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It's a rewarding week for new and existing United credit card holders.
First, as of April 2, 2026, and for a limited time, new applicants are eligible for more generous welcome offers on several United cards. In addition, April 2 is also when the airline's loyalty program changes go into effect, meaning that if you have an eligible United card, you can enjoy an increased rewards rate on United purchases, as well as discounts and exclusive Saver Award fares.
Here’s what cardholders can expect.
Limited-time welcome offers
Increased bonus offers are available on several United cards when you add an authorized user:
- United Gateway℠ Card: Earn up to 40,000 United MileagePlus bonus miles after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases in the first 3 months of opening an account (30K + 10K more miles with an authorized user). The previous offer was 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening the account.
- United℠ Explorer Card: Earn up to 80,000 United MileagePlus bonus miles after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases in the first 3 months of opening an account (70K + 10K more miles with an authorized user). The previous offer was 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening the account.
- United Quest℠ Card: Earn up to 100,000 United MileagePlus bonus miles and 3,000 PQP after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases in the first 3 months of opening an account (90K + 10K more miles with an authorized user). The previous offer was 80,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening the account.
- United Club℠ Card: Earn up to 110,000 United MileagePlus bonus miles and 3,000 PQP after spending $5,000 on qualifying purchases in the first 3 months of opening an account (100K + 10K more miles with an authorized user). The previous offer was 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening the account.
Higher ongoing rewards on United purchases
Qualifying United ticket purchases made with an eligible United card on or after April 2, 2026, will earn more miles per dollar. And beyond what you earn with the card, you can also get more miles as a member of United's MileagePlus rewards program.
The amount of miles earned will vary by card and status tier, but here's an example of what your earn rate could look like as a general MileagePlus member with one of the following cards:
- United Gateway℠ Card: Earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible United purchases made with the card. This is the same as the card's previous rate, but if you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you can earn 6 miles per dollar (previously 5) on eligible United purchases as a general MileagePlus member.
- United℠ Explorer Card: Earn 3 miles per dollar (previously 2) on eligible United purchases made with the card and 6 miles per dollar (previously 5) as a general member.
- United Quest℠ Card: Earn 4 miles per dollar (previously 3) on eligible United purchases made with the card and 6 miles per dollar (previously 5) as a general member.
- United Club℠ Card: Earn 5 miles per dollar (previously 4) on eligible United purchases made with the card and 6 miles per dollar (previously 5) as a general member.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Note that basic economy fares are exceptions here: Cardholders who buy basic economy tickets will earn only 3 miles per dollar as general members. Non-cardholders without United elite status will not earn any miles on basic economy tickets with United. As a United cardholder, you’ll also get at least 10% off every United flight award ticket booked — or at least 15% off if you’re a MileagePlus Premier member — as well as access to Saver Award inventory in United Polaris Business Class.
United's consumer cards
Annual fee
$0.
$0 intro for the first year, then $150.
$350.
$695.
Other benefits
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Two free checked bags each year after spending $10,000 annually.
• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.
• Credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• 10,000-mile award flight discount per year after spending $20,000 on purchases.
• Several annual credits, including a $100 United travel credit (after spending $10,000), up to $100 in United hotel credits and up to $60 in rideshare credits.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• $200 United travel credit per year (good on airfare).
• Several annual credits, including up to $150 in Renowned Hotels & Resorts credits, up to $100 in rideshare credits, and up to $180 in Instacart credits.
• 10,000-mile award flight discount each year.
• Credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• Access to United Club airport lounges.
• Several annual credits, including up to $200 in Renowned Hotels & Resorts credits, up to $150 in rideshare credits, up to $100 in Avis/Budget credits, up to $200 in JSX credits (JSX is a semi-private jet service) and up to $240 in Instacart credits.
• Credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
