With one or two free checked baggage, Premier Access and priority boarding, several day-of-flight benefits United co-branded credit card are all pretty standard. While these benefits are great, they are already perks that most elite union members receive.
So why pay $525 per year for United Club℠ Infinite Cards for duplicate benefits that don’t stack?
Of course, the obvious answer would be for Visit United Clubbut that’s already included on international flights thanks to Star Alliance Gold status, a benefit available to United Premier Gold and higher elite members.
And I’m happy to trade the tired furniture and carrots in the Unity Club for soy sauce chicken and spa services at a American Express Centurion Lounge.
But before ditching United’s co-branded cards entirely, consider this little-known benefit.
Premium upgrade on award tickets
Benefits are buried under countless monotonous interests. And I won’t blame you if you happen to stumble across it.
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If you don’t have a MileagePlus credit card, you are not eligible for a free Premier Upgrade (CPU) using your miles. However, MileagePlus credit cardholders are added to the upgrade waitlist on eligible CPU routes when redeeming miles. That is very important.
While your upgrade priority will be lower than all paid airline tickets with your status (for example, if you’re 1K, you’ll be among the last 1K to be upgraded), this perk can help you upgrade to first class based on your Premium status that you wouldn’t otherwise receive.
For example, I used miles to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Bend’s Redmond City Airport (RDM) about three years ago. Although three first class seats were available on the flight, my Premier 1K status wouldn’t allow me to upgrade because I don’t have a MileagePlus co-branded credit card — lesson learned.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Upgrades on United Airlines
Which United MileagePlus card offers a free Premier Upgrade?
The following United Personal Credit Card offers Premier upgrades on award tickets:
- 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℠ Cards: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. Offer ends on August 9
- United Club℠ Infinite Cards: Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premium qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Offer ends on August 9
And here is the qualifying business card:
- United business card℠: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open
- United Club℠ Business Cards: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open
The United Club Business Card information has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
bottom line
While CPUs on most routes are few and far between, the chance of getting Premium upgrades on your United status-based award ticket can be a tempting perk. Even if you only score one or two CPUs on the award ticket for a year, that could justify the low $95 annual fee of United℠ Explorer . Card ($0 annual referral fee for the first year.) When you get your first upgrade with your MileagePlus credit card, you’ll be glad you got it.
