How do I get the United Explorer Card 70k miles offer?

The best United Airlines credit card is the United MileagePlus Explorer card, at least as far as co-branded cards go. It gives you both priority boarding and free checked bags on United flights. You’ll also earn 40,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in your first three months. Another good option is United’s MileagePlus Club Card, which allows you unlimited access to United Club lounges worldwide. It also gives 1.5 miles per $1 on all purchases. … read full answer

But you don’t have to get a co-branded United card to get the best value on United purchases. Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. It offers an even bigger initial bonus, with 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in your first three months. And through an ongoing partnership with United, you can transfer points to a United rewards account at a 1:1 ratio. Sapphire Preferred also nets you 2 points per $1 spent on dining and travel and 1 on all other purchases. The high-end Chase Sapphire Reserve offers similar rewards to Sapphire Preferred but earns 3 points per $1 on travel and dining. However, it does come with a $450 annual fee. Preferred’s $95 annual fee is waived for the first year.

The Chase Venture Rewards card gets you great value not only with United but with any airline. You’ll earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in your first three months. That’s worth $500 in travel purchases that you can use to book flights with United or any airline you choose. And, miles are redeemable at a 2:1 ratio when used for travel.

Choosing the best United credit card comes down to where you set your priorities. Whether you’re into earning frequent flyer miles, traveling in luxury and convenience or looking for the best deals, you should be able to find a card for you.

Here are the best United Airlines credit cards:

• Best Value: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

50,000 points when you spend $4,000 in your first three months, worth $625 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Points eligible for 1:1 transfer to United MileagePlus (and 10 other loyalty programs). 2 points per $1 on travel and restaurants and 1 on all other purchases. Points don't expire as long as your account is open.

No foreign transaction fee. No annual fee first year, $95 after. Excellent credit required.

• Best United Perks: United MileagePlus Explorer Card

40,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in your first 3 months. 2 miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United and 1 on all other purchases. Miles redeemable toward travel, upgrades, merchandise and gift cards. Miles don't expire as long as your account is open.

Up to $100 savings per roundtrip on free checked bag for the cardholder and one companion. Free priority boarding. Get two complimentary United Club passes (more than a $100 value) each year. No foreign transaction fee. No annual fee first year, $95 after. Good credit required.

• Best Premium United Perks: United MileagePlus Club Card

Free membership to United Club with 50 locations in 45 countries (a $550 value). Free first and second checked bags for the cardholder and one companion, up to $240 savings per round trip. Free priority Boarding. 40,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in your first 3 months. 2 miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United and 1.5 on all other purchases.

Miles redeemable toward travel, upgrades, merchandise or gift cards. Miles don't expire as long as your account is open.No foreign transaction fee. $450 annual fee. Good credit required.

• Best for Business: Chase Ink Plus Business Card

80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in your first 3 months. Points worth $1,000toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Points eligible for 1:1 transfer to United MileagePlus and 10 other airline and hotel loyalty programs. 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent per year on travel and select business categories including shipping, Internet, cable and phone services.

Points don't expire as long as your account is open. No foreign transaction fee. $95 annual fee. Excellent credit required.

• Best Earning Potential: Capital One Venture Rewards Card

50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in your first 3 months. Miles worth $500 in travel purchases. Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases. Miles don't expire as long as your account is open. No foreign transaction fee. No annual fee first year, $95 after. Good credit or better required.

If you’re a frequent United flyer, you could combine the initial bonuses from multiple cards, like Sapphire Preferred and United Explorer cards, to earn a lot of free flights. It’s best to not apply for a new card more than once per year, though. Plus, each of the best United Airlines credit cards has an annual fee, so you have to take the cost into account as well.

How much 40,000 miles are worth depends on the airline or credit card you earn them from and when you book your flight. On average, 40,000 miles are worth about $400. But it can vary widely. For example, 40,000 AAdvantage miles are worth roughly $456 in American Airlines airfare. With United, 40k miles get you $416 in flights. And 40k Delta miles are worth $532.… read full answer

Here’s how much 40,000 miles are worth by airline:

1. Lufthansa: $916
2. Southwest: $616
3. JetBlue: $572
4. Delta: $532
5. American: $456
6. United: $416

Credit card miles that aren’t tied to a particular airline typically get you a penny each. But how you redeem your miles is really important, too. For example, the Capital One Venture Card’s 50,000-mile initial bonus is worth $500 when used for travel but just $250 when redeemed for cash.