You are about to purchase a flight, and you’ve got a bank card with that airline’s identify stamped on the entrance. That is the most effective card to make use of for this buy, proper? Or, would you be higher served if you happen to used another bank card?
You’ve gotten choices for incomes additional factors and miles whenever you pay. Conversely, there are alternatives for having fun with further perks throughout your flight. Some bank cards might give a mixture of each.
Let’s check out the most effective bank cards to make use of for United Airways flights so you’ll be able to see your choices.
Evaluating playing cards for United Airways flights
Apart from utilizing a United Airways bank card, you may additionally pay utilizing an all-around journey rewards card that earns transferable rewards on journey purchases.
Six of the playing cards on the next checklist are cobranded playing cards from Chase; Chase’s United playing cards underwent a refresh in March that primarily raised annual charges and added assertion credit.
Listed below are 10 playing cards you would possibly pay with and what you may get when utilizing these playing cards.
Inquisitive about which of those playing cards you are eligible for? Take a look at our information to bank card utility restrictions.
| Card identify | Welcome provide | Incomes charge on United flights | Worth of the rewards earned* | United-related advantages from the cardboard | Annual payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Membership℠ Card (see charges and costs) | Earn 95,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. This provide ends Might 7. | 9 miles per greenback | 12.15 cents |
|
$695 |
| United Quest℠ Card (see charges and costs) | Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. This provide ends Might 7. | 8 miles per greenback | 10.8 cents |
|
$350 |
| United℠ Explorer Card (see charges and costs) | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. This provide ends Might 7. | 7 miles per greenback | 9.45 cents |
|
$0 introductory annual payment, then $150 |
| United Gateway℠ Card (see charges and costs) | Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This provide ends July 16.
Plus, you may obtain a 0% annual share charge for the primary 12 months (then a variable APR of 20.49% to twenty-eight.99% applies). |
7 miles per greenback | 9.45 cents |
|
$0 |
| United Membership℠ Enterprise Card** |
Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This provide ends Might 7. | 7 miles per greenback | 9.45 cents |
|
$695 |
| United℠ Enterprise Card (see charges and costs) | Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This provide ends Might 7. | 7 miles per greenback | 9.45 cents |
|
$150 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Specific | Earn 80,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Nevertheless, you might be focused for the next welcome provide by way of the CardMatch instrument. Presents are topic to vary at any time and usually are not essentially accessible to everybody.
|
5 factors per greenback on flights booked straight with the airline or by way of Amex Journey (on as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback) | 10 cents |
|
$695 (see charges and costs) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | 3 factors per greenback (or 5 factors per greenback if booked by way of Chase Journey℠) | 6.15 cents (or 10.25 cents) |
|
$550 |
| American Specific® Inexperienced Card** | Earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. | 3 factors per greenback | 6 cents | $150 | |
| Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months after opening an account. | 2 miles per greenback (or 5 miles per greenback if booked within the Capital One Journey portal) | 3.7 cents (or 9.25 cents) |
|
$395 |
*The bonus worth is estimated based mostly on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, not by the cardboard issuer.
**The knowledge for these playing cards has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Day by day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day e-newsletter
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
United Membership Card
For a restricted time, new cardholders can earn 95,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. This provide ends Might 7. Based mostly on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this provide is value $1,283.
The cardboard carries a $695 annual payment however comes with premium perks, akin to entry to over 45 United Golf equipment worldwide.
Moreover, the cardboard has many United-specific advantages that may improve your flying expertise, akin to two free checked baggage, Premier Entry (which incorporates precedence check-in, safety screening and checked bag supply, the place accessible) and 25% again on inflight purchases.
It additionally earns 9 miles per greenback spent on United flights, which is a 12.35% return on spending per our valuations, the best return in the marketplace for United purchases.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluation of the United Membership Card.
Apply right here: United Membership Card
Associated: Is the United Membership Card annual payment value it?
