Checked bag fees can cost as much as $35 one-way — adding up quickly, especially if you travel with your family.
But by carrying the right credit card, you may be able to get these charges waived completely, and possibly even for your travel companions.
In this guide, we’ll go over the credit cards that feature free checked baggage as a benefit.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines charges a $30 fee for the first checked bag and $40 for the second on all its flights.
But for cardholders of the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card ($95 annual fee) and the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card ($70 for the company and $25 per card annual fee), you’ll be able to check a first bag for free for you and up to six additional passengers on the same reservation when you purchase your flight with your card.
These annual fees are well worth the cost, even if you travel with Alaska Airlines a handful of times yearly.
American Airlines
American Airlines charges $30 for your first checked bag and $40 for the second bag for all domestic flights, as well as those to Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
However, the carrier offers multiple cobranded credit cards from two issuers: Citi and Barclays. Both issuers offer a free checked bag, depending on the card you carry in your wallet.
Citi AAdvantage Cards
There are three Citi cobranded options that offer a first free checked bag on domestic itineraries:
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The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select and the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select extend this free checked baggage benefit to you and up to four traveling companions on your reservation. Both cards have $99 annual fees that are waived for the first year.
The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Meanwhile, the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers the same free checked bag benefit, but it extends to up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation. It has other benefits, such as Admirals Club lounge membership and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application credit.
Barclays Aviator cards
Issued by Barclays, the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard ($99 annual fee) and the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard ($95 annual fee) both offer a first bag checked free to the primary cardholder and four companions on domestic itineraries.
The information for the Aviator Red card and Aviator Business card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
None of these cards will waive the fee for your first checked bag on short-haul international flights.
Related: Best American Airlines credit cards
Delta Air Lines
Delta normally charges $30 each way for your first checked bag and $40 for your second bag on flights within the U.S.
However, through most of the carrier’s consumer and business credit cards, you’ll get one free checked bag for the cardholder and eight others traveling on the same itinerary. To utilize this benefit, attach your Delta SkyMiles number to your reservation.
Here are the six Delta cards that offer this perk:
Related: Best Delta credit cards
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian charges $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second bag on flights from North America.
Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard from Barclays cardholders receive two free checked bags — however, travel companions aren’t included in this benefit. The card comes with a $99 annual fee.
The information for the Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second.
Thankfully, you can avoid these charges if you carry the JetBlue Plus card or the JetBlue Business Card — both with a $99 annual fee. This free checked bag benefit extends to the primary cardholder (you) and three travel companions on your reservation.
The information for the JetBlue Plus card and the JetBlue Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Credit card showdown: JetBlue Plus Card vs. JetBlue Business Card
United Airlines
United charges $35 per bag and $45 for the second on all domestic flights, but there’s a total of four cards you can apply for to avoid checked bag fees.
The United Explorer Card ($95 annual fee, waived the first year) and the United Business Card ($99 annual fee, waived the first year) let you bring your first checked bag free for you and a companion on your reservation.
Meanwhile, the United Club Infinite Card ($525 annual fee) and the United Quest Card ($250 annual fee) let you check two free bags for the primary cardholder and one companion on the same reservation.
However, there’s a big caveat here. Per the terms of this benefit, you must have your MileagePlus number on your reservation and purchase your ticket with the applicable card for the perk to apply. If you use a different card offering a better earning rate on airfare, you may miss out on the free checked bags.
Related: Best credit cards for United flyers
Other cards worth considering
While opening any of the airline credit cards above is a great way to save on checked bag fees, what happens if you fly with multiple carriers throughout the year?If you tend to prioritize price or convenience over sticking with a particular airline, it may not be worth it to apply for a cobranded credit card that offers perks solely on that one carrier.
An alternative is to apply for a credit card that comes with more general travel benefits and can reimburse you for checked bag charges:
The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: What still triggers Amex airline fee reimbursements?
What you should know about checked bags
Here are some tips to keep in mind when taking advantage of your free checked bag benefit on your airline cards:
Free baggage benefits don’t stack
There’s a popular misconception that your credit card will offer an additional free checked bag rather than the first free checked bag. Unfortunately, these credit cards’ fee waivers wouldn’t apply if you already receive a free checked bag due to your elite status, class of service or travel to an overseas destination. Therefore, you will not receive an additional free checked bag beyond your existing allowance just for holding a credit card that offers this benefit.
Some airlines make exceptions, but check your airline’s policy before assuming a second bag will be covered.
Make sure to book your ticket correctly to use this benefit
With most of these offers, you only have to attach your frequent flyer number to your reservation to be given the free checked bag benefit. The exceptions are Alaska and United, which require you to purchase the ticket (or pay taxes and fees on an award ticket) using your airline credit card.
Be careful booking large groups on a single reservation
It’s nice that several of these credit cards offer free baggage for multiple companions, but there’s a potential catch. When searching for flights, airlines will display a single airfare that applies to all tickets rather than offer lower fares for some passengers. So if only three seats are offered for $300 each, and the next best fare is $400, booking four people together in one reservation will cost $400 each.
