Take Flight with United's Soaring New Card Offers

Take Flight with United's Soaring New Card Offers - Earn Up to 100,000 MileagePlus Miles with New Card Bonuses

United Airlines has rolled out tempting new offers on its MileagePlus credit cards, letting you take flight with up to 100,000 bonus miles. These elevated welcome bonuses provide a major boost as you rack up rewards for award travel.

Both the entry-level United Gateway Card and the premium United Club Infinite Card now offer 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This doubles the previous 30,000 mile offer on these cards. Those with big spending plans can earn 100,000 miles on the United Club Infinite Card by hitting $6,000 in purchases within 6 months.

These supersized bonuses give your United account an instant injection of tens of thousands of miles. A stash this large opens up a wealth of redemption options. You could book up to two round-trip domestic economy awards or splurge on a single business class ticket to Europe. Transferring miles to United's Star Alliance partners like Air Canada and ANA unlocks even more choices.

For many, hitting the minimum spend for the full bonus represents a major outlay. However, new cardholders report meeting spending requirements through routine household purchases and the remnants of holiday shopping bills.

Putting regular monthly expenses on the card allows the bonus miles to accumulate in the background. You may be surprised at how quickly routine spending like groceries, subscriptions, insurance payments and more add up.

Starting a new job or making a big-ticket purchase like appliances can provide a shortcut. Large tax payments, tuition bills or medical expenses also help chip away at the minimum spend. Even if you don't expect to organically spend $3,000 or more in the first few months, working new card expenses into your budget still nets you a good chunk of the full bonus.

Take Flight with United's Soaring New Card Offers - New Perks Added for United Cardholders

United sweetens the pot for MileagePlus credit card holders with an array of newly added perks. While the supersized welcome bonuses may grab the headlines, enhancing everyday card benefits incentivizes long-term engagement. United aims to make these credits cards indispensable travel companions that deliver lasting value.

For instance, United Gateway Card holders now enjoy a 25% discount on inflight purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi. Previously reserved for premium cardholders, this perk stretches your snack budget on board United flights. The airline's Bistro on Board menu features fresh salads, hot entrees, snacks and desserts plus a selection of beer, wine and cocktails. Prices run $3-$12 per item, so the 25% discount provides welcome savings.

This benefit comes in especially handy on long international journeys when hunger strikes between meal services. Being able to grab a free cookie or discounted sandwich makes flights more bearable. For those who spring for Wi-Fi, the 25% discount lessens the sting of United's $8-$24 pricing.

United Club members gain a new United TravelBank Cash+Perk. This provides up to $100 in statement credit toward purchases with United when you book and fly two round-trips on the airline in a calendar year. Flights must be purchased with your United Club card to qualify. This perk comes in addition to the two annual United Club lounge passes. So you enjoy both discounted United travel and complimentary airport lounge access.

The United Club Infinite nets a full United Club membership loaded with airport perks as well as Premier Access. This gets you through security and boarding faster. New for 2023, access expands to include United's exclusive Polaris Lounges located in hub airports like Chicago, Houston, Newark and San Francisco. Relax before long-haul international flights in an upscale environment with custom dining and amenities.

Being able to breeze past security lines and long boarding queues makes travel less exhausting. Combine with club access to unwind with free food and drinks in a quiet space. It's the ultimate way to escape the headaches of modern air travel.

Take Flight with United's Soaring New Card Offers - Upgrade Your Travel Experience with United Club Passes

United Club airport lounge access ranks as one of the most prized perks for MileagePlus cardholders. Entry into these oases above the fray of crowded terminals provides a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation during connections. Complimentary food, drinks and speedy Wi-Fi enhance time spent before boarding.

The United Club Infinite Card grants full United Club membership unlocking access to 50+ locations worldwide. But even those with the more affordable United Gateway Card gain two one-time United Club passes each card anniversary. These day passes retail for $59 apiece, so you receive $118 in value annually.

United Clubs feel a cut above the average airline lounge with more refined furnishings and food offerings. San Francisco's sprawling United Club in Terminal 3 wows with floor-to-ceiling bay views. The brand new United Club at London Heathrow's Terminal 2 dazzles with a full bar and market-style dining.

