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If you’ve been cooped up all winter and think it’s time to start planning next year’s vacations, you’re not alone. Even though your mileage balances may have been on vacation and not growing over the past few months, United Airlines and Chase are offering a limited-time offer to give your account balances a jump start.
For a limited time, you have the opportunity to earn tens of thousands of additional miles with four limited-time welcome bonuses, making your trip to Europe, South America, Asia and beyond a real possibility.
What is the United Airlines Limited Time Credit Card offer?
United Airlines offers four credit cards for every type of traveler. Whether you’re a casual flyer who only flies once a year, or a road warrior who knows the ins and outs of every major airline 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 a welcome offer, and some cards will waive the annual fee for the first year. Let’s take a look at each card and why you should consider applying for it 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 more personalized features than ever before.
United Gateway Card℠
The best card for casual United Airlines flyers, the United Gateway℠ Card, offers a bumper bonus of 30,000 miles when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months of card membership.
United Gateway Card℠
Upfront bonus
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account
| Annual fees | $0 |
| Normal April | 21.24% – 28.24% variable annual interest rate |
Although there’s no annual fee, the lack of checked bags or other flight benefits with the United Gateway℠ Card has us hungry for more.
Bonus prices
- 2x2X miles on United® purchases, including tickets, Economy Plus, food and beverage, in-flight Wi-Fi, baggage service fees, and other United purchases.
- 2x2X miles on local transit and commutes, including rideshares, taxis, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit.
- 1x1X Mile on all other purchases
- United Perks: 25% back as a statement credit on food and beverage purchases, in-flight Wi-Fi on United operated flights, and on premium Club drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
- Other benefits: Collision Damage Waiver for Car Rentals, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty
- Foreign transaction fees: none
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You’ll earn 2 flat United miles per dollar on your purchases with United Airlines, gas stations, and even local transportation. If you’re looking to make a large purchase and want some extra time to pay it off, you’ll get a 0% APR for the first 12 months on purchases, after which a variable APR of 21.99% – 28.99% will apply.
For more information, see our United Gateway Card review.
United℠Explorer Card
A great card for both regular United travelers and United fans alike, this card’s welcome bonus is 60,000 miles after spending just $3,000 in the first 3 months of card membership. Plus, the annual fee is waived for the first year, giving you a break from the $95 annual fee while you rack up all those extra miles.
United℠Explorer Card
Upfront bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account
| Annual fees | Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year (then $95) |
| Normal April | 21.24% – 28.24% variable annual interest rate |
For frequent United Airline flyers, the United℠ Explorer Card offers helpful perks — like a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and a TSA PreCheck statement credit. In addition, cardholders receive essential travel protections such as lost baggage compensation and trip cancellation insurance.
Bonus prices
- 2x2x miles on dining (including eligible deliveries), hotel stays, and United® purchases (including tickets, in-flight food, drinks, Wi-Fi, Economy Plus® and more)
- 1x1x miles on all other purchases
- United Perks: 25% back on in-flight purchases, checked bag benefits, and expanded Savings Reward ticket availability
- Travel Perks: Up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit, trip cancellation and interruption protection
- Foreign transaction fees: none
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Your first bag travels with you for free and you’ll be able to board before non-cardholders, which means 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 with United Airlines and dining and hotel reservations.
If you arrive at the airport early and want some time to relax, two United Club lounge tickets are included as an extra. You’ll be able to enjoy a selection of food and drinks before take-off and relax in a private space for club members only.
Check out our full review of the United℠ Explorer Card.
United Quest Card℠
A step up from the United℠ Explorer Card, both in terms of perks and cost, is the United Quest℠ Card. You can earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending just $4,000 in the first three months of card membership, plus 500 PQP points, a premium qualification point, to help you reach the next level of elite status.
United Quest Card℠
Upfront bonus
Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 premium qualification points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account
| Annual fees | $250 |
| Normal April | 21.24% – 28.24% variable annual interest rate |
Your earnings on United purchases jump by 50% to 3 miles per dollar spent from 2 miles on the previous two other cards. The higher $250 annual fee is also slightly offset by offering a $125 annual credit toward United purchases and the first two checked bags free on United flights.
Check out our full review of the United Quest card.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
If United lounges are your happy place, this card needs its place in your wallet. Your card comes with a generous welcome bonus of 90,000 miles and United Club membership, giving you a quiet zone in busy airports around the world with United Airlines.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Upfront bonus
He wins 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
| Annual fees | $525 |
| Normal April | 21.24% – 28.24% variable |
The 90,000-mile welcome bonus requires a slightly higher spending than the Quest card, i.e. $5,000 instead of $4,000, but if you can swing the extra spending, it’s a significant increase over other cards.
Mileage earnings are increased even more on United Airlines purchases, growing to 4 miles per dollar instead of 3 or 2 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 everything travel-related.
Other additional benefits included with this premium credit card are a Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit, 25% back on onboard purchases, and Premier Access travel purchases such as priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling.
Check out our full review of the United Club℠ Infinite Card.
Where can I go with United Airlines miles?
With more than 210 destinations in the United States and more than 120 worldwide, United Airlines can likely take you where you want to go. United have a useful page called their Special dealswhich aggregates the best deals on United flights using your miles. This gives you the ability to search by departure city or arrival city and see all offers.
Once you have the welcome bonus deposited into your account, the fun begins. Mileage prices vary, so be sure to check the latest flight prices before you decide to act on any special offers.
Ready meals
If you’ve been waiting to apply for a card to earn United Airlines miles, now is the time. While this offer lasts until August 7, the earlier you place your order, 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 get the miles needed for a 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 Recommends™ for credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the date of publication, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact your card issuer to verify rates, fees and benefits before applying.