CardRewardsEditorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.
Ranked by effective value per dollar at United Airlines — including welcome offer math, redemption value, and annual fee.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
United Explorer Card earns the top spot for United Airlines purchases at 2.7¢ per dollar — a $150 annual fee, factoring in welcome offers and ongoing rewards. We ranked every card in our database against United Airlines purchases using the same scoring engine that powers our search. The list below orders cards by net value to you, not by what pays the biggest affiliate commission. Cards 4–10 are still solid picks; they just trade off some of the headline value for fewer fees, broader networks, or simpler redemptions.
Chase
Ranked by effective value per dollar at United Airlines — including welcome offer math, redemption value, and annual fee.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
United Explorer Card earns the top spot for United Airlines purchases at 2.7¢ per dollar — a $150 annual fee, factoring in welcome offers and ongoing rewards. We ranked every card in our database against United Airlines purchases using the same scoring engine that powers our search. The list below orders cards by net value to you, not by what pays the biggest affiliate commission. Cards 4–10 are still solid picks; they just trade off some of the headline value for fewer fees, broader networks, or simpler redemptions.
Chase
Ranked by effective value per dollar at United Airlines — including welcome offer math, redemption value, and annual fee.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
United Explorer Card earns the top spot for United Airlines purchases at 2.7¢ per dollar — a $150 annual fee, factoring in welcome offers and ongoing rewards. We ranked every card in our database against United Airlines purchases using the same scoring engine that powers our search. The list below orders cards by net value to you, not by what pays the biggest affiliate commission. Cards 4–10 are still solid picks; they just trade off some of the headline value for fewer fees, broader networks, or simpler redemptions.
Chase
Amex
Chase
United Explorer Card earns 2.7¢ per dollar at United Airlines, the highest in our database. The $150 annual fee pays for itself once you're spending at least the equivalent each year. It's the right pick if you want maximum value on this category and don't mind paying for a premium card.
All 10 cards ranked by effective value per dollar.
| Card | United Purchases Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Fee Offset | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Explorer CardChase | 2x United Mileageplus | 2.7¢/$ | $150 | $130 | visa |
| The Platinum Card from American ExpressAmex | 5x Membership Rewards | 9.0¢/$ | $895 | $1,422 | amex |
| United Club Infinite CardChase | 4x United Mileageplus | 5.4¢/$ | $695 | $332.50 | visa |
| United Gateway CardChase | 2x United Mileageplus | 2.7¢/$ | $0 | $8 | visa |
| United Quest CardChase | 3x United Mileageplus | 4.0¢/$ | $300 | $214.98 | visa |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Credit CardWells Fargo | 4x Wells Fargo Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $95 | $33 | visa |
| Chase Sapphire ReserveChase | 4x Ultimate Rewards | 7.2¢/$ | $795 | $968 | visa |
| Quicksilver Rewards for Good CreditCapital One | 5x points | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | — | mastercard |
| Chase Freedom FlexChase | 5x Ultimate Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $0 | $30 | mastercard |
| Citi Strata Premier CardCiti | 3x ThankYou Points | 4.5¢/$ | $95 | $50 | mastercard |
Other brands in Airlines where the top picks above also earn well.
Want to filter by spend amount, network, or fee preference?
Open in full search with filters →Amex
Chase
United Explorer Card earns 2.7¢ per dollar at United Airlines, the highest in our database. The $150 annual fee pays for itself once you're spending at least the equivalent each year. It's the right pick if you want maximum value on this category and don't mind paying for a premium card.
All 10 cards ranked by effective value per dollar.
| Card | United Purchases Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Fee Offset | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Explorer CardChase | 2x United Mileageplus | 2.7¢/$ | $150 | $130 | visa |
| The Platinum Card from American ExpressAmex | 5x Membership Rewards | 9.0¢/$ | $895 | $1,422 | amex |
| United Club Infinite CardChase | 4x United Mileageplus | 5.4¢/$ | $695 | $332.50 | visa |
| United Gateway CardChase | 2x United Mileageplus | 2.7¢/$ | $0 | $8 | visa |
| United Quest CardChase | 3x United Mileageplus | 4.0¢/$ | $300 | $214.98 | visa |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Credit CardWells Fargo | 4x Wells Fargo Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $95 | $33 | visa |
| Chase Sapphire ReserveChase | 4x Ultimate Rewards | 7.2¢/$ | $795 | $968 | visa |
| Quicksilver Rewards for Good CreditCapital One | 5x points | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | — | mastercard |
| Chase Freedom FlexChase | 5x Ultimate Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $0 | $30 | mastercard |
| Citi Strata Premier CardCiti | 3x ThankYou Points | 4.5¢/$ | $95 | $50 | mastercard |
Other brands in Airlines where the top picks above also earn well.
Want to filter by spend amount, network, or fee preference?
Open in full search with filters →Amex
Chase
United Explorer Card earns 2.7¢ per dollar at United Airlines, the highest in our database. The $150 annual fee pays for itself once you're spending at least the equivalent each year. It's the right pick if you want maximum value on this category and don't mind paying for a premium card.
All 10 cards ranked by effective value per dollar.
| Card | United Purchases Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Fee Offset | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Explorer CardChase | 2x United Mileageplus | 2.7¢/$ | $150 | $130 | visa |
| The Platinum Card from American ExpressAmex | 5x Membership Rewards | 9.0¢/$ | $895 | $1,422 | amex |
| United Club Infinite CardChase | 4x United Mileageplus | 5.4¢/$ | $695 | $332.50 | visa |
| United Gateway CardChase | 2x United Mileageplus | 2.7¢/$ | $0 | $8 | visa |
| United Quest CardChase | 3x United Mileageplus | 4.0¢/$ | $300 | $214.98 | visa |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Credit CardWells Fargo | 4x Wells Fargo Rewards | 6.0¢/$ | $95 | $33 | visa |
| Chase Sapphire ReserveChase | 4x Ultimate Rewards | 7.2¢/$ | $795 | $968 | visa |
| Quicksilver Rewards for Good CreditCapital One | 5x points | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | — | mastercard |
| Chase Freedom FlexChase | 5x Ultimate Rewards | 5.4¢/$ | $0 | $30 | mastercard |
| Citi Strata Premier CardCiti | 3x ThankYou Points | 4.5¢/$ | $95 | $50 | mastercard |
Other brands in Airlines where the top picks above also earn well.
Want to filter by spend amount, network, or fee preference?
Open in full search with filters →