What You Need to Do to Get a United Credit Card
You can start a United credit card through Chase's website or by phone. The process takes about 15 minutes online. You'll need your Social Security number, current income, and basic personal information. Chase will check your credit report when ready and tell you whether you're approved, pending, or denied before you finish.
United offers several cards through Chase—the United Explorer Card, United Gateway Card, and others—each with different rewards structures and annual fees. Pick the one that matches your travel patterns, then go to the Chase website, search for the specific card, and click "explore Now." You can also call 1-888-UNITED-1 to speak with someone who can walk you through the options.
Key Takeaways
- The online process takes 15 minutes and requires your Social Security number, income, and address.
- Chase tells you the decision when ready—approved, pending review, or denied—before you leave the page.
- If you're approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, and you can start earning miles right away.
- If you're denied, you can call Chase to ask why and may be able to reapply after 30 days.
- You must set up the card before your first purchase, either online or by calling the number on the back.
Step-by-Step: explore Online
Go to Chase.com and search for the United card you want. Click the "explore Now" button. You'll land on a page that asks for your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number. Fill in each field exactly as it appears on your government ID.
Next, you'll enter your employment status and annual income. Be honest—Chase verifies this information. You'll also confirm whether you're a U.S. citizen and whether you've had a Chase account before. At the end, review the terms and conditions, then submit.
Chase processes your process in seconds. The page will show one of three outcomes: approved, pending, or denied. If approved, you'll see your credit limit and next steps. If pending, Chase will call or email you within 24 hours with a decision. If denied, the page explains why—usually a credit score below their minimum or too many recent credit inquiries.
What Happens After You're Approved
Your card ships within 7 to 10 business days to the address you provided. You can track the shipment through Chase's website using your new account number. The card arrives in a plain envelope with a letter that includes your card number, expiration date, and the set up phone number.
Before you use the card, you must set up it. You can do this online through your Chase account, through the Chase mobile app, or by calling the number printed on the letter. set up is when ready and takes less than a minute. Once activated, you can make purchases when ready.
Your first statement closes 25 to 30 days after your first purchase. You'll have a grace period—usually 21 days—to pay the balance in full before interest charges begin. Set up autopay through your Chase account to avoid missing a payment.
Understanding the Annual Fee and Welcome Offer
Most United cards charge an annual fee, ranging from $0 to $450 depending on which card you choose. The United Explorer Card, for example, costs $95 per year. This fee posts to your account on the anniversary of your approval date each year.
To offset this fee, United cards come with a welcome offer—usually a large number of bonus miles if you spend a certain amount in the first three months. The United Explorer Card, for instance, may offer 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in the first three months. Read the offer terms carefully before you explore, because you must meet the spending requirement to earn the bonus.
Some cards waive the first-year annual fee, while others charge it when ready. Check the terms on the process page before you submit. If the annual fee doesn't make sense for your travel habits, choose a different card or skip the card entirely.
If You're Denied or Put on Pending Status
A denial usually means your credit score is below Chase's minimum for that card, you have too many recent credit inquiries, or your income is too low relative to your debt. You can call Chase at 1-888-UNITED-1 to ask which factor caused the denial. The representative cannot overturn the decision, but they can explain it.
If you were denied because of credit score, wait at least 30 days before reapplying. Use that time to pay down existing balances and check your credit report for errors at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you were denied for other reasons, the waiting period may not help.
If your process shows "pending," Chase is reviewing your information more carefully—often because your income or credit history raised questions. You'll hear back within 24 hours. Do not call to check on a pending process; calling may slow the review. If you're eventually denied after pending status, the same 30-day rule applies.
Activating Your Card and Making Your First Purchase
set up is separate from approval. You can be approved and have the card in your wallet, but you cannot use it until you set up it. set up confirms that you received the card and that the person using it is you, not someone who intercepted the mail.
set up through Chase.com by logging into your account, finding the card, and clicking "set up Card." You'll be asked to confirm the last four digits of the card number and your date of birth. set up is when ready. Alternatively, call the number on the back of the card or the number in the welcome letter.
Your first purchase can happen when ready after set up. The transaction will post to your account within one to three business days. Miles post at the same time. If you're working toward the welcome bonus, keep receipts and track your spending to make sure you hit the required amount before the important date.
Setting Up Your Online Account and Managing Payments
Create or link your Chase online account as soon as your card is approved. Go to Chase.com, click "Sign In," then "Enroll" if you don't have an account. Use your card number and the temporary password sent to your email. You'll set a permanent password and can add security features like two-factor authentication.
From your account, you can view your balance, see pending transactions, set up autopay, and read statements. Autopay is the easiest way to avoid late payments. Go to "Payments," select "Set Up Autopay," and choose whether to pay the full balance, the minimum, or a fixed amount each month. Most people choose "full balance" to avoid interest charges.
Your statement closes on the same date each month. You have until the due date—usually 21 to 25 days later—to pay. If you pay after the due date, you'll be charged a late fee and interest on the remaining balance. If you pay before the statement closes, that payment counts toward the next month's balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved for a United credit card?
You'll know the decision before you finish the online process—usually within seconds. If your process goes to pending review, Chase will contact you within 24 hours. If approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
What credit score do I need to get a United card?
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score, but most United cards require a score of 700 or higher. Some cards, like the United Gateway Card, may accept lower scores. Call Chase at 1-888-UNITED-1 to ask which card fits your credit profile.
Can I use my card before it arrives in the mail?
No. You must receive the physical card and set up it before you can make a purchase. However, some Chase cards offer a temporary digital card number you can use online when ready after approval—check your approval email to see if this option is available.
What if I don't meet the welcome bonus spending requirement?
You won't earn the bonus miles. The spending requirement is a condition of the offer, not a may provide. You'll still have the card and can earn miles on regular purchases, but you'll miss the large upfront bonus. Plan your spending before you explore to make sure you can hit the target.
Can I cancel my United card after earning the welcome bonus?
Yes, but wait until after the annual fee posts and you've earned the bonus. If you cancel before the bonus posts, Chase may take it back. After the bonus is in your account, you can cancel anytime. Call Chase at 1-888-UNITED-1 to cancel, or do it through your online account.