United Explorer Visa questions

[wasCB14]

I fly United enough (and sometimes with a companion) that it might worth getting a United Visa for the free checked bag.

1. What's the deal as far as payment methods and getting the free checked bag perk?

Do I have to put the full amount of the tickets on the Chase United Visa card?

At least the fees and taxes?

What if it's an award flight?

At least one cent?

Or does it apply regardless of payment method?

Between Schwab Platinum's $200 airfare extras credit and BofA PR's $100 credit, I do dabble in United Travel Bank funds.

2. I had looked a week or two ago and only saw 50k. Today I got a mailer for 60k/$3k/$0 intro AF. How does this compare to past promotions? Should I wait for a better offer if I won't be flying United until probably spring 2023?

[simplynoir]

1. The full amount of the ticket including taxes and fees must be on United card to get the full benefit of free checked bag, made this mistake a few years ago and had to pay fees for my luggage. For award flights the taxes and any associated fees must be paid with the United card as well in order to get the free checked bag. One of the few things I don't like about United's service unlike say Delta where just having your Skymiles number attached to the reservation is good enough

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage/chasebag.html

2. If you don't mind spending a little more the 70k miles SUB is the best one that is available right now. The initial 60k miles is for $3k spend in three months, additional 10k miles if you spend $6k total in six months. Believe that is the best it has been

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-united-explorer-70000-miles-signup-bonus/

https://www.theexplorercard.com/united-rewards-cards

[wasCB14]

Thanks for the 70k heads up.

The application went pending 7-10 days.

[simplynoir]

Good luck with your application

[wasCB14]

Approved with no further action on my part. The $3k+$3k minimum spend should keep me busy for a while.

[FinStar]

As the OP has indicated they've been approved, this thread is now locked and closed to new messages.

OP, please feel free to start a new thread in the Approvals forum if you wish to do so.