Clearly, paying the extra $300 will not be worth it to receive a free bag worth $50 each round trip. So before booking reservations for multiple people, be sure to check the price for a single passenger and take into account your credit card’s bag fee waivers before deciding whether to book your party with multiple reservations.
Book flights on Southwest
Southwest Airlines is the only domestic carrier not to charge checked bag fees for any traveler, offering two free checked bags weighing 50 pounds or less each on every single flight.
Bottom line
Airfare can be costly by itself, but additional bag fees can quickly add up — especially when traveling with a large family. Thankfully, there are several ways to avoid these costs. In fact, many of the airline cards on this list that offer a free checked bag carry annual fees under $100.
Therefore, it’s worth crunching the numbers. Even if you fly with that airline several times in one year, it’s easy to justify paying the ongoing annual fee — and that’s not even factoring in any welcome bonuses or other perks the cards offer.
Additional reporting by Emily Thompson and Jason Steele.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire, click here.
You’re about to buy a flight and you have a credit card with that airline’s name stamped on the front. That’s the best card to use for this purchase, right? Or would you be better served if you used some other credit card?
You have options for earning extra points and miles when you pay. Conversely, there are options for enjoying additional perks during your flight. And some credit cards can give a mix of both.
Let’s take a look at the best credit card to use for United flights so you can see your options.
Comparing credit cards for United Airlines flights
Aside from using a United Airlines credit card, you could also pay using an all-around travel rewards card that earns transferable points on travel purchases, including your next flight reservation with United Airlines. Here are some cards you might pay with and what you could get when using these cards:
Card name
Earning rate on United flights
Value of the rewards earned*
United-related benefits from the card
Annual fee
United Club Infinite Card
4 miles per dollar
4.4 cents
Visit lounges regardless of what cabin you’re flying in (but you must be on a same-day flight with United or a partner)
Premier Access with check-in, security, boarding and checked baggage delivery wherever these services are available
First and second checked bags free for you and a traveling companion (but you must pay for the flights with this card to receive the benefit)
25% back on inflight purchases and premium drink purchases in the United Club
10% discount on saver award redemptions for economy seats on United and United Express flights in the continental U.S. or between the continental U.S. and Canada
500 Premier qualifying points (PQPs) for each $12,000 spent on the card (up to 8,000 PQPs in total; only valid up to Premier 1K)
$525
United Quest Card
3 miles per dollar
3.3 cents
Up to $125 in statement credits to reimburse United purchases each cardmember year
5,000 miles back in your United MileagePlus account (starting after the first cardmember anniversary) if you make an award reservation with United or United Express — available up to two times each account anniversary year
First and second checked bags free for you and a traveling companion (but you must pay for the flights with this card to receive the benefit)
25% back on inflight purchases and premium drink purchases in the United Club
500 PQPs for each $12,000 spent on the card (up to 6,000 PQPs in total; only valid up to Premier 1K)
$250
United Explorer Card
2 miles per dollar
2.2 cents
Two one-time passes to the United Club each cardmember year
First checked bag free for you and a traveling companion (but you must pay for the flights with this card to receive the benefit)
25% back on inflight purchases and premium drink purchases in the United Club
500 PQPs for each $12,000 spent on the card (up to 1,000 PQPs in total; only valid up to Premier 1K)
$0 introductory annual fee, then $95
United Gateway Card
2 miles per dollar
2.2 cents
25% back on inflight purchases and premium drink purchases in the United Club
$0
The Platinum Card® from American Express
5 points per dollar (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
10 cents
None, but you can choose United as your preferred airline to cover up to $200 per year in airline incidental credits for things like checked baggage or preferred seat fees (enrollment is required)
$695 (see rates and fees)
Chase Sapphire Reserve
3 points per dollar (or 5 points per dollar if booked via the Chase travel portal)
6 cents (or 10 cents)
None
$550
American Express® Green Card
3 points per dollar
6 cents
None
$150 (see rates and fees)
Citi Premier® Card
3 points per dollar
5.4 cents
None
$95 (see rates and fees)
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
2 miles per dollar (or 5 miles per dollar if booked in the Capital One Travel portal)
3.7 cents (or 9.25 cents)
None
$395 (see rates and fees)
* Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer.
Which card should you use for United Airlines flights?
Typically, earning transferable points (which you can use in many ways, not just with United) is probably your best approach. And if you use a card that earns Ultimate Rewards points — such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — you would be able to transfer these points to United Airlines later on if you want to make a redemption through the MileagePlus program.
But what if you need to check a bag? Do you get free checked luggage in some other way, due to flying in a premium cabin or having status with United? If not, paying with a United card might make sense.
Unlike holding a Delta Air Lines credit card — where the checked baggage benefit is attached to your loyalty program number — you must pay for your United flight with your United credit card to use the free checked baggage benefit. Simply having the United Club Infinite card or United Explorer card in your wallet doesn’t confer this benefit.
There are other benefits that require paying with your United credit card. These include earning bonus PQPs through credit card spending, receiving 25% back (as a statement credit) for inflight purchases with United Airlines and getting up to $125 in statement credits each year for United purchases made with the Quest card.