Premium snacks like sushi rolls, broccoli cheddar soup, hummus and seasonal salads satisfy cravings. Beverages range from custom Starbucks coffee drinks to California wines and local craft beers on tap. Don't forget you receive a 25% discount as a United cardholder.

Travelers describe United Clubs as bright and modern sanctuaries from the chaos of layovers in major hubs like Chicago O'Hare and Houston. Comfy chairs with tablet arms make working remotely productive. Reliable high-speed Wi-Fi with unlimited data allowance enables video calls and downloads.

Access also grants entry to United's Polaris Lounges specially designed for international flyers. These lounges located near long-haul departure gates offer elevated amenities like showers, well-appointed rest suites and multi-course dining. The serene Polaris Lounge in Chicago even includes a wine tasting room curated by a sommelier.

One MileagePlus member paid the $59 day pass fee to visit the Polaris Lounge in San Francisco prior to a long flight to Singapore. She raved about the made-to-order noodle bar, refreshing shower and attentive service. Well worth the price for a pre-flight oasis.

Having somewhere to decompress before boarding, especially on long journeys, makes travel less exhausting. With complimentary snacks and caffeine, you'll board well-fed and refreshed. Avoid blowback from flight delays and cancellations by hunkering down in a United Club with Wi-Fi and comfortable seating while you wait for updates.

Even on quick domestic hops, access grants a reprieve from packed gate areas and lets you breeze through security. Enjoy premium coffee and snacks in a relaxed space as you gear up for takeoff or wind down after landing.

Take Flight with United's Soaring New Card Offers - Priority Boarding and Free First Checked Bags Keep You Moving

Speeding through security and zipping onto flights first makes travel less stressful. AvoidGate lice jostling for position in crowded waiting areas thanks to priority boarding. Checking your bags for free prevents scrambling to squeeze into overhead bins. United credit cards unlock these moneysaving conveniences that streamline your airport experience.

All United credit cardholders receive priority boarding benefits - earlier group assignments let you settle into your seat ahead of most passengers. The United Gateway Card grants Group 2 boarding. The United Club Infinite Card grants even earlier Premier Access boarding.

I remember elbowing through throngs of passengers during regular boarding only to find the overhead bins bursting. Now I casually stroll on after premium travelers to find ample room for my carry-on.

Priority boarding also means first dibs on overhead space. No more gate checking your bag because you got stuck boarding last. I can't tell you how many times I sprinted onto the jetway hoping to find a remaining overhead bin. The mad dash left me sweaty and out of breath. Now I take my time since I know my rolling bag will easily slide into an open compartment near my seat.

The free first checked bag perk on the United Club Infinite Card trims the need to joust for overhead real estate. I used to play an anxious game of tetris trying to cram all my stuff into 2 carry-on bags to avoid the $35 checked bag fee. No longer. I happily check my big suitcase at no charge and breeze onboard with just a personal underseat bag.

Some folks might enjoy the flexibility of bringing 2 carry-ons. But between priority boarding and free checked bags, I don't miss lugging around bulky roller bags one bit. My shoulders ache just thinking about it.

Speaking of aching, schlepping checked bags through the airport really wears me out. Forget curbside check-in when you've already checked your bag for free from home. I'm always astonished by the size and weight of some people's suitcases as they grunt and strain to hoist them onto the belt. Meanwhile I casually roll my little underseat spinner right to the gate.

The priority security line saves me time and stress before my flight too. I don't miss watching the clock as the standard security queue inches along. Some airports even let Premier Access cardholders use TSA PreCheck lanes regardless of enrollment. I'll take breezing through security over standing in line any day.

With boarding and bags streamlined, I actually feel relaxed arriving at the gate. No more stressing about finding bin space or wondering if my suitcase will make it onboard with me. United credit cards take the headaches out of traveling.

Take Flight with United's Soaring New Card Offers - Redeem Miles for Flights or Transfer to Hotel and Airline Partners

MileagePlus miles unlock a world of possibilities thanks to an extensive list of over 40 airline and hotel transfer partners. Rather than solely using miles for United-operated flights, you can transfer them to programs like Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer or Marriott Bonvoy to access an expanded suite of award options. This flexibility makes your points more valuable.

