Best credit card to use at United Airlines

Updated October 30, 2026

United Club earns the most at United Airlines: 5% in points at 1¢ each. United Airlines usually codes as flights. With no annual fee, Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi earns 3%.

Check with your own cards

Top 10 cards at United Airlines

1. 1
   United Club 5%
   Chase · $695 a year
2. 2
   Amex Platinum 5%
   American Express · $895 a year

   • Up to $500,000 of spending a year, then 1x Amex Membership Rewards
3. 3
   United Quest 4%
   Chase · $350 a year
4. 4
   Chase Sapphire Reserve 4%
   Chase · $795 a year
5. 5
   Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi 3%
   Citi · No annual fee
6. 6
   Wells Fargo Autograph 3%
   Wells Fargo · No annual fee
7. 7
   Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards 3%
   Bank of America · No annual fee

   • Pick travel as a bonus category (until you change it)
   • Up to $2,500 of spending a quarter, then 1% cash back
8. 8
   Citi Strata Premier 3%
   Citi · $95 a year
9. 9
   United Explorer 3%
   Chase · $150 a year ($0 the first year)
10. 10
    Chase Air Canada Aeroplan 3%
    Chase · $195 a year

From the issuers' terms

• United Club: “5x miles on all other eligible United purchases” creditcards.chase.com, checked 2026-10-26.
• Amex Platinum: “5X POINTS On Flights Booked directly with airlines or through” americanexpress.com, checked 2026-10-24.
• United Quest: “4x miles on all other eligible United purchases” creditcards.chase.com, checked 2026-10-26.

How this is ranked

Every personal card earnrate tracks, each set up at its best for this purchase: the right bonus-category pick, any activation done, and no spending cap used up yet. Points are counted at 1¢, what most are worth as cash or travel credit; transferring them to airlines or hotels can be worth more. Annual fees aren't subtracted here; to weigh them against your own spending, use My spending.

Related

flights · Delta Air Lines · American Airlines · Southwest Airlines · Alaska Airlines · Air Canada · Hawaiian Airlines