Key Points
- United business cards are offering their highest bonuses with up to 100,000 miles plus Premier Qualifying Points.
- Chase and United recently overhauled the entire card lineup with new benefits and increased annual fees across all tiers.
- The best value depends on your travel frequency, with options ranging from no annual fee to premium lounge access cards.
Introduction
United Airlines and Chase have rolled out a complete refresh of their co-branded credit card lineup, bringing elevated welcome bonuses alongside significant changes to benefits and annual fees. Whether you're a frequent United flyer working toward elite status or an occasional traveler looking to maximize miles, there's an offer worth considering. Here's everything you need to know about the current United credit card bonuses and which card makes the most sense for your travel patterns.
Current United Credit Card Welcome Bonuses
United Club Business Card: 100,000 Miles + 2,000 PQPs
The United Club Business Card leads the pack with the highest bonus available. Earn 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 Premier Qualifying Points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. The annual fee recently increased from $450 to $695, but the card now includes a United Club membership (typically valued around $750 annually), Premier Access travel services, and over $925 in annual partner credits.
This card earns 7 miles per dollar on United flights (when you combine the 5x miles as a MileagePlus member with the 2x from the card), 2 miles per dollar on other travel, dining, gas stations, office supply stores, and local transit, plus 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
United Business Card: 100,000 Miles + 2,000 PQPs
The standard United Business Card matches the Club's welcome bonus with 100,000 miles and 2,000 PQPs for $5,000 in spending within three months. The annual fee sits at $150, making it significantly more affordable than the Club version while still offering solid perks including two United Club one-time passes annually, a free first checked bag, and over $600 in annual partner credits.
The earning structure mirrors the Club Business card: 7 miles per dollar on United purchases, 2 miles per dollar on restaurants, gas stations, office supplies, and local transit, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
United Club Card: 90,000 Miles
For personal cards, the United Club Card offers 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months. The annual fee jumped from $525 to $695, but you're getting United Club lounge access, two free checked bags, Premier Access travel services, and over $875 in annual partner credits.
This card earns 9 miles per dollar on United flights (5x as a member plus 4x from the card), 5 miles per dollar at Renowned Hotels and Resorts when prepaying, 4 miles per dollar on other United purchases, and 2 miles per dollar on all other travel.
United Quest Card: 80,000 Miles + 3,000 PQPs
The United Quest Card provides 80,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier Qualifying Points for $4,000 in spending during the first three months. The annual fee increased from $250 to $350. You'll receive a $200 annual United travel credit, an annual 10,000-mile award flight discount, two free checked bags, and priority boarding.
Earning rates include 7 miles per dollar on United flights, 2 miles per dollar on other United purchases, hotels, and dining, plus 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
United Explorer Card: 70,000 Miles
The United Explorer Card offers 70,000 bonus miles after $3,000 in spending within three months. This card features a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (up from $95). Benefits include a free first checked bag, two United Club one-time passes per year, priority boarding, and over $500 in annual partner credits.
You'll earn 7 miles per dollar on United flights, 2 miles per dollar on other United purchases and dining, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
United Gateway Card: 30,000 Miles
The entry-level United Gateway Card comes with no annual fee and offers 30,000 bonus miles for $1,000 in spending within three months. You'll also get 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases. After spending $10,000 in a calendar year, you'll receive two complimentary checked bags and access to special award prices on select flights.
Earning is straightforward: 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and local transit/commuting, plus 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
What Changed With United Credit Cards
Chase and United announced sweeping changes to their co-branded card portfolio in March 2025, affecting annual fees, benefits, and earning structures across all cards. The changes went into effect immediately for new applicants, while existing cardholders saw annual fee increases beginning August 1, 2025. These changes remain in effect throughout 2026.
Annual Fee Increases
Every card except the Gateway saw its annual fee increase:
- United Club cards: $170-$245 increase (now $695 for both personal and business)
- United Quest: $100 increase (now $350)
- United Explorer: $55 increase (now $150 after first year)
- United Business: Increased to $150
New Benefits Added
To offset the fee increases, Chase and United added numerous benefits including annual United travel credits, award flight discounts based on spending, increased Premier Qualifying Point caps, and various spending credits with partners like Instacart, JSX, and ride-share services.
