Best time to apply for United Chase cards based on offer history
Chase has an impressive roster of six United Airlines cards, each with its own set of perks and benefits to justify a place in your wallet. Like most travel rewards cards, each United card offers its own welcome bonus to freshly approved cardholders.
These welcome bonuses are the best way to reap a yield of many United miles at once. That’s why it’s very important to make sure you apply at the right time.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through each United card’s offer history and when to apply. Keep in mind that offers can change at any time, and some of the offers on this page may no longer be available.
Note that we’ll only discuss publicly available welcome offers here. However, you might receive targeted offers with more bonus miles.
Best United welcome offers
| Card | Best welcome offer we’ve seen | When to apply |
| United Gateway℠ Card | Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | When the welcome offer is 30,000 miles or more. |
| United℠ Explorer Card | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | When the offer is 60,000 miles or more. |
| United Quest℠ Card | Miles and Premier qualifying points: Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Miles only: Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles: Earn 80,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Earn another 20,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 total on the card within six months from account opening. |
When the offer is 80,000 miles or more plus PQPs |
| United Club℠ Card | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | When the offer is 90,000 miles or more; bonus PQPs sweeten the deal |
| United Club Business Card | Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | When the offer is 90,000 miles or more; bonus PQPs sweeten the deal |
| United℠ Business Card | Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. Earn an extra 75,000 bonus miles after spending a total of $20,000 on purchases within six months from account opening. | When the offer is 100,000 miles or more; bonus PQPs sweeten the deal |
The information for the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
United Gateway card
For anyone looking to dip their toes into airline cards, the no-annual-fee United Gateway may be a good option.
Welcome offer history
Here are the recent welcome offers on the United Gateway card.
| Approximate date | Welcome offer | Value* |
| May 2025 to now | Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $405 |
| January 2025 to May 2025 | Earn 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $270 |
| November 2024 to January 2025 | Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $405 |
| August 2024 to November 2024 | Earn 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $270 |
| June 2024 to August 2024 | Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $405 |
| March 2024 to June 2024 | Earn 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $270 |
| November 2023 to March 2024 | Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $405 |
| August 2023 to November 2023 | Earn 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $270 |
| June 2023 to August 2023 | Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $405 |
| January 2023 to June 2023 | Earn 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $270 |
| November 2022 to January 2023 | Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $405 |
| August 2022 to November 2022 | Earn 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $270 |
| June 2022 to August 2022 | Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $405 |
| November 2021 to June 2022 | Earn 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $270 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations and is not provided by the credit card issuer.
Highest welcome offer
This card’s highest-ever welcome offer has been 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months of account opening.
When to apply
We recommend applying whenever this card’s welcome offer is 30,000 miles or more.
Learn more: United Gateway Card
United Explorer card
Although the United Explorer has an annual fee of $150 ($0 for the first year), it offers great benefits for semifrequent United flyers, like two United Club passes and a free checked bag when you pay for your flight with your card.
Welcome offer history
Here are the recent offers we’ve seen on the United Explorer.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
| May 2025 to now | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $810 |
| March 2025 to May 2025 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,080 |
| November 2024 to March 2025 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $810 |
| August 2024 to November 2024 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $675 |
| June 2024 to August 2024 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $810 |
| March 2024 to June 2024 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $675 |
| November 2023 to March 2024 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $810 |
| October 2023 to November 2023 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $675 |
| June 2023 to October 2023 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $810 |
| December 2022 to June 2023 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $675 |
| November 2022 to December 2022 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $810 |
| August 2022 to October 2022 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $675 |
| March 2022 to July 2022 | Earn up to 70,000 bonus miles: Get 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus receive 10,000 more miles after $6,000 total in purchases in the first six months from account opening. | Up to $945 |
| September 2021 to February 2022 | Earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $540 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations and is not provided by the credit card issuer.
Highest welcome offer
This card’s highest-ever offer has been 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
When to apply
We recommend waiting to apply until this card offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 miles or more.
Learn more: United Explorer Card
United Quest card
If you fly United frequently but don’t want to commit to a premium card, the United Quest may be for you. While it has a high annual fee of $350, it offers numerous statement credits and United-specific perks to make up for that.
Welcome offer history
Here are the recent offers we’ve seen on the United Quest card.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
| May 2025 to now | Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $945 plus the value of 500 PQPs |
| March 2025 to May 2025 | Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,215 plus the value of 500 PQPs |
| November 2024 to March 2025 | Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $945 plus the value of 500 PQPs |
| August 2024 to November 2024 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $810 plus the value of 500 PQPs |
| June 2024 to August 2024 | Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $945 plus the value of 500 PQPs |
| March 2024 to June 2024 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. | $810 plus the value of 500 PQPs |
| November 2023 to March 2024 | Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $945 plus the value of 500 PQPs |
| August 2023 to November 2023 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $810 plus the value of 500 PQPs |
| June to August 2023 | Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $945 plus the value of 500 PQPs |
| January 2023 to June 2023 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $810 plus the value of 500 PQPs |
| November 2022 to December 2022 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,080 |
| August 2022 to November 2022 | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $945 |
| June 2022 to July 2022 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,080 |
| February 2022 to May 2022 | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $945 |
| October 2021 to January 2022 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,080 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations and is not provided by the credit card issuer.