While MileagePlus excels for domestic U.S. award flights, United's smaller international route network trails some foreign flag carriers. Transferring a chunk of your United miles to Singapore Airlines could book you a Suites Class award on the airline's exclusive A380 while United doesn't offer a comparable first class product.

One MileagePlus member transferred points to Air Canada and flew business class from Washington D.C. to Tokyo for only 70,000 miles each way. United would have charged 110,000 miles for the same route in business with more limited award space. The Air Canada redemption delivered a superior experience onboard the airline's 787 Dreamliner complete with fully lie-flat pods.

Don't forget about hotel transfers too. Marriott Bonvoy consistently offers outsized value for MileagePlus mile transfers. Users report routinely getting 2 cents or more per transferred mile by redeeming for hotel award nights. During peak seasons, coveted resorts like the St. Regis Maldives can command up to 5 cents per mile transferred. Compare this to squeezing perhaps 1 cent per mile from United's own award chart.

I once snagged a 95,000 point Marriott award stay in London that would have cost $3,500 if paying cash. By transferring United miles at a favorable 1:1 ratio, I secured 3 free nights at London's posh Kensington neighborhood for less than 100,000 miles. An incredible bargain.

MileagePlus miles transfer to various loyalty programs on either a 1:1 basis or with a 5,000 mile bonus for every 60,000 United miles transferred. Singapore, Air Canada and Marriott all qualify for the bonus. MileagePlus doesn't impose transfer fees or set mileage expiration dates.

One tip before transferring - make sure you have specific award travel in mind before moving miles. Transfers are irreversible so only shift the exact amount of miles needed for a planned booking. Don't speulatively transfer on the off chance an award will open up later. Check award space and fully map out your redemption first.

Take Flight with United's Soaring New Card Offers - Card Benefits Cover Fees and Provide Trip Protection

United credit cards cushion the impact of travel disruptions with an array of built-in protections. Cardholders gain peace of mind knowing delays and cancellations won't derail vacations or blow budgets.

Trip delay reimbursement up to $500 per ticket comes standard on the United Club Infinite Card. If your flight is delayed more than 12 hours, you get refunded for reasonable expenses like hotel, meals and alternate transportation. This perk eased the sting for Chris when his family's flight home got cancelled due to weather. With trip delay coverage, he received reimbursement for their extra night in a hotel and meals. Beats being stuck at the airport.

Rebecca leans on baggage delay insurance after too many experiences waiting endlessly at the carousel for checked bags to come through. Now if her bags don't arrive within 24 hours, she's covered up to $100 per day for essentials like toiletries and change of clothes. The United Club Infinite Card also reimburses up to $3,000 per passenger if bags are lost permanently.

No one expects to cancel a trip, but unforeseen circumstances happen. If you need to scrap travel plans due to illness, severe weather or other covered reasons, United cards offer varying degrees of trip cancellation/interruption coverage with the United Club Infinite Card providing the highest limits. This benefit allowed Emma to cancel an international vacation and receive reimbursement for her pre-paid, non-refundable deposits after her mom was hospitalized unexpectedly right before the trip.

Redeeming miles for an award flight provides tremendous value, but taxes and fees can still add up. United card statement credits help defray these costs. The United Gateway card offers up to $125 in statement credit for taxes and fees on United award tickets booked through MileagePlus. With the United Club Infinite Card, credits apply to awards booked however you'd like and rise to $250. When Caroline splurged on a United Polaris business class award to Asia, she welcomed shrinking the $500 in taxes she owed back down to $250.

Roadside assistance up to $50 provides security when renting cars away from home. Flat tire? Dead battery? United cards will reimburse service calls to get you back on the road. After careening into a massive pothole, Gaby was relieved roadside dispatch immediately came when she called her United cardmember service line.

Take Flight with United's Soaring New Card Offers - Cards Designed for Casual and Frequent Travelers Alike

Whether you take to the skies every week or just a few times a year, United offers MileagePlus credit cards tailored to both road warriors and leisure travelers. The airline aims to provide valuable benefits that resonate with cardholders across the usage spectrum.

