1 week Ago By Luke Bodell
United Airlines has made some significant updates to its co-branded Chase credit card range, including raising the annual fees and changing many of the perks and bonuses on offer. It has also split its lounge access membership program into two and removed some of the perks for basic members, meaning members will now have to pay more than double to retain the same perks. The airline says this will help to increase the value of its MileagePlus credit cards by delivering more benefits, while its United Club membership changes will help it "align more closely with competitors and help manage crowds," according to a WSJ report .
These four cards offer numerous benefits. Among the new benefits to cardholders include airline and ride-share partner credits, or complimentary Instacart+ membership. United also says it has made it easier for cardholders to reach higher loyalty tiers, arguing that the benefits of the changes outweigh the higher annual fees.
United raises credit card annual fees It will now be more expensive to have one of United's MileagePlus credit cards following the hike in annual fees: United Explorer Card - up from $95 to $150 (first year waived). United Quest Card - up from $250 to $350. United Club Card - up from $525 to $695.
United Business Club Card - up from $450 to $695. The United Gateway Card will remain without an annual fee but will now require minimum spending of $10,000 for reduced award prices for flights. As for the newly introduced rideshare credits, the entry-level Explorer Card gets up to $60 in annual credit, rising to up to $150 with the United Club Card.
United Explorer Card United's card with the lowest annual fee has gone up by 58%, rising from $95 to $150 per year (although new members will get the first year free). With the card, holders get two United Club passes per year, but will no longer be able to share these passes with others. United Explorer Card users can enjoy several exclusive services and offers.
United Explorer Card Annual Fee $0 for the first year, then $150 (up from $95) New Member Offer Earn 80,000 miles after spending $3,000 in 3 months Hotel Rewards Earn 5x miles (up from 4x) on prepaid United Hotels stays, and up to $100 in credit annually United Travel Credit Receive $100 after spending $10,000 per year Award Flight Discount Receive 10,000 miles flight discount after spending $20,000 in a year United Club Passes 2 per year, but only to be used by the cardholder or an authorized user Rideshare Credit Up to $60 per year ($5 per month) Car Rental Credit Up to $50 per year for Avis/Budget rentals JSX Flight Credit Up to $100 per year Instacart Credit Up to $120 per year + three months Instacart+ membership United Quest Card The United Quest Card will see a sizable $100 fee increase, which will take it to $350 per year. While not qualifying for lounge access, the card allows two Economy Plus upgrades a year, and will now come with three months of complimentary Instacart+ membership. Among the biggest changes is switching from two 5,000-mile award flight rebates per year to a one-time 10,000-mile award flight discount, provided cardholders spend a minimum of $20,000 each year.
United Quest Card Annual Fee $350 (up from $250) New Member Offer Earn 90,000 miles and 500 PQP after spending $4,000 in 3 months Premier Status Boost Get 1,000 PQP per year (starting in 2026) PQP Earnings Earn 1 PQP per $20 spent, up to 18,000 PQP per year (previously 9,000) Hotel Rewards Earn 5x miles on prepaid Renowned Hotels and Resorts stays + $150 credit per year United Travel Credit Receive $200 annually Award Flight Discount 10,000-mile flight discount each year if you book an award flight + another 10,000 miles after spending $20,000 per year Seat Upgrades Two global Economy Plus upgrades after spending $40,000 per year Rideshare Credit Up to $100 per year Car Rental Credit Up to $80 per year for Avis/Budget rentals JSX Flight Credit Up to $150 per year Instacart Credit Up to $180 per year + 3 months Instacart+ membership United Club & United Club Business Cards It previously cost $525 a year to have a United Club Card and $450 for a United Club Business Card, but this has gone up to $695. It will grant the cardholder unlimited United Club access, including one adult guest and children; additionally, with $50,000 spending or United Premier Gold status, membership is upgraded to an All Access, which extends to Star Alliance lounges. United Club Card Annual Fee $695 (up from $525) New Member Offer Earn 95,000 miles after spending $5,000 in 3 months Premier Status Boost Get 1,500 PQP per year (starting in 2026) PQP Earnings Earn 1 PQP per $15 spent, up to 28,000 PQP per year (previously 15,000) United Club Access Includes United Club access (1 guest + children), with All-Access United Club membership obtained after spending $50,000 per year or reaching Premier Gold status Hotel Rewards Earn 5x miles on prepaid Renowned Hotels and Resorts stays + $200 credit per year Award Flight Discount 10,000-mile discount for award flights, up to twice per year after spending $20,000 (total up to 20,000 miles) Rideshare Credit Up to $150 per year Car Rental Credit Up to $100 per year (two $50 credits) for Avis/Budget rentals JSX Flight Credit Up to $200 per year Instacart Credit Up to $240 per year + complimentary Instacart+ membership Previously, cardholders would be allowed two adult guests to the lounge, but this is now only possible with an All Access membership, which is obtained with Premier Gold status or $50,000 card spending.
More importantly, Star Alliance lounge access has been pulled entirely for United Club cardholders unless an All Access membership is earned. United Club membership changes United Club membership has now been restructured into two levels—Individual and All Access—and the base cost has gone up from $650 (or 85,000 MileagePlus miles) to $750 (94,000 MileagePlus miles). However, this is just for an Individual membership, which does not allow accompanying guests or Star Alliance partner lounges.
For these perks, it has introduced its new All Access membership which grants members the right to bring up to two guests, as well as gain access to most Star Alliance partner lounges. For this, passengers will have to pay $1,400 (175,000 MileagePlus miles) for a yearly membership, although discounts are available for elite status members. Want to know more? Which Star Alliance carriers offer credit cards in the United States Be advised that Individual members can still obtain access for guests but at an additional cost of $59 for a one-time pass.
The airline has also implemented a three-hour time limit on one-time pass users, but there won't be time restrictions for United Club members, premium cabin travelers or credit card holders with lounge access. Best way to gain United Club access? With the changes, lounge access remains cheaper through the United Club credit card, which comes with an annual $695 fee (up from $525). However, even then, customers who were previously paying $525 per year for this card have to shell out more, and don't get the same level of access they used to have.
Passengers have several ways to access United's lounges in the US and globally. This is also true of United Club's annual membership fee, jumping from $650 to $750 while also losing key perks, notably access for guests. With a United Club Individual membership, it is slightly more expensive than through the credit card, but you don't get any access for guests, whereas the United Club credit cards allow one adult guest and children.
Other airlines With Delta's recent limitation of Sky Club access for cardholders, there seems to be a begrudging acceptance that it is the only viable solution to the lounge overcrowding issue. In Delta's case, the airline added a yearly cap on lounge visits for its credit card holders, compared to a previously unlimited access perk. United has been less drastic in this regard, still allowing cardholders access for themselves and for a guest too.
However, it has removed this guest perk from its cheapest United Club membership tier, so its lounges will be somewhat less busy than before. Many passengers, and ultimately the airline, felt its Sky Clubs were getting overcrowded. When airlines make changes to their loyalty programs and premium products, it can often incur a backlash from customers who have not benefited from the changes.
British Airways found this out quite recently after overhauling its loyalty program, including transitioning to a revenue-based tier system. In BA's case, the public backlash actually forced the airline to change how status is earned, with the carrier now allowing tiers to be earned based on the number of flights flown, not just revenue. United's co-branded credit card side of the business has been thriving and hit record levels of spending last year.
With this in mind, the airline and its partner Chase feel willing to hike up the annual fees knowing their cards are in demand. The carrier continues to invest heavily in its airport lounges and has some major openings soon, including new lounges in San Francisco and Houston..
