Chase is implementing significant changes to its lineup of consumer and business United credit cards, effective March 24, 2025. While most annual fees are increasing, cardholders can offset these costs by taking advantage of new perks such as statement credits and additional extras for reaching certain spending thresholds.
For new applicants after March 24, the changes take effect immediately. Existing cardholders will receive the new benefits at that time but will start paying the higher fees upon card renewal on or after August 1, 2025. The only exception is The New United℠ Explorer Card, where the new benefits begin immediately, but the new annual fee adjustment will occur on or after January 1, 2026.
These changes require cardholders to spend to earn rewards, following a trend seen in premium rewards cards from other issuers like American Express. While the statement credits at specific merchants are a nice bonus for those who already shop there, those who don’t may not derive as much value from these cards.
Let’s take a closer look at the changes to the United consumer credit cards:
1. The New United Gateway℠ Card
– Annual fee: $0, no change
– New benefit: Earn two free checked bags per year with a $10,000 spend (previously no checked-bag benefit).
2. The New United℠ Explorer Card
– Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 (up from $0 first year, then $95).
– New benefits include various statement credits and discounts on flights and services.
3. The New United Quest℠ Card
– Annual fee: $350, up from $250
– Offers multiple benefits such as flight discounts, TravelBank cash, and seat upgrades.
4. The New United Club℠ Card
– Annual fee: $695, up from $525
– Provides benefits like flight discounts, hotel stay credits, and lounge access.
If you are a loyal United flyer or your spending aligns with the card benefits, a United credit card can be valuable. However, if you won’t utilize the offered credits or find managing multiple perks overwhelming, consider a more flexible travel rewards card instead.