United Airlines MileagePlus is one of the most popular airline rewards programs in the world. With MileagePlus, you can earn miles on United flights and partner airlines, as well as on everyday purchases with your MileagePlus credit card. You can then redeem your miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel rewards.
If you’re considering getting a MileagePlus credit card, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. In this blog post, we’ll provide a comprehensive comparison of all MileagePlus credit cards, an in-depth analysis of each card’s earning potential and travel perks, case studies of how travelers have used MileagePlus credit cards to save money and redeem rewards, expert tips for maximizing your MileagePlus credit card benefits, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) about MileagePlus credit cards.
Comprehensive Comparison of All MileagePlus Credit Cards
There are a variety of MileagePlus credit cards available, each with its own set of features and benefits. Here is a table that summarizes the key features of each card:
| Card | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Sign-up Bonus | Earning Rate | Travel Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United℠ Infinite Card | $525 | 80,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months | 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | 1 mile per dollar spent on all United® purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel purchases, 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases | Up to $200 in annual statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, United Club℠ access, free first and second checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, Premier Access, Choice Plus benefits |
| United℠ Explorer Card | $95 | 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | 1 mile per dollar spent on all United® purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel purchases, 1 mile per dollar spent on dining | United Club℠ access, free first and second checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, Premier Access |
| United℠ MileagePlus® Club Card | $0 | 30,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | No sign-up bonus | 1 mile per dollar spent on all United® purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel purchases, 1 mile per dollar spent on dining | Free first checked bag, priority check-in and boarding |
| United℠ MileagePlus® Select Card | $250 | 15,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | No sign-up bonus | 1 mile per dollar spent on all United® purchases, 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases | Free first checked bag |
In-Depth Analysis of Each Card’s Earning Potential and Travel Perks
In addition to the table above, here is a more in-depth analysis of each card’s earning potential and travel perks:
United℠ Infinite Card
- This card is the best MileagePlus credit card for frequent travelers who want to earn miles quickly and enjoy premium travel perks.
- It has the highest welcome bonus of any MileagePlus credit card, as well as the best earning rate on United® purchases.
- It also comes with a variety of travel perks, including United Club℠ access, free checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, and Premier Access.
United℠ Explorer Card
- This card is a good option for travelers who want to earn miles quickly and enjoy some travel perks, but don’t need all the bells and whistles of the United℠ Infinite Card.
- It has a lower welcome bonus than the United℠ Infinite Card, but it still has a good earning rate on United® purchases.
- It also comes with some travel perks, including United Club℠ access, free checked bags, and priority check-in and boarding.
United℠ MileagePlus® Club Card
- This card is a good option for travelers who want to earn miles quickly and get a free first checked bag, but don’t need any other travel perks.
It has a good welcome bonus and a good earning rate on United® purchases.
Detailed Breakdown of Annual Fees and Associated Costs
| Card | Annual Fee | Additional Fees |
|---|---|---|
| United℠ Infinite Card | $525 | None |
| United℠ Explorer Card | $95 | None |
| United℠ MileagePlus® Club Card | $0 | None |
| United℠ MileagePlus® Select Card | $250 | None |
Advantages of MileagePlus Credit Cards
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Earn miles quickly: MileagePlus credit cards allow you to earn miles on everyday purchases, in addition to miles earned from flying with United and its partners. This can help you accumulate miles faster and reach your redemption goals sooner.
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Access to travel perks: Many MileagePlus credit cards offer valuable travel perks, such as airport lounge access, priority check-in and boarding, free checked bags, and enrollment in United’s Premier Access program, which provides additional benefits to frequent travelers.
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Redeem miles for valuable rewards: MileagePlus miles can be redeemed for a wide range of travel rewards, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and even merchandise and gift cards. This gives you flexibility in how you use your earned miles.
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Additional benefits: Some MileagePlus credit cards offer additional benefits, such as purchase protection, travel accident insurance, and extended warranties.
Disadvantages of MileagePlus Credit Cards
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Annual fees: Most MileagePlus credit cards have annual fees, which can range from $0 to $525. This can be a significant cost, so it’s important to consider the value of the card’s benefits before signing up.
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Interest charges: If you carry a balance on your MileagePlus credit card, you will be charged interest. This can quickly offset the value of the miles you earn.
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Credit score requirements: To qualify for most MileagePlus credit cards, you will need a good to excellent credit score. If your credit score is below 670, you may have difficulty getting approved.
Minimum Credit Score Requirement
The minimum credit score requirement for MileagePlus credit cards varies depending on the specific card. However, most cards require a credit score of 670 or higher.
Comparison of Best Offers from Other Credit Cards
In addition to MileagePlus credit cards, there are many other travel rewards credit cards available from various issuers. It’s important to compare different cards and their offers to find the one that best suits your needs and travel habits.
Here’s a comparison of some of the best travel rewards credit cards from different issuers:
| Card | Issuer | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Earning Rate | Travel Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Chase | $95 | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | 2x points on travel and dining, 1x point on all other eligible purchases | Travel credit up to $300 per year, 5x points on Lyft rides, airport lounge access, statement credits for eligible travel purchases |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Capital One | $95 | 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | 2x miles on all purchases | No foreign transaction fees, travel purchase eraser, airport lounge access with Capital One Travel |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | Bank of America | $0 | 15,000 bonus points after you make $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | 1.5x points on all purchases, 3x points on travel, gas, and dining | No foreign transaction fees, statement credits for eligible travel purchases |
Comparison of Customer Service and Benefits
Both United and Chase offer excellent customer service with multiple channels for support, including phone, email, and chat. They also offer a variety of benefits for their credit card customers, such as purchase protection, travel accident insurance, and extended warranties. However, there are some key differences between the two companies:
- United Club℠ access: United offers United Club℠ access to select MileagePlus credit cardholders. This provides access to airport lounges worldwide, where you can relax, work, or enjoy a meal before your flight.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: United offers a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® to select MileagePlus credit cardholders. These programs provide expedited security screening at airports, saving you time and hassle.
