✈️ My assistant just booked 3 seats from San Francisco to Kona for 67,500 United miles and $16.80 total. That’s 22,500 miles and $5.60 per person instead of paying $1,000 in cash!!

Without a United card, that exact same booking would have cost 95,400 miles.

⮕ Just having a United℠ Explorer Card saved 27,900 miles on ONE booking on ONE trip.

With United especially it is becoming (shockingly) in your favor to hold one of their cards when it comes to getting rock bottom award rates.

Look at these flights to Japan!! The discount for card holders is WILD.

🚨🚨 And all five United cards just got NEW offers (keep scrolling!!)

United MileagePlus: the quick need-to-knows

• Your miles don’t expire. United miles stay in your account whether you fly this year or in five years, so there’s no pressure to rush a booking!

• No fixed award chart. Pricing is dynamic which is why it pays to search a few dates. That’s how 22,500 miles a seat to Kona happened!

• Cardmembers pay fewer miles. Since April 2nd, 2026, United cardmembers save 10% or more when booking United flights with miles, and Premier members save even more. TBH this is the whole reason a United card is worth a look right now. Differences like 76k versus 200k on business class flights, JUST for holding a United card!!
  • The flight must be operated by United or United Express. The 10% discount does not apply to flights operated by partner airlines (like Lufthansa or Air Canada), though you may still see a reduced rate compared to non-cardholders!

• Chase points move to United 1:1. If you already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® (my top long term keeper pick!)

• PQP = Premier qualifying points. These count toward United elite status if that’s your thing. You’ll see them pop up in a few of the offers below.

United℠ Explorer Card

⭐ My top pick for families!

Annual fee is $0 the first year, then $150.

What makes it work for a family trip:

• Your first checked bag is included
• Group 2 priority boarding
• 2 United Club one-time passes per year and over $500 in partner credits each year
• That 10%-or-more cardmember savings on award flights (HUGE!!)

Best for: Families who fly United once or twice a year and want bag savings without paying a fee in year one.

United Quest℠ Card

If you’re on United flights a few times a year, the Quest pays you back fast.

$350 annual fee

Where it pulls ahead of the Explorer:

• A $200 United travel credit AND a 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
• First and second checked bags included
• Group 2 priority boarding
• 1,000 PQP each year to jump-start Premier status, starting the calendar year after you open the card
• That 10%-or-more cardmember savings on award flights (HUGE!!)

⮕ Best for: Families who already fly United regularly and will actually use the $200 travel credit!

United Club℠ Card

This one is all about United Club access.

$695 annual fee

• Unlimited United Club access for you and a guest
• First and second checked bags included
• Premier Access travel services: Complimentary bundle of airport privileges to help you skip regular lines + speed up your journey
• Up to 20,000 miles in award flight discounts each year
• That 10%-or-more cardmember savings on award flights (HUGE!!)

⮕ Best for: The parent who flys United a LOT and wants somewhere calm to wait with a guest.

United℠ Business Card

⭐ My top pick if you want a card that doesn’t count towards 5/24!

$150 annual fee.

• First checked bag included
• Group 2 priority boarding
• 2 United Club one-time passes per year
• A 5,000-mile “better together” bonus each anniversary when you also have a personal Chase United credit card
• That 10%-or-more cardmember savings on award flights (HUGE!!)

You do need a business to apply for this one. Not sure if you qualify? I break it down in Am I Eligible for Business Credit Cards?

⮕ Best for: Business owners who are United loyal or someone who wants a stash of United miles (but doesn’t want to take a 5/24 slot)

United Gateway℠ Card

The Gateway is the easy, low-commitment way into United miles.

$0 annual fee

• 25% back as a statement credit on food, drinks, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights (and Club premium drinks)
• Once you spend $10,000 in a calendar year:
  • 2 first standard checked bags
  • 10% or more off award flights
• 0% intro APR for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases

Just know the best perks are tied to that $10,000 spend. If you won’t hit it, the Explorer gets you the bag and award savings from day one and is the better pick IMO!

⮕ Best for: Someone who wants United miles with no annual fee and a lower spend to earn the bonus.

Which United card is best for you?

💳 Here’s how I’d pick:

• My top overall personal card pick? United℠ Explorer Card
• Fly United several times a year? United Quest℠ Card
• Want lounge access every trip? United Club℠ Card
• Want a bonus that doesn’t count towards 5/24? United℠ Business Card (and pair it with a personal United card)
• Want no annual fee? United Gateway℠ Card

And if United isn’t the only airline you fly, start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and move points to United when the price is right.

Planning that Hawaii trip? My step-by-step guide to a Hawaii family vacation on a budget walks you through the rest.

Hawaii for 22,500 miles a seat?! When the math maths, I’m in!!

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