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Related: United Airlines baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
A credit card that has annual travel credits can also help to offset your checked bag fees. If you don’t need to check a suitcase, consider whether you’re losing out on other benefits. Have you used your Quest card’s $125 in United credits so far this year, for example? If you aren’t losing out on benefits like this, aim for the card that will give you the best return on your spending through miles and points.
If you choose to pay with your Amex Platinum Card to earn 5 Membership Rewards points for each dollar, you’ll earn more value (in terms of rewards) on the money you spend but won’t get free checked bags — even if you have a United credit card in your wallet.
Related: The ultimate guide to earning elite status with United cards
Some benefits exist regardless of which credit card you actually use to pay for your flights. These include eligible visits to the United Club lounges, priority boarding and priority check-in benefits, getting 5,000 miles back in your account if you make an eligible mileage award redemption while holding the Quest card, and gaining access to saver award bookings with a 10% discount thanks to the Club Infinite card.
Related: United changes how it shows saver awards online — how to tell if flights are bookable with a partner
Another benefit available to all cardholders — and also available to those with United Airlines elite status — is access to additional award space when redeeming miles for United flights. Plus, those who both have elite status with United and have a United credit card can receive complimentary upgrades to first class when using miles for award flights. That can make holding a United credit card worthwhile even if you also receive numerous benefits as an elite member.
Related: The single reason I’d open a MileagePlus credit card as a United elite
Bottom line
TPG values United miles at 1.1 cents apiece. Even the best-earning option for United credit cards yields just 4.4 cents in value for each dollar spent on United purchases, yet more general travel rewards credit cards can earn at a higher rate. But, you need to pay with your United credit card to take advantage of certain benefits, such as free checked bags and statement credits toward eligible purchases.
Related: The best credit cards for paying taxes and fees on award tickets
Evaluate whether you would be sacrificing benefits to earn more valuable rewards and how important this is to you. Earning fewer points but keeping more cash in your pocket will make sense for most people. For those who don’t need to check a bag, you’re probably free to use whichever credit card has the best earnings on your next United purchase.
And whenever the planned Star Alliance credit card is released, we’ll see if that changes any of these considerations.
Editor’s note: “Points of View” is a series evaluating decisions on which credit card to use. If you’re facing a dilemma about which card is best for an upcoming payment, email us at [email protected].
Also in this series:
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, click here.
United Airlines has established a strong presence in Japan, offering nonstop flights from all its hubs. Additionally, United has a close partnership with All Nippon Airways, which operates flights within Japan and to numerous global destinations.
One valuable aspect of the United-ANA partnership is the ability to use United MileagePlus miles to book flights within Japan. This option is particularly beneficial if you need to book last-minute tickets or fly on peak travel dates. With MileagePlus, you can book many flights within Japan for just 5,500 miles and minimal taxes and fees.
After United increased many of its global award rates in spring 2023, this untouched sweet spot is a great way to maximize your United miles.
Why it’s special
As mentioned, you can use United miles to book intra-Japan flights for as little as 5,500 miles one-way.
This low mileage rate can provide great value. For instance, an ANA-operated flight from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) to Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) starts at $114 for a one-way ticket on Aug. 14.
But you can buy this same flight for 5,500 miles plus $2.60, providing a redemption rate of around 2 cents per United mile. That’s nearly double our valuation of United miles.
The same goes for other routes. For example, on some dates, a one-way ANA ticket from Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport (CTS) to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX) costs over $150.
Both routes — and nearly every other short-haul ANA domestic route in Japan — can be booked for 5,500 miles and minimal taxes and fees one-way in economy. Award space is generally plentiful, so you can book these award flights on most dates if you’re flexible regarding your departure time.
You’ll pay more miles when booking within 21 days of departure. For example, the same Tokyo-to-Osaka award a week from departure costs 6,000 United miles. This isn’t a significant increase, but it’s worth noting.
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And some longer routes within Japan cost more miles. For example, this flight from Tokyo to Okinawa’s Naha Airport (OKA) costs 8,800 miles one-way. Given that airfare is typically over $200 on this route, this is still a great way to maximize your miles.
Related: The best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles
How to book this award
To book intra-Japan flights using United miles, go to United.com. Log in to your account, and enter your search criteria on the homepage. Select the option “Book with miles” to access award prices. If your dates are flexible, you can tick the “Flexible dates” box, which allows you to view a month’s worth of award availability all at once.
You’ll see all available flight options at the center of the screen. Plus, you can see a week’s worth of award pricing at the top of the screen. Completing your reservation is straightforward from this point.
Related: How United’s current credit card offers can help you qualify for Premier status
How to earn miles for this award
It’s relatively easy to earn United miles. Here’s a look at some of the current cobranded United credit card offers:
United Explorer Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
United Quest Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
United Club Infinite Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 PQPs after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United at a 1:1 ratio. Here’s a look at some of the best Chase cards and their respective welcome bonuses:
You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to United at a 3:1 ratio. However, we usually recommend saving your Marriott points for stays or other transfer partners.
Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value
Bottom line
This straightforward United sweet spot can help you save money on domestic airfare in Japan. Redeeming United miles for ANA-operated flights within Japan can provide flexibility to explore different parts of the country and experience more of what Japan offers. So, keep this valuable option in mind for your next visit.
