Are United Airlines Credit Cards Worth It? Full Review

[@RaulHernandez-tv6yb]

My wife has the United Explorer card and she gets me in to their lounges as a guest. Very nice perk.

[@Spend.Earn.Travel.]

Oh that's very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@rhinosteveo]

@@Spend.Earn.Travel. This has also been my experience with the Explorer card for the past 5-6 years. I've always been able to use my second pass on a guest. Now, whether that is allowed by what's written or not is another question. But none of the United Club entry folks have ever said anything regarding that.

[@jimmyjames6492]

🏆Chase United Club Infinite Card🏆 Premier Silver Lite for only $525. Can't beat that. Thanks for the info + video!

[@projectvr3]

Hey Matt! Awesome video. Airline credit cards are always so interesting to me and the benefits they hold. I currently hold the AMEX Delta Reserve and Business Delta Plat (automatic silver every year as you mentioned). I was choosing between Delta and United, but I just see so much more value in Delta for the Reserve especially. Besides the access to Delta Sky Lounge and Centurion Lounges, having status + Reserve card holder gives me a little hedge for complimentary seat upgrades over people that have the same status as me. What really pays for this card for me at least is that when I travel with family (about 4-6) I get all their 1st checked bag for free round trip, huge money saver. United Club Infinite would've been the airline card I would've gotten if they offered complimentary upgrades just for being a card holder.

[@Spend.Earn.Travel.]

Great way to put it! I also have the Reserve and Platinum (and automatic silver) and it’s just hard to beat that. I really want to like these cards, but it’s hard to off set those annual fees!

[@jeff.0-3]

Nice video Matt. I'm actually looking to apply for a United card after I meet my spend requirement for the World of Hyatt card. I probably fly United more than other airlines since Newark is my home airport. Thanks for the helpful info.

[@Spend.Earn.Travel.]

Which United card are you looking into? Your home airport is a huge factor to consider! My airport is Detroit so Delta makes the most sense.

[@jeff.0-3]

@@Spend.Earn.Travel. I was thinking about the Explorer or the Club Infinite. The Explorer has some decent perks and a low annual fee. However, I'm starting to get spoiled on having lounge access, and I don't have United Club access yet. I've flown through Detroit a few times and really like that airport. Very underrated IMO.

[@ethan.colorado]

I think the club passes are 100% worth the annual fee. I would be eating at the airport anyway, so why not pay $95 for two meals plus a ton of other perks.

[@naveenthemachine]

Agreed. But one thing I should warn you about is that if your run into a situation where the club is full, they’ll put out a sign saying one time passes aren’t accepted. I’ve seen this in EWR especially.

[@uptowngirl45]

Must knowing that the United Club passes can be used ONLY in the USA, they don't work internationally.

[@Spend.Earn.Travel.]

Oh that's good to know! Thank you for sharing

[@davidmaib677]

I am thinking of getting the United Club card again. I live in Houston, fly United often and if I had had the Chase United Club card in the past, but only the Explorer card now (I simply had not researched any of this. , I may have reached Platinum already this year. By the way, once you achieve Gold on United, Singapore Airline, Lufthansa and other airline member clubs give you gratis entrance along with priority boarding. Big perk for me especially when I have a 8 hour layover in Singapore. (free showers etc and the food , wine etc. is great. Thank you for all of the info.

[@davidmaib677]

BTY, The IHG Hotel perk is intersting. I heard that they are the most lucrative hotel chain in Asia in term of being able ot buy points at a discount which actually might mean a lot in my near future.

[@robbren8679]

For me, the United club card is worth it for the lounge access alone. The IHG/Avis status bumps, along with the extra ways to bank miles make the card pay for itself in my opinion... as long as we pay it off :)

[@myceliasedits2704]

Thank you this is very helpful.

[@Spend.Earn.Travel.]

You're very welcome!

[@michaelfrock2473]

I wonder if it might be easier for silver status to go the Marriott Titanium route unless you fly United a lot.

[@msaylorBTC100M]

hi, I have an upcoming 3 to 4 month hotel stays later this year & I am choosing which hotel cards to pick, there are Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and Crowne Plaza in the area.. also I can get the Chase WOH, Hilton Surpass & Aspire, Bonvoy Brilliant & Bonvoy Business & Chase IHG Premier.. out of the Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium or Diamond, IHG Platinum or Diamond... which is worth spending $30k or more? my family will join me as well so breakfast (and maybe club lounge access) for 4 is an important factor, thanks

[@donaldrobertson5747]

Without question Hyatt. Hilton status can be bought with Aspire card (worth it) and Marriott Platinum can be bought as well with Brilliant card. Hyatt is a great card especially for the price but only gives Explorer status. With the number of stays its a no contest. I think even the other brand loyalists would agree in this case.

[@Successfinder123]

Has anyone started with the gateway and upgraded through the cards to get the mile offers? Is that even possible?

[@MMSTUDIOS5]

If I add my wife or daughter as authorized users, can they use the club passes and free luggage if they travel by them self?

[@naveenthemachine]

No they can’t. They have to be traveling with the primary card holder to take advantage of these perks

[@Emir_helvacioglu]

On the website to apply it says you’ll earn 9x miles in purchase with united

[@pappy924]

Just being a mileage plus member gets you 5x …. So 5x +4x is the 9 they are talking about

[@FatCat-tn1fj]

Don't cancel, downgrade instead.

[@Spend.Earn.Travel.]

That's true. Also another good option!

[@DaniloFaria7]

canceling a card negatively affects the credit score

[@Spend.Earn.Travel.]

@@DaniloFaria7 It can but not always. It really depends on the age of the card, if it was your first or second card even opened, and how large your credit limit is. In general, canceling a card isn't a bad thing.

[@datazndood]

I didn’t even know that was an option, that’s genius.

[@AnotherH8er]

I’m so torn between the United Explorer and the Delta Gold. I’m at 4/24 so I’m tempted to just get United out of the way before moving on from Chase for a while. Ugh! Decisions!

[@Spend.Earn.Travel.]

That’s a hard one. I would probably say go for the Explorer now while you’re under 5/24!