Historically, airline credit cards were not particularly appealing, particularly when compared to other, more flexible card alternatives. Many airline credit cards earned only one mile for every dollar spent on nearly anything, and they didn’t offer many incentives to keep them active after the original bonus had expired.
But — things have changed.
However, although it is still true that certain airline credit cards are simply superior to others, there are now a number of options that are quite attractive. United Airlines is presently the issuer of some of the most valued airline credit cards available on the market. With four various alternatives accessible in the personal card line-up alone, they offer a solid collection of cards. For those of you who fly United at least once or twice a year, you should definitely consider having someone in your family apply for a United credit card in order to make your travel experience both more comfortable and cost effective.
A United credit card not only allows the cardholder to earn miles, but it may also save you money on United flights and provide you with access to lower-cost United award tickets, making it a win-win situation for many travellers who use the card. After completing the minimum purchase criteria, the United Quest Card, which has only recently been available, is now another choice on the table. The card is presently offering an initial bonus of 70,000 miles after satisfying the requirements.
If you decide to add a United card to your wallet, you will have a plethora of alternatives to choose from, ranging from cards with no annual charge to cards with a $525 annual cost. No matter which United card you choose as the greatest match for your needs, here are some reasons why you might want at least one United credit card in your family.
However, the extra miles are only the beginning of the journey. Listed below are four other reasons why someone in your family could require a United credit card:
Discounted Award Tickets
Earlier this year, my mother and I booked a straightforward award travel on United from Houston to New York City for her. As a result of our search for rewards from my mother’s account, United demanded 20,000 miles for the flight. I checked availability from my father’s account on the spur of the moment and discovered that it cost just 12,500 miles for the exact same journey. What is the explanation behind this? My father has a United Explorer Card, however my mother does not have a United card.
Those who have earned United elite membership, or even just a regular United credit card, are granted access to additional United saver award inventory that non-cardholders are unable to access for whatever reason. The concept of saver awards continues to exist, even in the current era with United’s dynamic reward pricing.
If a saver award is not available for the flight you desire, the award price you receive may be different depending on whether you have United elite status, a cobranded credit card, or nothing at all. Basically, if you don’t have a credit card or elite status, you may expect to spend more miles. In our research, those who had a United card or elite status were able to save an average of over 2,000 miles each flight.
Free Checked Baggage And Priority Boarding.
Tickets in the Basic Economy category are normally the most affordable options available when paying with cash, but they are also the most limited. The good news is that many United credit cards may make your Basic Economy experience far less limiting if you are travelling on a United-operated airline and have included your United MileagePlus number on the reservation, as well as if you purchased your ticket using a United credit card.
If you purchase a Basic Economy ticket using your United credit card, you will still receive the following benefits:
One carry-on bag for you and each of your travel companions who are going on the same reservation. No checked luggage allowed. Those who do not have a United card or elite status will only receive a personal item that is included, such as a handbag or small backpack.
For you and your travel companions who are going on the same reservation, you will be given priority boarding in Group 2. Otherwise, you’d be among the last passengers to board the plane.
When you buy your tickets for those United cards that generally provide that perk, you will receive a free first checked bag for you and one travel companion who is also going on the same reservation.
Save Money On United
It is recommended that you use your United credit card when purchasing food, drinks, or Wi-Fi on United flights if you spend money onboard. All United credit cards provide a 25 percent statement credit for onboard purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United flights. I’ve spent close to $20 for Wi-Fi on numerous United planes, so that’s a $5 refund right there in my pocket.
It goes without saying that if you have many family members who all require in-flight connectivity or food, the benefits of having a United credit card rise exponentially.
As an added bonus, the United Business Card allows you to earn a $100 United travel credit after purchasing seven trips during each card member year (flights must be valued at $100 or more). In addition, the United Quest card gives a $125 yearly statement credit that may be used for United flights.
Make Travel More Comfortable
The first two or three benefits alone are sufficient to make a United credit card a must-have for anybody who travels with the airline, but these cards also perform a number of additional functions.
The United Explorer Card and United Business Card both include two one-time tickets to the United Club, which may be a convenient way to grab a small meal and drink before flying with United without having to take out your money each time your account celebrates an anniversary.
The cards also cover the application price for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, which you must submit once every four years to be eligible. Because it is a feature given by many travel credit cards, it may seem a bit tacked-on, but because families can contain a large number of individuals who require these fees to be paid, the chances are excellent that a family will be able to put this perk to good use.