Chase has increased the value of points when using them to offset the annual fee as a statement credit on the Explorer, Quest, and Club Infinite Cards.
United Club Infinite $525 annual fee costs 30,000 miles (1.75 cents per point)
United Quest $250 annual fee costs 15,625 miles (1.6 cents per point)
United Explorer $95 annual fee costs 6,250 miles (1.52 cents per point)
United Business Explorer $99 annual fee costs 6,600 miles (1.5 cents per point)
Previously this was 1.5 cents on all cards. I updated this the other day in our main PYB post and thought it worth highlighting here separately.
With the start of summer upon us, now may be a great time to evaluate your credit card portfolio. Credit card sign-up bonuses and welcome offers are the quickest and easiest way to rake in lots of points and miles, so we regularly update the roundup of our favorite current offers in our best credit cards guide.
But to help you keep up with an ever-changing list of bonuses, we’ve also compiled a list of the best card offers currently available — especially the ones that are worth an extra look right now because they are at all-time highs or may end soon.
Since many issuers have restrictions on how often you can earn a bonus on a card, it’s important to time your application for when there’s a good offer. Also, higher bonuses don’t always stick around for long, so if you’re considering one of these offers, you’ll want to hop on it sooner rather than later.
Finally, if you’re not ready to jump on a higher-end card, consider these great starter cards or even one with a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) offer.
The best credit card offers for June 2023
Card
Sign-up bonus/welcome offer
Welcome offer value*
Annual fee
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
$2,400.
$695 (see rates and fees).
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
100,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
$2,000.
$95.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000 points after you spend $6,000 in the first six months, though you may be able to get a higher bonus through the CardMatch tool (terms apply).
$1,600.
$695 (see rates and fees).
American Express® Green Card
60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in their first six months of card membership. Also, get 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases in your first six months to earn up to $200 back.
$1,400 ($1,200 in points plus up to $200 in cash back).
$150 (see rates and fees).
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,388.
$395.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,388.
$95.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,200.
$550.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,200.
$95.
American Express® Gold Card
60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first six months of card membership, though you may be able to get a higher bonus through the CardMatch tool (terms apply).
$1,200.
$250 (see rates and fees).
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$900.
$69 (Plus), $99 (Premier) and $149 (Priority).
United Club Infinite Card
80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Offer ends Aug. 9.
$880.
$525.
IHG Rewards Premier Business Card
165,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$825.
$99.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a free night reward after spending $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of cardmembership. Offer ends July 19.
$780.
$95 (see rates and fees).
* Welcome offer value is determined using TPG valuations and is not provided by nor reviewed by the issuer.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
This business card stands out not only for its 120,000-point welcome offer but thanks to added travel perks that can easily cover the card’s $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). Cardholders enjoy automatic Gold status in both the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs, along with access to a wide variety of airport lounges — including Amex Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club (when traveling on same-day Delta flights). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Cardholders also enjoy 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked at American Express Travel, along with 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year).
Related: Amex refreshes Business Platinum Card with new perks, higher annual fee and a 120,000-point bonus
On top of that, the card comes with up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits and a 35% points rebate for flights booked through Amex Travel in first or business class on any airline (up to 1 million points back per calendar year), or in any class on the U.S. airline of your choice each year. Non-travel benefits include up to $400 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Dell purchases, up to $360 in credits toward Indeed, up to $150 toward select Adobe purchases and up to $120 toward wireless telephone services.
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Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Read our review of the American Express Business Platinum Card for more information.
Official application link: The Business Platinum Card® from American Expresswith 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Then there’s the Ink Business Preferred. According to TPG’s valuations, this card’s welcome bonus alone is worth $2,000 since you can take advantage of Chase’s excellent collection of airline and hotel transfer partners. Points redeemed through the Chase travel portal are worth 1.25 cents each, which isn’t bad, either.
Another factor in this card’s favor? Its tremendous earning rates. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar across the following categories on up to $150,000 in combined purchases (1 point per dollar thereafter):
Travel.
Shipping purchases.
Internet, cable and phone services.
Advertising on social media sites and search engines.
Depending on which categories you spend in, you could earn a whopping 450,000 bonus points per year if you maxed out that $150,000 cap.
Among the Ink Business Preferred’s unsung benefits are cellphone protection, primary rental car coverage (when renting for business purposes) and other travel and purchase protections. You can also add employee cards to your account for free.
Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card for more information.
Official application link: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card with 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of account opening.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Often referred to as the king of the premium travel rewards cards, the Amex Platinum offers a slew of benefits — along with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). Cardholders enjoy perks such as automatic Gold status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy plus access to a wide range of airport lounges, including Amex Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club (on same-day Delta flights). On top of that, you’ll get up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits, an up-to-$200 hotel statement credit to use toward prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (the latter of which requires a minimum two-night stay) via Amex Travel, and an up-to-$189 Clear Plus membership statement credit — along with numerous other perks. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Related: It’s a ‘lifestyle’ card now: A closer look at the Amex Platinum’s 6 new benefits
Non-travel benefits include an up-to-$240 digital entertainment statement credit (split into monthly $20 credits) for Audible, The New York Times, SiriusXM, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal and services under the Disney umbrella — including Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu.
