United and Chase Launch “Cash Back” Card

No annual fee Visa Signature card delivers up to two percent cash back to TravelBank account

Flyers loyal to United Airlines have a new credit card choice: delivering cash back towards future trips instead of United MileagePlus miles. Chase Credit Card Services and United launched the United TravelBank Card, a no annual fee Visa Signature that offers cash back towards future trips.

The card offers two percent cash back on all United purchases, with 1.5 percent cash back on all other purchases. Instead of offering traditional statement credits, all cash back is sent directly to the flyer’s United TravelBank account. From there, travelers can use their earned cash towards any future trip aboard United, starting at just $1.

Qualified cardholders receive a bonus when they are approved. Individuals can earn a $150 bonus towards their United TravelBank balance after spending $1,000 in the first three months of account opening.

In addition to earning two percent cash back on United purchases, flyers can also get discounts on food and beverages aboard United-operated flights. Discounts are delivered as a 25 percent statement credit when using the United TravelBank Card. Additional benefits include no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, as well as auto rental coverage.

Cardholders also gain access to the Chase Inside Access program, offering more than 30 unique experiences per year in entertainment, food, sports and fashion. Previous events available through the award-winning program include a Napa Valley Harvest trip and a private audience with Chef Troy Guard at Denver’s TAG.

In launching the United TravelBank Card, United and Chase came together to answer the need of an underserved audience. Through offering a no annual fee card with a strong benefits package, both the airline and the bank hopes to drive long term loyalty among frequent flyers.

How does the United TravelBank Card compare to the United MileagePlus Explorer Card? The Explorer Card comes with a $95 annual fee and a different set of benefits, such as MilagePlus miles with each purchase and one free checked bag for the flyer and their companion traveling on the same itinerary. Both cards overlap through the Visa Signature benefits available to cardholders.

For travelers who often fly United, adding the United TravelBank Card could come with a lot of upside with no upfront costs. With no minimum to use TravelBank balances, United flyers can pay for their trips in part with cash back collected from the United TravelBank Card. For example: if flyers have $75 in their TravelBank, they can use some or all of that balance at any time to pay towards airfare.

In addition, United can allow travelers to use their TravelBank balances to pay for award travel via MileagePlus miles. According to the United TravelBank terms and conditions, United may permit TravelBank cash to be used in conjunction with MileagePlus miles.

The announcement is the second major addition to United this week. On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, United added the ability to check in for future flights via Amazon Alexa.