Highest welcome offer
This card’s highest-ever bonus was when it was launched in early 2021. It offered up to 100,000 bonus miles: 80,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus another 20,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 total on the card within six months from account opening.
Since then, the highest bonus has been 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
When to apply
We recommend waiting until you see an offer of 80,000 miles or more plus PQPs to apply.
Learn more: United Quest Card
United Club card
As the top consumer United card available, it’s no surprise that the United Club Card comes with a hefty $695 annual fee. In exchange for that, however, it comes with loads of benefits, making it the best choice for United’s biggest fans.
Welcome offer history
Here are the welcome offers we’ve seen on the United Club Card.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
| May 2025 to now | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,215 |
| March 2025 to May 2025 | Earn 95,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,283 |
| November 2024 to March 2025 | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,215 |
| August 2024 to November 2024 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,080 |
| June 2024 to August 2024 | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,215 |
| January 2024 to June 2024 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,080 |
| November 2023 to January 2024 | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $1,215 |
| August 2023 to November 2023 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,080 |
| January 2023 to August 2023 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,080 plus the value of 1,000 PQPs |
| November 2022 to January 2023 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,350 |
| June 2022 to November 2022 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,080 |
| January 2022 to May 2022 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,350 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations and is not provided by the credit card issuer.
Highest welcome offer
The United Club Card’s highest-ever welcome offer has been 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
When to apply
Before pulling the trigger on an application, wait for an offer of 90,000 miles or more. If United status is on the table for you, it may make sense to wait for an offer that includes bonus PQPs.
Learn more: United Club Card
United Club Business card
If you’re a United loyalist with a business, you should consider the $695-per-year United Club Business Card.
Welcome offer history
Here are the recent welcome offers we’ve seen on the United Club Business.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
| May 2025 to now | Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,080 plus the value of 2,000 PQPs |
| March 2025 to May 2025 | Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,688 |
| August 2024 to March 2025 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 1,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $675 plus the value of 1,000 PQPs |
| January 2024 to August 2024 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 1,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,013 plus the value of 1,000 PQPs |
| October 2023 to January 2024 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,013 |
| June 2023 to October 2023 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $675 |
| November 2022 to June 2023 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,013 |
| May 2022 to November 2022 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,350 |
| April 2022 to May 2022 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,013 |
| February 2022 to March 2022 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,350 |
| September 2021 to January 2022 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,013 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations and is not provided by the credit card issuer.
Highest welcome offer
When this card had its highest-ever offer, business owners could earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
When to apply
We recommend prospective cardholders wait for a welcome offer of 90,000 miles or more before sending in an application. Those looking for a status boost should wait for an offer that includes bonus PQPs.
Learn more: United Club Business Card
United Business card
If you’re a business owner who flies with United occasionally, the relatively affordable $150-per-year United Business Card ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year) may be the best pick for you.
Welcome offer history
Here are the recent welcome offers we’ve seen on the United Business Card.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
| May 2025 to now | Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,013 plus the value of 2,000 PQPs |
| March 2025 to May 2025 | Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within three months from account opening. | $1,688 |
| April 2024 to March 2025 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,013 |
| January 2024 to April 2024 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,350 |
| November 2023 to January 2024 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $675 |
| October 2023 to November 2023 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,013 |
| June 2023 to October 2023 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | $675 |
| March 2023 to June 2023 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,013 |
| June 2022 to March 2023 | Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles: Get 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. Earn an extra 75,000 bonus miles after spending a total of $20,000 on purchases within six months from account opening. | Up to $2,025 |
| March 2022 to May 2022 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. | $1,013 |
| January 2022 to February 2022 | Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles: Get 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. Earn an extra 75,000 bonus miles after spending a total of $20,000 on purchases within six months from account opening. | Up to $2,025 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations and is not provided by the credit card issuer.
Highest welcome offer
This card’s highest-ever offer included up to 150,000 bonus miles: New cardholders could earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within three months from account opening, plus an extra 75,000 bonus miles after spending a total of $20,000 on purchases within six months from account opening.
When to apply
Your best bet is to apply when this card’s welcome offer is 100,000 miles or more. Those aiming for United status should wait for an offer that includes bonus PQPs.
Learn more: United Business Card
Bottom line
Waiting for the right time to apply for a card is important. You want to make sure you can get the best welcome offer available, especially since many cards block you from earning multiple welcome bonuses on them in a certain time frame.
Chase’s portfolio of United-branded cards offers some fantastic benefits. Whether you fly United once a year or every month, it’s worth exploring these cards to see which one fits your wallet.
To learn more about credit card bonus offers over time, check out the following:
- The best time to apply for these popular American Express cards based on offer history
- The best time to apply for these popular Capital One credit cards based on offer history
- The best time to apply for these popular Chase credit cards based on offer history
- The best time to apply for these popular Citi cards based on offer history
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