The United MileagePlus Club Card is a high-end rewards credit card aimed at consumers who are frequent fliers and routinely choose United Airlines for their travel needs. There is a new card member bonus currently being offered. However, the hefty annual fee of $450 is not waived for the initial year of membership. This card is part of the Visa Signature network and is issued by JPMorgan Chase.
New account holders who are approved for the United MileagePlus Club Card will receive a $100 statement credit once the first purchase posts to their account. This offer is not available to current card members or previous cardholders who received a new member bonus within the last 24 months. Note: The following transactions do not qualify as purchases- balance transfers, cash advances, cash-like charges such as traveler’s checks, foreign currency, or money orders, or any fees associated with your account (including the annual fee). Once you qualify, it may take 6-8 weeks for the statement credit to post to your account.
Members earn miles at the following rates:
- 2X miles for every $1 spent on United Airlines net purchases
- 1.5X miles for every $1 spent on all other net purchases
Important: To earn the double miles on United Airlines purchases, United Airlines must be identified as the merchant on your monthly credit card statement. Purchases for UA tickets at some discount travel websites as well as on-board purchases will not qualify for the double rewards offer.
Net purchases are the total dollar transaction amounts less any returns or credits. Balance transfers, cash advances, cash-like transactions such as charges for traveler’s checks, money orders, and foreign currency, and fees (including the annual membership fee) do not qualify as purchases.
There is no cap on the number of miles you can accumulate in the rewards program. Additionally, your miles will not expire as long as your account is active and in good standing (including payment of the annual membership fee).
Card members automatically receive United Club membership. It takes approximately six weeks from the date your credit card account is opened to receive your United Club membership card. Authorized users do not receive this membership benefit but are allowed access to the United Club if they are traveling with the primary cardholder and both tickets were purchased with the United MileagePlus Club Card. This perk also extends to Star Alliance lounges in airports around the world.
The following airlines make up the Star Alliance Network:
- Adria Airways (JP)
- Aegean Airlines (A3)
- Air Canada (AC)
- Air China (CA)
- Air India (AI)
- Air New Zealand (NZ)
- ANA (NH)
- Asiana Airlines (OZ)
- Austrian (OS)
- Avianca (AV)
- Brussels Airlines (SN)
- Copa Airlines (CM)
- Croatia Airlines (OU)
- EGYPTAIR (MS)
- Ethiopian Airlines (ET)
- EVA Air (BR)
- LOT Polish Airlines (LO)
- Lufthansa (LH)
- Scandinavian Airlines (SK)
- Shenzhen Airlines (ZH)
- Singapore Airlines (SQ)
- South African Airways (SA)
- SWISS (LX)
- TAP Portugal (TP)
- THAI (TG)
- Turkish Airlines (TK)
- United (UA)
Card members and eligible companions traveling on the same reservation are eligible for Premier Access. Benefits include the following services, where available:
- Designated check-in lines
- Priority security lines
- Priority boarding
- Priority baggage handling
To receive Premier Access, the primary card member must include their MileagePlus membership number on the reservation. Note: Premier Access is only available on United Airlines and United Express-operated flights. Code-share, partner-operated flights do not qualify for this benefit.
Primary cardholders are eligible to receive the first and second standard checked bags free of charge. One traveling companion listed on the same reservation may also take advantage of this benefit. Again, this perk is only available on United and United Express flights. Code-share and partner-operated flights do not qualify. To qualify, the primary card member must include their MileagePlus number in their reservation and the ticket(s) must be paid for with the United MileagePlus Club Card. This benefit can save you $100 per round-trip ticket per person when checking two standard bags.
Miles can be redeemed for as little as 10,000 (or 12,500 miles) for a one-way Saver Award (itineraries of 700 miles or less each way with no stopovers). A one-way Standard Award requires 25,000 miles (roundtrip is 50,000 miles). These rewards are only valid for travel within the mainland United States- travel to Alaska includes additional add-on miles each way. Important: Award flights are subject to taxes and fees which are the sole responsibility of the cardholder. If seats are available for sale, members can redeem miles at the MileagePlus Standard Award level on any United-operated flight.
