Best UA credit card these days? [2015]
Mar 13, 2015, 8:52 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 14
There are only two Chase MP credit card choices: (the only ones open for new customers and have any UA benefits)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...5-forward.html
and
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...orer-card.html
There are very different and there benefits are described in the references threads.
Another choice of some is the Chase Sapphire card
The best depends on your needs and purchase history -- all of which only you know.
There is a whole forum on credit cards - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...-programs-599/
and Chase cards http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...e-rewards-722/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...5-forward.html
and
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...orer-card.html
There are very different and there benefits are described in the references threads.
Another choice of some is the Chase Sapphire card
The best depends on your needs and purchase history -- all of which only you know.
There is a whole forum on credit cards - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...-programs-599/
and Chase cards http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...e-rewards-722/
Mar 13, 2015, 8:55 pm
#17
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Mar 14, 2015, 11:08 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Hi Folks,
I've had the old "Choices" UA card forever, but they killed that program (without telling me), I'm still earning miles but wonder if I can be doing better.
I travel a lot internationally and would like the "no foreign transaction fees" the new cards offer.
Are there any cards for the high mileage members that I'm not seeing on the site? Or what do you think of the current offers?
Thanks!
PS - Do 1ks still get the annual fee waived (I do on my Choices card).
I've had the old "Choices" UA card forever, but they killed that program (without telling me), I'm still earning miles but wonder if I can be doing better.
I travel a lot internationally and would like the "no foreign transaction fees" the new cards offer.
Are there any cards for the high mileage members that I'm not seeing on the site? Or what do you think of the current offers?
Thanks!
PS - Do 1ks still get the annual fee waived (I do on my Choices card).
Mar 14, 2015, 2:31 pm
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,466
Both of the current Chase UA cards (Exlporer and Club Card) are good cards. As others have noted, the Club Card is a particularly good choice if you want a United Club membership.
Personally I think the Chase Sapphire Preferred and AMEX MR Gold cards are better overall due to additional bonus categories and flexibility to transfer to multiple airlines. The Sapphire, as others have noted, allows transfers to UA.
Personally I think the Chase Sapphire Preferred and AMEX MR Gold cards are better overall due to additional bonus categories and flexibility to transfer to multiple airlines. The Sapphire, as others have noted, allows transfers to UA.
Mar 14, 2015, 11:12 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: FLL
Programs: UA: 1K MM, Marriott Ambassador, Platinum IHG. Diamond: Hilton. Silver: Delta & Hyatt
Posts: 1,366
Chase M+ CC going
I am like you I am evaluating if it is still worth keeping my Chase Mileage Plus platinum card after all of these years. The PQM were nice but now they are worth a lot less with the higher and higher PQD requirements. Thinking it's time to dump this card after 10 years. Spoke to Chase about it today and they said many are cancelling their United Credit Cards due to all the changes after 3/1.
Mar 15, 2015, 1:27 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: CO-plat, SPG-plat
Posts: 1,655
With consistent Plat or Gold elite status, I really don't benefit from the MP Explorer card benefits, so I've mulled cancelling after the first year's fee waiver and replacing with CSP. I thought the $25,000 spend for PQD waiver would benefit me, but in reality once I meet the mileage threshold, PQD has not become a barrier.
CSP would yield 2 miles/dollar on UA purchases anyway if I transferred to UA MP. Does anyone see a reason to not replace UA MP Explorer card with CSP?
CSP would yield 2 miles/dollar on UA purchases anyway if I transferred to UA MP. Does anyone see a reason to not replace UA MP Explorer card with CSP?
Mar 15, 2015, 4:46 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,311
There were several versions of the UA MP Platinum or Signature Visa card that give PQMs.
The one I have has several category spend bonuses:
2x at gas, grocery, dining, home improvement, ua, star alliance carriers.
1 PQM per mile on united purchases up to 5k per year.
5k PQM bonus after 35k spend per year.
It's a pretty good card to keep if you want to use it to meet the PQD waiver and can get a category bonus for that spend.
Once you cancel it, you are done since it's no longer open to applicants. Still at $140 with only a single $60 credit, it's pricey.
The Club card is also pretty good if you have a club membership anyway, as it offers 1.5x on everyday spend.
There are other cards that have those category bonuses (not sure about home improvement stores though, no other card I have does 2x there). For example, Amex Everyday Preferred earns 4.5x at groceries and 1.5x on everyday purchase if you make the required number of swipes monthly (30 for preferred). CSP and several other cards gets you 2x dining, 2x travel, and so on.
-David
The one I have has several category spend bonuses:
2x at gas, grocery, dining, home improvement, ua, star alliance carriers.
1 PQM per mile on united purchases up to 5k per year.
5k PQM bonus after 35k spend per year.
It's a pretty good card to keep if you want to use it to meet the PQD waiver and can get a category bonus for that spend.
Once you cancel it, you are done since it's no longer open to applicants. Still at $140 with only a single $60 credit, it's pricey.
The Club card is also pretty good if you have a club membership anyway, as it offers 1.5x on everyday spend.
There are other cards that have those category bonuses (not sure about home improvement stores though, no other card I have does 2x there). For example, Amex Everyday Preferred earns 4.5x at groceries and 1.5x on everyday purchase if you make the required number of swipes monthly (30 for preferred). CSP and several other cards gets you 2x dining, 2x travel, and so on.
-David
Last edited by LIH Prem; Mar 15, 2015 at 4:55 am
Mar 18, 2015, 5:42 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA 1k, US Airways Silver, SPG PLT, Marriot Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 536
With consistent Plat or Gold elite status, I really don't benefit from the MP Explorer card benefits, so I've mulled cancelling after the first year's fee waiver and replacing with CSP. I thought the $25,000 spend for PQD waiver would benefit me, but in reality once I meet the mileage threshold, PQD has not become a barrier.
CSP would yield 2 miles/dollar on UA purchases anyway if I transferred to UA MP. Does anyone see a reason to not replace UA MP Explorer card with CSP?
CSP would yield 2 miles/dollar on UA purchases anyway if I transferred to UA MP. Does anyone see a reason to not replace UA MP Explorer card with CSP?
The only benefit it provides (that you don't already have as a 1k with CSP) is CPU's for award tickets. If that's worth $35 to you, keep it!
Mar 19, 2015, 2:09 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: SLC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 240
Mar 19, 2015, 4:20 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI, PHL, IAD
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; Mileage Plus 1K, 1 MM; Global Entry
Posts: 1,516