United Just Made Its Credit Cards More Expensive—What to Know

• United Airlines recently updated the costs and benefits of its travel credit cards.
  
• Travelers can now utilize credits on ride-share or hotel stays. 
  
• The airline partners with Chase Bank on its credit cards. 

A lineup of popular travel credit cards just got new perks, and more expensive. 

United Airlines, in partnership with Chase Bank, recently announced changes to its MileagePlus credit cards, including providing credits on Uber or Lyft rideshares and rebates for hotels and car rentals. Travelers who currently have a United Card will see the new benefits applied to their account as of today, and future cardholders will get the benefits as they sign up. 

Every credit card saw new benefits added, and the airline also designed a new card for travelers seeking new benefits. 

The United Explorer Card, which was $95 a year, will now have a $150 annual fee. It now comes with a $60 rideshare credit, $100 in United Hotels credit, a three-month Instacart subscription, and other perks to its benefit line-up.

A new card, called United Quest Card, is making its debut for an annual fee of $350, and includes a variety of benefits such as $200 in United travel credits, two global Economy Plus upgrade certificates, and bonus PQP points which can help a traveler achieve a higher tier of MileagePlus status. 

For the very frequent flyer, the airline is enhancing its United Club Card, which has a $695 annual fee, to include a membership to United Club, $150 in rideshare credits, and a 20,000-mile award flight discount. United says this card has more than $2,000 in total value. Its previous annual fee was $525.

Businesses and small business owners can sign up for business cards from United, which provide similar perks such as the travel benefits or club access. 

Travelers can find more information about the card line-up on United’s website. 

“We designed these cards to meet a variety of needs and travel styles – and as a result, the suite of benefits the cards offer for United customers is simply unparalleled,” United Airlines MileagePlus CEO Richard Nunn said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. “The easiest way to experience the best of what MileagePlus® has to offer is by having a United Card.”

For new cardholders, the updated fees and benefits go into effect today. For those who already have a card, the benefits start today and the fees change on or after August 1 except for the Explorer Card, which will change on January 1, 2026.

Airlines have long partnered with banks and other financial institutions to offer travel benefits and miles through credit card programs. For example, Delta Air Lines has partnered with American Express to provide credit cards to frequent flyers, who earn Delta SkyMiles for purchases and other activities. American Airlines has partnered with Citi to provide its AAdvantage miles.