The most significant additions include the ability to earn award flight discounts through card spending and substantially higher PQP earning caps. For example, the Quest card can now earn up to 18,000 PQPs annually (enough for Premier Platinum status), up from the previous 9,000 cap.
How to Choose the Right United Card
For Frequent United Flyers
If you fly United regularly and value lounge access, the United Club Card or United Club Business Card makes sense despite the $695 annual fee. The complimentary United Club membership alone typically costs $750 per year, and the additional credits and benefits can easily justify the cost if you'll actually use them.
For Those Working Toward Elite Status
The United Quest Card offers an excellent middle ground with increased PQP earning potential (up to 18,000 annually) plus 3,000 PQPs with the welcome bonus. The $200 annual travel credit and award flight discounts add meaningful value if you fly United at least a few times per year.
For Occasional United Travelers
The United Explorer Card provides solid benefits including free checked bags and two annual lounge passes without the premium card price tag. The first year is free, making it easy to test whether the benefits justify the $150 ongoing fee.
For Light Travelers or Those Building Credit
The United Gateway Card requires no annual fee and offers a reasonable 30,000-mile bonus for just $1,000 in spending. While the benefits are limited compared to premium cards, you can earn United miles without any ongoing cost.
Maximizing Your United Miles
United miles work best when you're flexible with dates and book well in advance. The airline uses dynamic pricing for award tickets, meaning costs fluctuate based on demand rather than following a fixed chart. However, United regularly offers reduced-mileage awards on select routes, sometimes starting at just a few thousand miles.
One significant advantage: United doesn't impose fuel surcharges on award tickets, which can save you hundreds of dollars compared to programs like British Airways Avios on long-haul international flights.
For maximum value, consider using your miles for:
- Saver awards on off-peak dates
- Domestic one-ways during sales (often 10,000-15,000 miles)
- International premium cabins when you find good availability
- Star Alliance partner awards for more routing options
The Trade-Off: Higher Fees vs. More Benefits
The recent changes to United's card lineup follow a trend we've seen across the industry: issuers are adding complexity in the form of multiple spending credits and tier-based benefits while raising annual fees.
Whether these changes represent good value depends entirely on your situation. If you'll use the various travel credits, spending bonuses, and lounge access, the premium cards offer solid returns. However, if you prefer straightforward benefits without tracking multiple credits, you might find the increased complexity frustrating.
Before applying, take an honest look at your spending patterns and travel frequency. Add up only the benefits you'll genuinely use—not those you might use "someday"—and compare that realistic value to the annual fee.
Should You Apply Now?
The current welcome bonuses on United cards are competitive, especially the 100,000-mile offers on business cards. If you're under Chase's 5/24 rule (fewer than 5 new credit cards in the past 24 months), United cards count toward that limit, so plan your applications strategically.
For those working toward United elite status, these bonuses can provide a meaningful boost. The combination of welcome bonus miles and Premier Qualifying Points helps you start the year ahead of the game.
However, remember that you need to fly at least four United or United Express-operated flights to qualify for elite status—you can't earn status through credit card spending alone, though the PQPs certainly help you reach higher tiers once you've met the flight requirement.
Conclusion
United's credit card lineup now offers more options than ever, with welcome bonuses ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 miles depending on which card you choose. The recent overhaul brought increased annual fees but also added valuable benefits including travel credits, award discounts, and enhanced PQP earning potential.
The best card for you depends on how often you fly United and whether you'll use the premium benefits. For frequent flyers, the Club cards offer genuine value despite the higher fees. Occasional travelers will find better value in the Explorer or Quest cards. And if you're just starting out with United or fly infrequently, the no-annual-fee Gateway card lets you earn miles without ongoing costs.
Take a close look at your travel patterns, honestly assess which benefits you'll use, and apply for the card that matches your needs. With the right strategy, these welcome bonuses can fund your next big trip—or several smaller ones.
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