Cardholders also receive an up-to-$155 Walmart+ credit (subject to auto-renewal; Plus Ups are excluded), an up-to-$300 SoulCycle bike credit and an up-to-$300 Equinox statement credit for eligible Equinox memberships (now available as an annual benefit rather than monthly credits). You also receive Uber VIP status and up to $200 in annual Uber Cash (split into monthly $15 credits for U.S. rides and Uber Eats orders plus a $20 bonus in December).
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Finally, cardholders will enjoy enhanced earning rates on many travel purchases:
5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year).
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel.
1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
And while the current welcome offer provides solid value, be sure to check the CardMatch Tool to see if you can receive an even higher one (offers are targeted and subject to change at any time).
Read our review of the American Express Platinum Card for more information.
Official application link: The Platinum Card® from American Express with 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
The American Express Green Card
The American Express Green Card provides a compelling offering in the mid-tier travel category. With 3 points per dollar on broader travel, restaurants and transit as well as annual statement credits for Clear and LoungeBuddy that more than cover its annual fee, the Green from Amex is a card that modern travelers should consider.
The earning rates and benefits of the American Express Green Card will be most attractive to young professionals and millennials (or millennials at heart) who travel for work, pleasure or both. The card earns 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar on travel, restaurants and transit, so you’ll want to consider this card if a large chunk of your budget goes toward these categories.
The Amex Green also offers annual up to $189 Clear Plus and up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credits that can more than offset the $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) while making your time in the airport more efficient and relaxing. If you can utilize these statement credits, the card can easily be a worthwhile addition to your purse or wallet.
Read our review of the Amex Green for more information.
Official application link: Amex Green with 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Also, get 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases in your first six months to earn up to $200 back.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Venture X card is Capital One’s premium rewards card and offers great earning rates and incredible perks.
Aside from a hefty welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months – worth about $1,388 according to our valuations thanks to Capital One’s excellent airline and hotel transfer partners – the card gives members up to $300 back in statement credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on their first anniversary (worth $100 toward travel, or $185 by our valuations).
As for earning rates, the Venture X racks up 10 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel, and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on everything else.
Frequent travelers will also enjoy taking advantage of access to Capital One’s developing network of airport lounges as well as the ability to enroll for Priority Pass membership for entry into more than 1,300 lounge locations worldwide (though this no longer includes participating restaurants). It also added the ability to access Plaza Premium lounges worldwide in 2022 and launched The Premier Collection in 2023, giving cardmembers on-property perks at a curated set of luxury hotels.
Read our review of the Capital One Venture X card for more information.
Official application link: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card with 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Venture Rewards packs a pretty good punch for a mid-tier credit card. It earns a flat 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases worldwide, but you can earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. The miles you earn with this card can be transferred to Capital One’s 17 airline and three hotel partners or redeemed through the Capital One Travel portal.
The card stands out for offering an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years; many other cards that offer this benefit have annual fees of $400 or more. This TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit alone is worth up to $100. When making everyday purchases, you may also get Warranty Manager Service which can be used for extended warranty protection. The Venture Rewards card doesn’t impose foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card overseas without accumulating extra charges.
Read our review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Card for more information.
Official application link: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card with 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
This is one of the best premium credit cards available.
It earns a whopping 10 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025), Chase Dining booked through Ultimate Rewards, and hotel and car rental purchases through the Ultimate Rewards Travel portal. Cardholders also earn 5 points per dollar on airline travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards Travel portal, 3 points per dollar on travel (after using the $300 travel credit) and dining, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Chase defines travel and dining quite broadly, including everything from parking fees to Airbnb stays and food delivery orders. Perks of the card include a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass membership, a $5 monthly DoorDash in-app credit (through December 2024), a complimentary DashPass membership and an impressive array of travel protections.
Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for more information.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve with 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
If you can’t justify a high annual fee or want a solid card with an appealing set of perks, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an ideal fit. It earns 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3 points per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out; 3 points per dollar on select streaming services; 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per dollar on all other travel; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
The points you earn with this card can be transferred to Chase’s airline and hotel partners or redeemed for 1.25 cents each through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Benefits include a $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Ultimate Rewards, at least 12 months of DashPass membership (when activated by Dec. 31, 2024), primary rental car coverage, up to $500 in trip delay reimbursement if you’re delayed more than 12 hours or overnight, up to $10,000 in trip cancellation and interruption insurance and up to $100 per day for up to five days in baggage delay reimbursement if your bag is delayed more than six hours.
Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred for more information.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred with 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
American Express® Gold Card
The Amex Gold card is a favorite of many TPG staffers thanks (in large part) to its terrific earning rates:
4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (1 point per dollar after that).
3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
The card also offers up to $120 in annual credit for Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases and up to $120 in statement credits for select dining purchases (enrollment is required for select benefits) — all for a manageable annual fee of $250 (see rates and fees)
And while it’s not providing a limited-time bonus for new cardmembers, you can often find elevated welcome offers through the CardMatch tool. The card currently features a public welcome offer of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. However, some new customers can earn a 75,000-point or even 90,000-point welcome offer via the CardMatch tool after meeting the same minimum spending requirements. Note that these elevated offers are targeted and subject to change at any time.