Hub cities within the U.S. for United Airlines are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington, DC (IAD).
Miles can also be redeemed for room upgrades and other amenities at any number of properties within the Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection. This hotel group consists of more than 750 hotels, resorts, lodges and spas in the world’s most desirable locations. As a United MileagePlus Club Card member you can enjoy Guest Privileges such as:
- Complimentary daily breakfast for two
- Room upgrade, if available on arrival
- Early check-in and late check-out, whenever available
The annual percentage rate on purchases is 15.99% (variable and tied to the Prime Rate). This rate also applies to balance transfers. There is an additional balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the total transfer amount (whichever is greater).
Card members also receive Visa Signature benefits, including:
- Concierge Service
- Fraud Protection and Fraud Alerts
- Extended Warranty
- Purchase Protection
- Price Protection
- Return Protection
The United MileagePlus Club Card has Smart Chip Technology for added security.
Card members are not charged foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the U.S.
The annual membership fee for this card is $450 which is not waived for the first year.
The Facts
Below we have broken down the specific details of the United MileagePlus Club Card to help you determine if it’s the right card for you.
The Good:
Signup bonus:
New card members have the opportunity to receive a $100 statement credit upon approval. To qualify for this bonus offer you only have to make your first net purchase on the card. Balance transfers and cash advances do not count as net purchases nor does payment of the annual fee. Note: this offer is not available to current cardholders or previous card members who received a new member bonus within the past 24 months.
Simple to earn reward miles:
Members earn miles at the following rates:
- 2X miles for every $1 spent on United Airlines net purchases
- 1.5X miles for every $1 spent on all other net purchases
Miles are earned on Net Purchases. Credits, returns, balance transfers, cash advances, cash-like purchases, and fees (including annual fee) do not qualify as purchases.
There is no cap on the amount of reward miles you can accumulate in this program.
Unlimited access to United Club lounges:
Cardholders enjoy unlimited access to United Club and Star Alliance lounges around the world. One travel companion is also eligible for this benefit- however both passengers must be traveling on the same reservation and the tickets must be paid for using the United MileagePlus Club Card.
First and second checked standard bags are free:
Card members receive this benefit as does one traveling companion (must be flying together on the same reservation and tickets must be paid for with the card). For two people on a round trip flight, this perk can save $200 in fees.
Premier Access:
Card members and eligible companions traveling on the same reservation are eligible for Premier Access. Benefits include the following services, where available:
- Designated check-in lines
- Priority security lines
- Priority boarding
- Priority baggage handling
Numerous redemption options:
Reward miles can be redeemed for flights and upgrades as well as travel benefits at over 750 luxury resorts and hotels worldwide.
No foreign transaction fees:
Card members are not charged foreign transaction fees when making purchases outside of the U.S.
The Bad:
Annual fee:
The annual membership fee for this card is $450 which is not waived.
Harder to qualify:
A very good credit score (720+FICO) is generally needed to be approved for this card.
The Ugly:
This card delivers solid benefits to frequent flyers of United Airlines and other Star Alliance member airlines. However, the double miles reward is only applicable to purchases of United Airlines tickets and does not extend to on-board purchases or UA tickets bought through many discount travel websites. “United Airlines” must be listed as the merchant on your credit card statement in order to receive the 2X miles.
If you do not live near a hub city for United Airlines and only seldom fly on United, it may be difficult to earn enough rewards to justify the $450 annual fee. However, if you are loyal to United and use the airline often for your travel needs, the benefits can easily outweigh the pricy membership fee. The free first and second checked bag benefit gives card members terrific value and unlimited access to the United Club lounge is a great perk for frequent fliers.
The 1.5X points on everyday purchases is fairly standard. If most of your expenditures go towards food, dining out, and gas, you might want to consider another rewards card which offers a high rate of return on purchases such as these. The United MileagePlus Club Card is heavily aimed at United Airlines frequent fliers and consumers who want high-end travel rewards.