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Breaking down United’s credit card program updates

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    Beginning in late March 2025, both new and existing United credit card customers can earn more travel credits, seat upgrades and discounts thanks to its upgraded credit card program.

    United offers compelling perks and benefits to travelers across its portfolio of credit cards, and now, there are even more ways to earn rewards and attain MileagePlus® Premier® status. You may find these updates help you get the most out of your miles.  

    Read on to learn more about what’s new with United credit cards.

    United credit card benefits

    Notable updates to several United credit cards include new and expanded opportunities to earn Premier® qualifying points (PQP) toward Premier® status, travel credits, bonuses and more. That’s on top of already existing perks like discounts on in-flight United purchases and free checked bags.

    Below, you’ll find some of the updates for each United credit card. Review your United card details for up-to-date benefits and terms.

    United Gateway℠ Card

    The United Gateway℠ Card is getting a new travel feature. Now, you’ll earn two checked bags on United® - or United Express® - operated flights after spending $10,000 in a calendar year with your United Gateway℠ Card.

    United℠ Explorer Card

    The United℠ Explorer Card will now feature even more chances to earn rewards like statement credits and United travel credits.

    Here are some of the enhancements to the United℠ Explorer Card: 

    • Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 on purchases each calendar year.
    • Earn $100 in United® travel credits after you spend $10,000 on purchases with your United℠ Explorer Card within a calendar year.
    • Receive up to $100 in credits annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through United® Hotels.
    • Enroll to receive up to $60 in credits each calendar year on rideshare purchases when paying with your UnitedSM Explorer Card.
    • Receive up to $50 in United travel credits annually when you book Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com and pay with your United℠ Explorer Card.
    • Receive up to $100 in credits annually on flights purchased directly through JSX with your United℠ Explorer Card.
    • Earn 1 Premier® qualifying point (PQP) for every $20 spent on purchases with your UnitedSM Explorer Card, up to 1,000 PQP per year.

    United Quest℠ Card

    From Premier® upgrades on award tickets to priority boarding, the United Quest℠ Card has already offered traveler-friendly rewards, and Quest℠ Cardmembers may now have even more occasions to earn rewards like seat upgrades and more.

    Quest℠ Cardmembers will also see a generous upgrade to the maximum PQP they can earn in a year from purchases.

    Here are the details of the expended travel rewards for the Quest℠ Card:

    • Earn 5x total miles on hotel stays when you prepay directly through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers.
    • Get a $200 United® travel credit after account opening and on each account anniversary, which you can use to book a future United® - or United Express® - operated flight.
    • Get a 10,000-mile discount to use toward an eligible award flight starting with your anniversary year and every anniversary thereafter.
    • Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 on purchases each calendar year.
    • Earn 2 global Economy Plus seat upgrades after $40,000 in purchases within a calendar year.
    • Receive up to $150 in credits annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers with your United Quest℠ Card.
    • Enroll to receive up to $100 in credits each calendar year on rideshare purchases when paying with your United Quest℠ Card.
    • Receive up to $80 in United travel credits annually when you book Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com and pay with your United Quest℠ Card.
    • Receive up to $150 in credits annually on flights purchased directly through JSX with your United Quest℠ Card.
    • Receive 1,000 Card Bonus PQP each qualification year, starting in 2026.
    • Earn 1 Premier® qualifying point (PQP) for every $20 spent on purchases with your Quest℠ Card, up to 18,000 PQP per year.

    United Club℠ Card

    United ClubSM membership is an enticing perk that comes with the United Club℠ Card, and now the credit card offers upgrades to help you do more with your miles.

    Among the changes are updates to the PQP earning rate—1 PQP for every $15 spent on eligible purchases with the ClubSM Card—which could help Cardmembers earn Premier® status.

    Cardmembers receive a United ClubSM membership—at least a $750 value per year. In addition to the membership, here’s a breakdown of what’s new:

    • Earn 5x total miles on hotel stays when you prepay directly through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers.
    • Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases—up to two times each calendar year.
    • Receive up to $200 in credits annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers with your United Club℠ Card.
    • Enroll to receive up to $150 in credits each calendar year on rideshare purchases when you pay with your United Club℠ Card.
    • Receive up to $100 in United travel credits annually when you book Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com and pay with your United Club℠ Card.
    • Receive up to $200 in credits annually on flights purchased directly through JSX with your United Club℠ Card.
    • Receive 1,500 Card Bonus PQP each qualification year, starting in 2026.
    • Earn 1 Premier® qualifying point (PQP) for every $15 spent on purchases with your Club℠ Card, up to 28,000 PQP per year.

    United℠ Business Card

    For small business owners, the United℠ Business Card could have a lot to offer, including complimentary employee credit cards. United℠ Business Cardmembers may find that the new rewards structure is even more appealing.

    These are some of the new rewards Cardmembers receive:

    • Receive a $125 United travel credit after making 5 United® flight purchases of $100 or more each calendar year with your United℠ Business Card.
    • Earn 2 continental U.S. Economy Plus® seat upgrades after spending $25,000 on purchases each calendar year.
    • Earn up to $25 in credits on FareLock purchases annually when you buy FareLock on a United - or United Express® - operated flight with your UnitedSM Business Card.
    • Receive up to $100 in credits annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through United® Hotels with your United℠ Business Card.
    • Enroll to receive up to $100 in credits each calendar year on rideshare purchases when you pay with your United℠ Business Card.
    • Receive up to $50 in United® travel credits annually when you book Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com and pay with your United℠ Business Card.
    • Receive up to $100 in credits annually on flights purchased directly through JSX with your United℠ Business Card.
    • Earn 1 Premier® qualifying point (PQP) for every $20 spent on purchases with your UnitedSM Business card, up to 4,000 PQP per year.

    United Club℠ Business Card

    Upgraded travel rewards and an elevated PQP earning rate may make the United Club℠ Business Card a compelling option for business owners who fly regularly with United. With a variety of opportunities to earn PQP, Cardmembers can hit the ground running when it comes to qualifying for Premier® status.

    Members receive a United ClubSM membership (at least a $750 value per year). The following are some of the new and expanded rewards:  

    • Earn 5x miles on hotel stays when you prepay directly through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers.
    • Earn 2 Global Economy Plus® seat upgrades after spending $40,000 on purchases each calendar year.
    • Receive up to $200 in credits annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers with your United ClubSM Card.
    • Enroll to receive up to $150 in credits each calendar year on rideshare purchases when you pay with your United Club℠ Business Card.
    • Receive up to $100 in United® travel credits annually when you book Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com and pay with your United Club℠ Business Card.
    • Earn up to $50 in credits on FareLock purchases annually when you buy FareLock on a United - or United Express® - operated flight with your United ClubSM Business Card.
    • Receive up to $200 in credits annually on flights purchased directly through JSX with your United Club℠ Business Card.
    • Earn 1 Premier® qualifying point (PQP) for every $15 spent on purchases with your United Club℠ Business card, up to 28,000 PQP per year.
    • 5,000-mile better-together anniversary bonus when you have the United Club℠ Business card and a personal United credit card.

    In summary

    United is rolling out new travel benefits across its portfolio of credit cards. Several United credit cards now offer more opportunities to earn rewards when Cardmembers purchase eligible United flights, hotels, rideshare services and more with their card.

    Most United credit cards will improve the earning rate and maximum annual limits for PQP. That could mean Cardmembers have the opportunity to attain Premier® status faster than before. Review your United card details for up-to-date benefits and terms. 

    Find a United credit card

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