Alternatively, you can refer a friend through the Amex referral program — and when your friend applies for a new account by June 7, you can earn an additional +5 rewards per dollar (as either points or cash back, depending on the card) on eligible U.S. supermarket purchases for three months after they’re approved (starting from the first date the referred friend’s account is opened), on up to $25,000.
Additionally, new applicants for the Amex Gold through a referral link will be eligible for an up to $200 statement credit after reaching minimum spending requirements, on top of that card’s usual welcome offer.
Read our review of the American Express Gold Card for more information.
Official application link: American Express® Gold Card with 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Southwest personal cards
All three personal of Southwest’s personal credit cards — the Rapid Rewards Plus, Rapid Rewards Premier and Rapid Rewards Priority — are currently sporting identical welcome offers: 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This is the first time Southwest has offered a promo code as part of a sign-up bonus on a credit card.
The code will appear directly in your Southwest.com account within eight weeks of meeting the spending requirement. It can be used — only once — on a single one-way or round-trip Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Business Select fare, and is available for use until October 31, 2024.
Given it is a single-use promo code, it would be best to save this for a more expensive ticket. You’ll get the biggest savings when using the code for round-trip travel and/or during peak travel periods like the summer or the holidays.
Read more about the three cards and this limited-time offer.
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
United Club Infinite Card
The United Club Infinite Card is the ideal card for United lounge access — bar none.
The United Club Infinite Card’s $525 annual fee sounds high until you factor in the United Club membership included with the card. Membership normally costs $650 per year for non-elite members.
In addition, one of the primary disadvantages of many airline credit cards is a low return on spending, even on branded purchases, as most airline cards only offer 2 or 3 points per dollar on airline purchases. But the United Club Infinite Card sets a new standard with an impressive 4 points per dollar on United purchases.
If you spend thousands of dollars on United flights each year, the United Club Infinite Card is worth considering.
Read our review of the United Club Infinite for more information.
Official application link: United Club Infinite with 80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Offer ends Aug. 9.
IHG Rewards Premier Business Card
New applicants for the IHG Rewards Premier Business card can earn 165,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Your bonus will come in the form of IHG points, which TPG values at half a cent each. Thus, this bonus is worth $825.
Generally speaking, you won’t get fantastic earning rates on most hotel credit cards — especially on broad categories like dining and groceries. That said, the IHG Premier Business card could be a solid option, especially at participating IHG properties.
When you use your card at IHG hotels and resorts, you’ll earn 10 points per dollar spent on your stay. This is in addition to the 10 base points that all IHG One Rewards members accrue at most participating brands. And since you have automatic Platinum Elite status with the card, that’ll give you another 60% bonus on top of the base points. When combined, that translates to a total of 26 points per dollar spent on most IHG stays — or a 13% return on spending, based on TPG’s valuations.
Beyond IHG purchases, cardholders of the IHG Premier Business will earn points at the following rates:
5 points per dollar spent on travel, dining and gas purchases.
5 points per dollar in select business categories, such as social media and search engine advertising and at office supply stores.
3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
You’ll also receive a free night certificate (worth up to 40,000 points) every year when you renew your card and enjoy your fourth night free on award stays of four nights (or longer)
Read our full review of the IHG Rewards Premier Business for more information.
Official application link: IHG Rewards Premier Business card with 165,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card provides solid earnings at Hilton properties and automatic Hilton Gold elite status, which offers complimentary breakfast, increased earnings and space-available upgrades when you stay at Hilton properties.
Hilton Honors Gold status is one of the best mid-tier hotel loyalty statuses you can obtain. As a Hilton Gold elite member, you’ll get complimentary breakfast, space-available room upgrades and improved earnings when staying at Hilton brands. Luckily, you can easily earn and maintain Hilton Gold status since it is an automatic perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card.
The Hilton Surpass card is an ideal choice for those who stay at Hilton properties often and want a cobranded credit card with a modest annual fee and valuable perks.
Read our full review of the Hilton Surpass for more information.
Official application link: Hilton Surpass with 130,000 bonus points and a free night reward after spending $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of cardmembership. Offer ends July 19.
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG valuations and not provided by issuers.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass, click here.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and Eric Rosen.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you’re looking for a way to both support the LGBTQIA+ community and earn some frequent flyer miles, there’s a good opportunity from United Airlines you won’t want to miss.
During the month of June, United MileagePlus is offering 5 miles per dollar donated to three LGBTQIA+ charities. The offer is valid for donations of up to $1,000 per United card made to the following charities:
The Trevor Project, which is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for those who identify as LGBTQIA+.
The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQIA+ advocacy group and lobbying organization in the U.S.
StartOut, a nonprofit organization that focuses on the growth of the LGBTQIA+ community in the workforce.
While you would only earn $12.10 worth of miles for every $1,000 donation, according to our latest valuations, you can take pride in the fact that you helped the efforts of a noteworthy cause.