- Statement credits for eligible travel purchases: Both United and Chase offer statement credits for eligible travel purchases to select MileagePlus credit cardholders. This can help offset the cost of your travel expenses.
Insights into Best Ways to Utilize MileagePlus Credit Cards for Business Travel
MileagePlus credit cards can be a valuable tool for business travelers. Here are some tips for maximizing their benefits:
- Sign up for a welcome bonus offer: Most MileagePlus credit cards offer a welcome bonus when you sign up for the card and spend a certain amount of money on purchases in the first few months. This is a great way to earn a lot of miles quickly.
- Use your card for business expenses: The more you use your card for business expenses, the more miles you’ll earn. This includes things like hotels, flights, car rentals, and meals.
- Take advantage of transfer partners: United Airlines partners with several other airlines, including Chase, Marriott, and Hertz. You can transfer points from these partners to your MileagePlus account to earn even more miles.
- Redeem your miles for business travel: MileagePlus miles can be redeemed for a variety of business travel rewards, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel packages. You can also redeem your miles for merchandise, gift cards, and other rewards.
Guide to Combining MileagePlus Credit Cards with Other Travel Rewards Programs
You can combine MileagePlus credit cards with other travel rewards programs to maximize your earning potential. Here are a few tips:
- Choose cards from different issuers: This will give you access to a wider variety of travel rewards programs.
- Consider your travel patterns: If you travel frequently to certain destinations, look for cards that offer bonus earning opportunities for those destinations.
- Be mindful of annual fees: Only sign up for cards that you can afford the annual fees for.
Creative Strategies for Maximizing MileagePlus Credit Card Rewards Without Incurring Additional Fees
There are a few creative strategies you can use to maximize your MileagePlus credit card rewards without incurring additional fees:
- Use your card for everyday purchases: Even small purchases can add up to a significant amount of miles over time.
- Pay your balance in full each month: This will avoid interest charges, which can quickly offset the value of your earned miles.
- Take advantage of category bonuses: Many MileagePlus credit cards offer category bonuses, which means you can earn more miles on certain types of purchases, such as dining or travel.
By following these tips, you can maximize the value of your MileagePlus credit cards and earn valuable travel rewards that you can use to experience the world.
ase Studies of How Travelers Have Used MileagePlus Credit Cards to Save Money and Redeem Rewards
Here are a few case studies of how travelers have used MileagePlus credit cards to save money and redeem rewards:
- Case Study 1: A family of four used the United℠ Infinite Card to earn enough miles to book a free trip to Hawaii. They also used the card’s travel perks to get complimentary access to United Club℠ lounges and save money on checked bags.
- Case Study 2: A business traveler used the United℠ Explorer Card to earn enough miles to cover the cost of his annual business travel expenses. He also used the card’s travel perks to get complimentary access to United Club℠ lounges and save money on checked bags.
- Case Study 3: A frequent traveler used the United℠ MileagePlus® Club Card to earn enough miles to cover the cost of his annual travel expenses. He also used the card’s free first checked bag benefit to save money on his checked bag fees.
Expert Tips for Maximizing Your MileagePlus Credit Card Benefits
Here are a few expert tips for maximizing your MileagePlus credit card benefits:
- Sign up for a welcome bonus offer: Most MileagePlus credit cards offer a welcome bonus when you sign up for the card and spend a certain amount of money on purchases in the first few months. This is a great way to earn a lot of miles quickly.
- Use your card for everyday purchases: The more you use your card, the more miles you’ll earn. Make sure to use your card for all of your everyday purchases, such as groceries, gas, and dining out.
- Take advantage of transfer partners: United Airlines partners with several other airlines, including Chase, Marriott, and Hertz. You can transfer points from these partners to your MileagePlus account to earn even more miles.
- Redeem your miles for valuable rewards: There are many different ways to redeem your MileagePlus miles. You can use them for flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel rewards.
- Be aware of the fees: All MileagePlus credit cards have annual fees. Make sure to read the fine print before you sign up for a card so that you understand all of the fees associated with the card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About MileagePlus Credit Cards
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about MileagePlus credit cards:
- What is the best MileagePlus credit card for me? The best MileagePlus credit card for you will depend on your individual travel habits and spending patterns. Consider your annual travel expenses, the types of travel you typically do, and the perks that are most important to you.
- How do I earn MileagePlus miles with my credit card? You can earn MileagePlus miles by using your card for everyday purchases. You can also earn miles by flying with United Airlines and partner airlines, and by staying at hotels and renting cars from partner companies.
- How do I redeem my MileagePlus miles? You can redeem your MileagePlus miles for a variety of travel rewards, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel packages. You can also redeem your miles for merchandise, gift cards, and other rewards.
- What are the fees associated with MileagePlus credit cards? All MileagePlus credit cards have annual fees. There may also be fees for foreign transactions, balance transfers, and cash advances.
- How do I apply for a MileagePlus credit card? You can apply for a MileagePlus credit card online or at a United Airlines customer service center. You will need to provide your personal information and financial information