United Quest Card
New cardholders can earn 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. This limited-time provide ends Might 7. Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide’s bonus miles are value $1,215.
The Quest Card has a $350 annual payment however comes with an array of advantages to reinforce your United journey expertise, together with two free checked baggage, Premier Entry (the place accessible), 25% again on inflight purchases and $200 in United TravelBank money yearly.
Cardholders additionally earn 8 miles per greenback spent on United flight purchases, a ten.8% return on spending based mostly on our valuations.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluation of the United Quest Card.
Apply right here: United Quest Card
Associated: Who ought to (and should not) get the United Quest Card?
United Explorer Card
For a restricted time, new cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening. This provide ends Might 7. Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,080.
The United Explorer Card is greatest for informal United flyers or a frequent flyer who does not want the advantages of United’s costlier playing cards. It has a $0 introductory annual payment within the first yr and a $150 annual payment afterward.
When flying United and holding this card, you may obtain a free checked bag, precedence boarding and 25% again on inflight purchases. Cardholders additionally obtain two United Membership passes every account yr; Olivia Mittak, a bank cards editor at TPG, loves utilizing these to get into Portland Worldwide Airport (PDX)’s United Membership.
Explorer cardholders additionally earn 7 miles per greenback spent on United flight purchases, a 9.45% return on spending based mostly on our valuations, a fantastic return for a card with a modest annual payment.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluation of the United Explorer Card.
Apply right here: United Explorer Card
Associated: Why I am truly not upset in regards to the United Explorer’s modifications
United Gateway Card
New Gateway Card holders can earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This provide ends July 16. They’re going to additionally obtain a 0% APR for the primary 12 months (then a variable APR of 20.49% to twenty-eight.99% applies).
Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $405.
The United Gateway Card has no annual payment. Nevertheless, you may solely obtain modest perks like 25% again on inflight purchases and seven miles per greenback spent on United flight purchases when flying with United.
Based mostly on our valuations, this can be a 9.45% return on spending, a fantastic return on United flights for a card with no annual payment.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluation of the United Gateway Card.
Apply right here: United Gateway Card
Associated: 7 causes it is best to get (and preserve) a no-annual-fee bank card
United Membership Enterprise Card
For a restricted time, new candidates can earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This provide ends Might 7. Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,688.
Just like the United Membership Card, the Membership Enterprise carries a $695 annual payment, however cardholders do obtain a United Membership membership.
Moreover, cardholders obtain many United-specific advantages, together with free first and second checked baggage, Premier Entry (the place accessible) and 25% again on inflight purchases.
Membership Enterprise cardholders earn 7 miles per greenback spent on United flight purchases, a 9.45% return on spending based mostly on our valuations.
Be taught extra: United Membership Enterprise
United Enterprise Card
New candidates can earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This limited-time provide ends Might 7. Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,688.
The United Enterprise Card carries a $150 annual payment however has loads of perks to reinforce your journey expertise when flying United, together with a free checked bag, two one-time United Membership passes every account anniversary (cardholder or licensed have to be current to redeem), precedence boarding and 25% again on inflight purchases.
Moreover, cardholders earn 7 miles per greenback spent on United flight purchases, a 9.45% return on spending based mostly on our valuations.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluation of the United Enterprise Card.
Apply right here: United Enterprise Card
Associated: United Enterprise Card vs. United Membership Enterprise Card: Which do you have to get?
The Platinum Card from American Specific
New Amex Platinum Card members can earn 80,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,600.
Nevertheless, you might be focused for the next welcome provide by way of the CardMatch instrument. Presents are topic to vary at any time and usually are not essentially accessible to everybody.
The Amex Platinum has a hefty $695 annual payment however comes with quite a few advantages to assist cardmembers justify it.
When you will not get any United-specific advantages whenever you fly, you do obtain entry to the World Lounge Assortment, essentially the most in depth airport lounge community by any card issuer. Cardmembers additionally obtain in depth journey protections and an as much as $200 per calendar yr airline assertion credit score (enrollment required).
