders can check up to two bags per flight for themselves and one travel companion on the same reservation.

Which card should you choose and why apply now?

The choice of which United personal card to select hinges on how you prioritize the earnings structure and key benefits in relation to the annual fee.

We highly recommend the United Explorer Card for its generous introductory offer and numerous perks with United. (And enjoying no annual fee in the first year is a nice bonus!) The United Quest Card offers slightly more value (though at a higher cost) than the Explorer, but overall, the Explorer stands out. Lastly, the United Club Infinite Card is essential for those who frequently fly with United and appreciate lounge access.

This article was first published in 2022 and was updated on January 26, 2024, with new details. While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change and may have been modified or may no longer be available.