Which United MileagePlus Credit Card Should You Get?

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United is one of the largest airlines in the world, with several important hubs and an impressive global network. It's MileagePlus frequent flyer program is also very valuable, as it allows members to earn and redeem points on 26 other Star Alliance carriers as well as several other non-alliance partners. (See Also: How Airline Partnerships Can Supercharge Your Travel Rewards).

And the best way to earn MileagePlus miles on the ground is through your credit card. Fortunately, there are several different cards you can use to earn these miles, so travelers should take care to pick the best one for their needs.

United℠ Explorer Card

The United℠ Explorer Card offers double miles on tickets purchased from United and at restaurants and hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. You also earn one mile per dollar spent elsewhere. Benefits include free checked bag for the cardholder as well as one companion traveling on the same reservation, so long as they purchase their ticket with this card, priority boarding, and two free United Club passes each year. New cardholders can earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. There is no limit to the number of miles you can earn, and your miles don't expire as long as your credit card account is open. There is a $95 annual fee for this card which is waived the first year, and no foreign transaction fees.

United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card

(Editor's Note: This offer is currently unavailable.) The business version of the Explorer card offers all of the benefits of the consumer version, plus more categories to earn double miles in. In addition to earning double miles on tickets purchased from United, cardholders earn double miles for each dollar spent at restaurants, gas stations, and office supply stores. This card also offers a 50,000 bonus for new cardholders after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. The annual fee of $95 is waived for the first year.

United MileagePlus® Club Card

The United MileagePlus® Club Card offers double miles on tickets purchased from United, and 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. Yet the big benefit of this card is a United Club membership that allows the cardholder and eligible travel companions access to all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance affiliated lounges worldwide. Other benefits include the first and second checked baggage fees waived for the cardholder and one companion as well as premier access travel services including designated check-in lines, priority security lanes, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling. Finally, cardholders can have their close-in booking fees waived on United Awards. New cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. There is a $450 annual fee for this card, and no foreign transaction fees.

Note: There is a business version of this card that has the exact same benefits.

Other Ways to Earn

Another way to get award flights on United could be credit cards that offer points to miles transfer to United's MileagePlus program. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 1:1 transfer of their points to United miles. This card is a better option if you aren't a frequent flyer and can't benefit from the double points these MileagePlus credit cards offer. However, you do sacrifice the United specific perks.

Which Card Should You Get?

The Explorer and Explorer card for business are both great deals for travelers who want to earn miles while receiving a few basic perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. For frequent travelers who crave access to the business lounge, the Club Card is the clear choice. Furthermore, it provides nearly all of the benefits of having elite status with United, except for the first class upgrades. (See Also: Best Credit Cards with Free Airport Lounge Access)

The information related to the United Explorer Card, United MileagePlus® Club Card and United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card has been collected by Wise Bread and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.