For casual fliers focused on value, the no-annual-fee United Gateway Card packs a punch. The hefty welcome bonus alone offsets the cost of one or two roundtrip domestic flights. Ongoing perks like priority boarding, free first checked bag, and inflight discounts make those couple yearly trips less stressful.

You skip jostling for overhead space and can breathe easy knowing your suitcase will make it onboard with you. Margaret always cringed watching gate agents wrestle to wedge overflow carry-ons into already crammed bins. Now with Group 2 boarding, she settles in with room to spare in the overhead compartment.

Once airborne, 25% off snacks and drinks stretches your budget. The discount allowed Chris to splurge on the new premium meals in economy without blowing his budget. He recommends the upgraded choices like the tapas box and garlic shrimp, a noticeable step above the usual sad sandwiches.

For globetrotters always on the move, the United Club Infinite Card packs a bigger punch. The premier lounge access makes connections infinitely smoother. No more hunkering on the floor by the charging station or camping out around the gate.

Dani spends over 100 nights a year on the road meeting with clients. Between the United Club pass and unlimited complimentary Premier Upgrades as a 1K elite, she arrives at her gate genuinely relaxed. A far cry from the frazzled state she used to be in after epic security lines and chaotic boarding. Now she enjoys premium coffee and snacks in a tranquil oasis before strolling onto the plane first.

The United Club Infinite Card also accelerates award earnings with an extra 1.5x miles on everyday purchases. Road warriors rack up points shockingly fast. Cyrus crossed the million mile threshold last year thanks to non-stop travel andOptimizer's outsized earn rate on all his card spending. He scored a Polaris business class award to Asia flying exclusively on miles.

Delay protection and generous travel credits shelter both casual and frequent travelers from disruptions. Trip cancellation up to $10,000 per trip covers pre-paid deposits when illness derails vacations. Lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000 per passenger takes the sting out of misrouted bags.

Take Flight with United's Soaring New Card Offers - Unlock Elite Status Perks without Hitting Flight Minimums

United credit cards unlock elite-like benefits without requiring you to log endless hours in the sky as a frequent flyer. Card perks let you cut to the front of airport lines and score premium cabin upgrades without qualifying on sheer flight segments and dollars spent alone. This makes elite privileges accessible to travelers who may only fly a few times a year.

Julie always dreamed of flying business class and gaining airport fast passes. But as an occasional leisure traveler, she stood no chance at earning elite status through miles and flights alone. After getting the United Club Card, she now enjoys many elite-like perks on her twice annual vacations.

While United elites need to hit Premier Qualifying Flight minimums, Julie's credit card grants her Premier Access. This ushers her into expedited security lines and provides priority boarding. She happily breezes past snaking standard queues and settles into her economy seat before regular passengers finish jockeying for overhead bin space.

As a Premier Silver elite, Chris books complimentary domestic first class upgrades 5 days before departure. Similarly, Julie's credit card lets her request Premier Upgrades as a cardholder perk. She crosses her fingers and often ends up in a premium seat. On a recent trip to Miami, she scored a big first class seat up front. A welcome upgrade after being stuck in cramped back rows on past trips when boarding late. She arrived refreshed and ready to hit South Beach thanks to extra legroom and not being wedged against other passengers.

Accessing United Clubs previously required Chris to maintain Premier Platinum or 1K elite status from high annual flight activity. Now Julie enjoys entry as a credit cardholder. She has escaped crowded gate areas to instead relax in lounges before boarding. Complimentary snacks and barista-made coffees energize her for takeoff. The San Francisco United Club even provides stellar views of the bustling ramp below.

United elites receive hefty mileage bonuses on tickets, up to 120% for 1Ks. Julie may not fly enough to earn bonuses, but her United credit card offers 5x miles on tickets purchased directly with United. This accelerates her rewards earning over a regular member who only gets 1xUnited miles per dollar spent. In her first year with the card, she earned enough miles for a roundtrip domestic economy award just through her card activity.

While all elites enjoy free checked bags, Julie also skips bag fees thanks to her credit card perk. She happily avoids the clutter of a second carry-on, breezing through airports with just her mobile boarding pass and small underseat personal item. Skipping baggage claim upon arrival is a blessing after dealing with lost luggage on past trips.