20 cards ranked
Best credit card to use at United Airlines.
AirlinesTravel
United Airlines is one of the three U.S. legacy carriers and runs the MileagePlus loyalty program. United tickets code as airfare on every card we track. The Chase co-branded ladder ranges from no-fee Gateway to the $525 Club Infinite with United Club lounge membership; mid-tier Explorer adds free checked bag and 2 club passes, and Quest adds an annual flight credit. General travel cards often outperform on cash-equivalent value, but United co-brands waive close-in award fees and add status-credit boosts that frequent flyers value.
- #16.0%5x points
- #2American Express5x points on airlines (up to $500,000/year, then 1%)Booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, up to $500,000 per calendar year6.0%5x points
- #35.0%4x points
- #45.0%4x points
- #5FNBO5x points on travelAirlines, hotels, car rental, cruise lines, travel agencies, transit, taxis, tolls, and timeshares by merchant category code5.0%5x points
- #6Discover it Cash Backthis quarterDiscover5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.Activation required each quarter5%
- #7Discover it for Studentsthis quarterDiscover5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.Activation required each quarter5%
- #8Discover it Securedthis quarterDiscover5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.Activation required each quarter5%
- #9NHL Discover itthis quarterDiscover5% on airlines this quarter (Q3 2026) (up to $1,500/quarter, then 1%). Activation required each quarter.Activation required each quarter5%
- #104.8%4x points
- #114.0%4x points
- #12PenFed Credit Union4x points on travel4x with PenFed Honors Advantage (military or Access America checking); 3x otherwise4.0%4x points
- #134.0%4x points
- #144.0%4x points
- #154.0%2x points
- #164.0%4x points
- #174.0%4x points
- #18World of Hyatt Businessif it’s your top categoryChase2x points on airlines if it's your top eligible spend category that cycleAutomatically 2x total in your top three spend categories each calendar quarter, from dining, shipping, airline tickets bought directly with the airline, local transit and commuting, social media and search engine advertising, car rental agencies, gas stations, and internet/cable/phone services4.0%2x points
- #19Chase3x points on travel (up to $150,000/year, then 1%)Travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone, advertising on search engines and social media (combined $150,000/yr cap)3.8%3x points
- #203.6%3x points
Last updated September 14, 2026