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To take advantage of this promotion, you’ll first need to make sure you are the primary cardholder of one of these United credit cards:
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United Gateway Card.
United Explorer Card.
United Quest Card.
United Club Infinite Card.
United Business Card.
United Club Business Card.
Click through to your selected charity on this page (note that donations to local chapters of these organizations may not be eligible), then select how much you wish to donate.
Keep in mind that this United MileagePlus offer is applicable for donations totaling no more than $1,000 per card. No registration is required to benefit from this promotion. To receive your miles, all you have to do is make your donation with your chosen United credit card by June 30, 2022. The bonus miles may take up to eight weeks to post to your account.
Full terms and conditions for the promotion are available here.
If you have more than one of the cards listed above, you can max out the promotion on each card. For example, you can make a $1,000 donation with your United Club Infinite Card and another $1,000 donation with your United Business Card to receive 5,000 miles per donation, or a total of 10,000 miles.
Related: Happy Pride! Here’s all we’re doing at The Points Guy to celebrate Pride Month
With over 5,000 locations worldwide, you can find an Avis branch in most major cities. Its loyalty program, Avis Preferred, is free to join and can help you skip the line at the rental counter at some locations. Preferred members have their rental preferences and details on file, making picking up your vehicle quick and convenient.
Also, at some U.S. locations, Avis Preferred members can select their car on the mobile app. The mobile app lets you make reservations, view and modify bookings, access receipts and manage your Avis Preferred profile.
Ahead of what’s likely to be a record-busy summer of travel, now is the perfect time to sign up for Avis Preferred status to save time in line and be on your way faster.
What is Avis Preferred?
Avis Preferred members can earn and redeem points for qualifying rentals. Preferred members also receive expedited service at some locations so you can go right to your car.
Avis Preferred elite status also entitles you to various benefits.
Avis Preferred elite status
Avis Preferred has two published elite status tiers. Here’s an overview of some of the benefits you receive as an Avis Preferred elite member:
Avis Preferred
Avis Preferred Plus
Avis President’s Club
Qualifications
Free to join, open to the public.
10 rentals or spending $4,000 per calendar year.
20 rentals or spending $6,000 per calendar year.
Point accrual rate
1 point per dollar on rental cars.
2 points per dollar on accessories.
1.25 points per dollar on rental cars.
2.5 points per dollar on accessories.
1.5 points per dollar on rental cars.
3 points per dollar on accessories.
Expedited service
✓
✓
✓
Upgrades
Up to one class.
Up to two classes.
Guaranteed vehicle
Up to full size with 24-hour notice.
You can also earn Avis Preferred Plus status after earning 60,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points or by holding United Premier Silver or Gold status. Primary cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve are also eligible for Avis Preferred Plus status.
Avis President’s Club is also available to those who earn 100,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points or United Premier Platinum, 1K or Global Services members. Primary card members of the United Club℠ Infinite Card, United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Card, United Club℠ Business Card and United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Business Card also are eligible for instant President’s Club status.
If you don’t have Avis status but hold another rental car status, you can submit a status match form here.
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The information for the United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Card, United Club℠ Business Card and United℠ Presidential Plus℠ Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: United and Avis ink new partnership with free status matches, mileage redemptions
How to earn Avis Preferred points
You can earn Avis Preferred points or partner points and miles on qualifying Avis rentals. As a base Avis Preferred member, you earn 1 point per dollar spent on the base rate of your rental and 2 points per dollar spent on accessories like satellite radio and car seats.
You can also opt to earn partner points and miles instead of Avis Preferred points. Avis has over 50 airline partners and nine hotel partners. You can earn points with Avis’ other partners, like Eurostar. Just note that for rentals in the United States, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix and Canada, you may be subject to a frequent flyer surcharge or excise tax if you earn airline miles or hotel points instead of Avis Preferred points. This generally costs $1.50 per rental day. To change your rewards preferences from Avis Preferred points to the loyalty program of your choice, log into your Avis Preferred account, go to your profile homepage, click “rewards,” and then “edit.”
You can then opt to receive partner points and miles.
After you enter your partner loyalty number and save your preferences, Avis will automatically start crediting points and miles to your partner account and charging you the frequent flyer surcharge/excise tax on qualifying rentals. As noted, you can’t earn partner miles and Avis Preferred points on all rates.
Avis has negotiated rates for the members of many of its partners. For example, the United Airlines MileagePlus AWD (Avis Worldwide Discount) number drops the base price of this airport rental by over 50%.
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AVIS.COM
You can use your partner program’s AWD rate regardless of whether or not you’re earning miles on your rental. Be prepared to present proof of your partner loyalty program membership if asked.
How to redeem Avis Preferred points
Avis advertises that you can redeem Avis Preferred points with no blackout dates. However, you can’t redeem Avis points at all locations.
Reward day level
Standard base rate (does not include AWDs, special rates or any other offers)
Cost
Level 1
Up to $50.
700 points.
Level 2
$50.01 to $85.
1,400 points.
Level 3
$85.01 to $125.
2,100 points.
Level 4
$125.01 to $225.
3,500 points.
