The best credit cards to use for United flights
You’re about to buy a flight, and you have a credit card with that airline’s name stamped on the front. That’s the best card to use for this purchase, right? Or would you be better served if you used some other credit card?
You have options for earning extra points and miles when you pay. Conversely, there are options for enjoying additional perks during your flight. Some credit cards can give a mix of both.
Let’s take a look at the best credit card to use for United flights so you can see your options.
Comparing cards for United Airlines flights
Aside from using a United Airlines credit card, you could also pay using an all-around travel rewards card that earns transferable points on travel purchases, including your next flight reservation with United Airlines. Here are some cards you might pay with and what you could get when using these cards:
| Card name | Earning rate on United flights | Value of the rewards earned* | United-related benefits from the card | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Club℠ Infinite Card | 4 miles per dollar | 5.4 cents |
|
$525 |
| United Quest℠ Card | 3 miles per dollar | 4.05 cents |
|
$250 |
| United℠ Explorer Card | 2 miles per dollar | 2.7 cents |
|
$0 introductory annual fee, then $95 |
| United Gateway℠ Card | 2 miles per dollar | 2.7 cents |
|
$0 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) | 10 cents | $695 (see rates and fees) | |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 3 points per dollar (or 5 points per dollar if booked via Chase Travel℠) | 6.15 cents (or 10.25 cents) |
|
$550 |
| American Express® Green Card | 3 points per dollar | 6 cents | $150 | |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 2 miles per dollar (or 5 miles per dollar if booked in the Capital One Travel portal) | 3.7 cents (or 9.25 cents) |
|
$395 (see rates and fees) |
* Bonus value is estimated based on TPG’s August 2024 valuations and not the card issuer.
The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Which card should you use for United Airlines flights?
Typically, earning transferable points (which you can use in many ways, not just with United) is probably your best approach. And if you use a card that earns Ultimate Rewards points — such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — you would be able to transfer these points to United Airlines later on if you want to make a redemption through the MileagePlus program.
But what if you need to check a bag? Do you get free checked luggage in some other way due to flying in a premium cabin or having status with United? If not, paying with a United card might make sense.
Unlike with a Delta Air Lines credit card — where the checked baggage benefit is attached to your loyalty program number — you must pay for your United flight with your United credit card to use the free checked baggage benefit.
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Simply having the United Club Infinite card, United Quest card or United Explorer card in your wallet doesn’t confer this benefit.
There are other benefits that require paying with your United credit card. These include earning bonus PQPs through credit card spending, receiving 25% back (as a statement credit) for inflight purchases with United and getting up to $125 in statement credits each year for United purchases made with the United Quest card.
A credit card with annual travel credits can also help offset your checked bag fees. If you don’t need to check a suitcase, consider whether you’re losing out on other benefits. Have you used your United Quest card’s $125 in United credits this year, for example?
If you want to avoid missing out on benefits like this, aim for the card that will give you the best return on your spending through points and miles.
If you choose to pay with your Amex Platinum Card to earn 5 Membership Rewards points for each dollar, for example, you’ll earn more value (in terms of rewards) on the money you spend but won’t get free checked bags — even if you have a United credit card in your wallet.
Some benefits exist regardless of which credit card you use to pay for your flights.
These include eligible visits to the United Club lounges, priority boarding and priority check-in benefits, getting 5,000 miles back in your account if you make an eligible mileage award redemption while holding the United Quest card and gaining access to saver award bookings with a 10% discount thanks to the United Club Infinite card.
Another benefit available to all cardholders and those with United Airlines elite status is access to additional award space when redeeming miles for United flights.
Plus, those with elite status with United and a United credit card can receive complimentary upgrades to first class when using miles for award flights. That can make holding a United credit card worthwhile even if you also receive numerous benefits as an elite member.
Related: The single reason I’d open a MileagePlus credit card as a United elite
Bottom line
TPG’s August 2024 valuations peg United Miles at 1.35 cents apiece. Even the best-earning option for United credit cards yields just 5.4 cents in value for each dollar spent on United purchases, yet more general travel rewards credit cards can earn at a higher rate. But, you need to pay with your United credit card to take advantage of certain benefits, such as free checked bags and statement credits toward eligible purchases.
Before paying with a certain card, evaluate whether you would be sacrificing benefits to earn more valuable rewards and how important this is to you.
Related: 4 reasons someone in your family needs a United credit card
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
