United Airlines Needs to Step Up Their Credit Card — Big Time

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If United Airlines credit cards weren’t issued by Chase, they’d probably get a lot more people to sign-up.

I love Chase travel credit cards, their customer service, and the amazing travel I’ve had because of their superior benefits.  But the Chase 5/24 rule makes it difficult to justify getting credit cards like the United℠ Explorer Card.

Chase 5/24 Rule:  Chase won’t approve you for the most of their travel credit cards, including the United Airlines credit cards, if you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards from ANY bank within the past 24 months.  Exception:  Business credit cards from American Express, Bank of America, Chase, Citi, and Wells Fargo (and sometimes Barclays) do NOT count toward your 5 credit card total.

Therefore, the United℠ Explorer Card would have to be a terrific credit card to put it ahead of favorites like

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – I’ve had this card for years! Our #1 pick for newbies to using travel points
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – fantastic credit card for folks who travel a lot
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card — all the Southwest cards are great for earning the #1 deal in travel, the Southwest Companion Pass
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
• The World Of Hyatt Credit Card
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card
• IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card and so on

The information for the British Airways Visa card has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Here’s Where United Airlines Needs to Improve

Checked Bag Perk

It’s weak compared to what you get with credit cards like the

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

The Delta card grants the primary cardholder (you) and up to 8 others traveling on the same reservation 1 free checked bag each.  And you can pay for your flight with any credit card you want.

•  Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®

You get a free first checked bag for you and up to 4 travel companions on the same domestic flight reservation. The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Meanwhile, you have to pay for your flight with your Chase United Explorer card to get this perk on United.  AND you only get 1 free checked bag for yourself and a companion traveling with you.

So for family travel, the United Explorer Card falls short.  Oh, and on Southwest Airlines?  You get two free checked bags for every passenger whether you have their credit card or not!

Miles Multipliers

With the United Explorer card, you’ll earn:

• 2 United Airlines miles per $1 you spend on purchases from United Airlines
• 2 United Airlines miles per $1 spent at restaurants and hotels when you book directly
• 1 United Airlines mile per $1 you spend on everything else

Sorry United, I’m much happier earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points with my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and then transferring those points into your loyalty program when I feel it.  

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card I  

• Earn 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants
• Earn 1 Chase Ultimate Rewards point per $1 on other purchases worldwide

Folks with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® get better point multipliers (for a higher annual fee)

Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card holders also get to transfer their Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United Airlines.  So I’m not sure why United doesn’t make their bonus point opportunities for ongoing spending more generous.

The United Airlines Experience

I actively avoid flying on United Airlines.

Instead I use their loyalty  program to fly on their PARTNERS.  The program itself is great because the taxes and fees are minuscule and it’s easy to book award tickets.

I’ve flown Business Class to and from Europe on their partners Air Canada and Lufthansa.

And I’ve found it easy to book coach at a fair points price on TAP Portugal (Lisbon is under-rated and fun!), LOT Polish (incredible history in Poland and surprisingly terrific food), and Brussels Airlines (I did Brussels – Paris – Amsterdam, awesome time exploring those 3 cities.)

When flying domestically, if given a choice, I select JetBlue, Southwest, Delta, and American Airlines all before I’d get on a United Airlines flight.

Best Perks of the United Airlines Card

1 – The strongest perk of the United card is that it gives you access to more award seats.  People who don’t have the credit card see FEWER award seats than those who do.  I get it.  But I hate it.  I earned my miles fair and square.  I want to be able to use them.

I’ve enjoyed so much free travel to Europe with United Airlines miles I can’t really complain.  I’m just saying this is the best benefit of the card and it seems like they can do a lot better.

2 – I have to say, team member Harlan disagrees with me about the United Explorer Card.  He’s kept it for years.  He likes using the lounge passes and getting priority boarding.

Bottom Line

In my opinion, the United Explorer Card is cool and all, but it’s overshadowed by competing airline cards and by outstanding Chase cards like the Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

United, you’ve got a great loyalty program.  Now please elevate your credit card perks to compete!