To redeem points, log into your Avis account, enter your search criteria, select your car and apply your points at check out. You can refer to this page for more information on redeeming Avis points.
Related: How to redeem points and miles for car rentals
Best credit cards for Avis car rentals
Ideally, you should use a card that provides both Avis elite status and primary rental car insurance (on most rentals). The only major credit card that offers top-tier President’s Circle status and primary rental car insurance on most Avis rentals is the United Club Infinite Card.
Other cards that offer primary rental insurance include:
*Eligibility and Benefit level vary by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc
Related: 9 rental car rewards programs you need to know about
Bottom line
In my experience as a President’s Circle member, I haven’t received nearly as many Avis upgrades, free days and the same quality of service as National Executive Elite.
However, Avis Preferred status can certainly make your travel more enjoyable by allowing you to bypass lines, track your rentals through the app and earn points toward free days. If you haven’t signed up with Avis Preferred yet, we recommend joining for free.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.
If you’re having difficulty finding saver award availability with United Airlines, you’re not alone.
Ever since United MileagePlus scrapped its official award charts, saver awards (the seats that require fewer miles and are also available to partner airlines) have felt harder to find. Saver award space greatly affects the value of your award redemption, as dynamically priced awards can surpass 50,000 miles for a one-way domestic, economy-class flight (though even prices for saver seats are subject to devaluations — as we saw recently).
Today, we’ll explore an exclusive benefit that enables United MileagePlus elite members and eligible cobranded credit card holders to access hidden saver awards on United and United Express flights.
Who has access to United’s expanded saver awards?
There are two paths to access expanded saver awards on United flights: United cobranded credit cards and elite status.
If you’re the primary cardholder of a United Explorer Card, United Business Card, United Quest Card or United Club Infinite Card, you can access expanded economy-class saver awards, giving you access to the XN fare class. United releases more seats to the XN fare than the X fare (the standard fare class for economy-class saver awards).
United Premier Silver and Gold members have the same XN fare class access to expanded economy-class saver awards. In contrast, Premier Platinum, 1K and Global Services members also have access to expanded business- and first-class saver awards, with access to the IN fare class. As you may have expected, United generally releases more seats to the IN fare than the I fare (the standard fare class for business-class and domestic first-class saver awards).
The expanded saver award benefit is only eligible for MileagePlus reservations, so even if you’re a United cardholder or Premier member, you can’t unlock additional award availability when booking through a partner like Air Canada Aeroplan or Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.
Related: The best websites for searching Star Alliance award availability
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Searching for expanded saver award availability
If you’re an eligible United credit card holder or Premier member, go to united.com and sign into your MileagePlus account. Once you’ve signed in, enter your search details. You’ll see “Special member pricing” listed under the flight number and the price slashed out when there’s an XN fare available.
However, non-cardholders will see this flight price as follows.
Here’s how it looks when there’s an IN fare available. Again, the IN fare is only available to Premier Platinum, 1K and Global Services members.
For those with no status (or lower-tier Premier Silver or Premier Gold status), that 80,000-mile price for business class won’t appear.
Note that you must log in to see any applicable discounts, but there is a different way to check this inventory.
Another way to see XN and IN fares
If you want to know if your flight has XN or IN fare space, you’ll need to enable “expert mode.”
Once you’ve enabled expert mode, you can search for a cash ticket and see the available fare classes by selecting “Details” under your desired flight.
“XN9” means nine or more economy-class saver award seats are available for eligible cobranded card holders and Premier members. “X0” indicates there are no standard economy awards, which means a general MileagePlus member without an eligible cobranded card would need to pay a higher price. Additionally, this means that this flight can’t be booked using a Star Alliance partner award currency.
Here’s the same search for the flight from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Note that “IN9” means that there are at least nine seats available for travelers with Premier Platinum (or higher) status, whereas “I0” means that no saver-level awards are open for other travelers.
Related: Last-minute strategies for earning United Premier elite status
Waitlisting business- and first-class saver awards
Few know about this, but you can join a waitlist for business-class saver awards if there is saver availability in economy class. According to United’s air award rules, you can call and book a coach award at the business saver level while being waitlisted for a business-class seat.
Once on the waitlist, you should receive an upgrade if a business-class (or domestic first-class) seat becomes available as a saver award. If your upgrade doesn’t clear before check-in, you will be prioritized toward the top of the upgrade waitlist. Technically, it’s not considered an upgrade since you have already redeemed the required miles for the higher fare class.
This greatly improves your chances of being cleared for the next class of service. If your upgrade doesn’t clear, any additional mileage initially used for the business-class seat will be refunded to you.
Bottom line
If you’re having issues finding saver award space, an eligible United credit card might help you unlock more value from your miles. With the enhanced availability of saver awards and the option to join the waitlist for saver business class, United’s cobranded credit cards and elite status play a crucial role in maximizing your miles.
Editorâs note: This is a recurring post, updated with new information. Due to Chaseâs restrictions on credit-card applications, the smartest move for building your credit card strategy is opening credit cards from Chase before moving on to cards issued by other banks. One such restriction you may encounter is Chaseâs 5/24 rule. This Chase rule (that â¦