With the airline assertion credit score, you must designate one airline, which might be United. The assertion credit score can cowl miscellaneous charges akin to baggage, seat choice, inflight purchases and day passes to the United Membership, which will be helpful if you happen to do not maintain United MileagePlus elite standing and already obtain many of those advantages.
The Amex Platinum earns 5 factors per greenback spent on airline purchases booked straight or by way of Amex Journey (on as much as $500,000 of spending every calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback), which equates to a ten% return on spending in response to our valuations whenever you ebook flights straight with United.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluation of the Amex Platinum.
Apply right here: The Platinum Card from American Specific
Associated: Is the Amex Platinum well worth the annual payment?
Chase Sapphire Reserve
At present, new cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,230.
Should you’re a frequent luxurious traveler (maybe you are an everyday flyer of United Polaris), you might be searching for a versatile foreign money card with premium advantages. Regardless of the Sapphire Reserve’s steep $550 annual payment, many frequent vacationers will worth this card’s advantages. Cardholders obtain a $300 annual journey credit score that may be utilized to nearly any journey buy, together with United flights.
When you will not have United Membership entry, this card comes with Precedence Move entry to enter greater than 1,700 lounges worldwide, and you will have entry to Chase’s increasing community of Sapphire lounges.
You may earn 3 factors per greenback spent on a broad definition of journey purchases (after the primary $300 is spent yearly on journey) and eating, making this card a robust earner. That is a 6.15% return on spending, based mostly on our valuations.
These factors can then be transferred to one in all Chase’s 14 airline or lodge companions, together with United.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluation of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Associated: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve well worth the annual payment?
American Specific Inexperienced Card
New cardmembers can earn 40,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $800.
The Amex Inexperienced Card has a $150 annual payment and is a good choice for frequent vacationers, whether or not they fly United regularly or not.
Whereas the cardboard lacks United-specific advantages, you’ll obtain an as much as $199 Clear Plus assertion credit score per calendar yr (topic to auto-renewal; enrollment required) that may expedite airport safety, plus quite a few journey protections.
The cardboard earns 3 factors per greenback spent on all journey purchases, together with United flight purchases, which is a 6% return on spending in response to our valuations. Amex is not a direct switch associate of United, however you’ll be able to nonetheless ebook United award flights by way of companions like Singapore Airways.
Be taught extra: American Specific Inexperienced Card
Associated: Is the Amex Inexperienced Card well worth the annual payment?
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, this welcome provide is value $1,388.
The Capital One Enterprise X comes with a $395 annual payment. When you will not get any United-specific perks, you’ll obtain a fantastic welcome bonus, an annual $300 Capital One Journey assertion credit score, 10,000 anniversary miles and a plethora of journey protections.
You may earn no less than 2 miles per greenback spent on all purchases, which is a 3.7% return on spending based mostly on our valuations.
Moreover, you need to use your miles to “pay” for any latest travel-related purchases (akin to United flights) at a set charge of 1 cent every. You can even switch your miles on to any of Capital One’s 15-plus switch companions, akin to Air Canada Aeroplan, which you need to use to ebook United flights.
Should you do not need to pay such a excessive annual payment, you may additionally think about the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card, which has a $95 annual payment and in addition earns no less than 2 miles per greenback spent on all purchases, together with United flights.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluation of the Capital One Enterprise X.
Be taught extra: Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Associated: Capital One Enterprise Rewards vs. Capital One Enterprise X: Value the additional $300 in annual charges?
Backside line
There isn’t any scarcity of card choices to make use of when paying for United flights. The cobranded choice yields larger returns on United flights and affords higher advantages when flying United, however extra common journey rewards bank cards can earn at related charges and provide extra flexibility with how one can redeem rewards.
Earlier than paying with a sure card, consider whether or not you’ll be sacrificing advantages to earn extra useful rewards and the way vital that is to you.
Associated: 4 causes somebody in your loved ones wants a United bank card
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.
