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United Airlines is making changes
Brace yourself (and your wallet) because United Airlines is increasing fees for its popular rewards credit cards and lounge passes. The carrier is also changing some benefits for travelers and adjusting its loyalty program.
What’s happening to credit cards?
United Airlines has raised fees on its credit cards while adding new perks for new cardholders and existing members. The New United Explorer Card’s annual fee rises from $95 to $150, with a $60 ride share credit and $100 for hotels. The new $350 United Quest Card offers $200 in travel credits and bonus points, while the United Club Card’s fee increases to $695 with added lounge access and $150 in rideshare credits. The new perks are available now, but the fee changes will roll out over the next year.
What’s changing with lounges?
In effect now, United will offer two membership options for its United Club lounges. Individual memberships will cost $750 a year or 94,000 United loyalty points, giving access to just the pass holder. If you want to bring up to two guests, it will be $1,400 or 175,000 miles. That covers both United Clubs and Star Alliance partner lounges. Lounge memberships, which used to cost $650 a year (with discounts for elite flyers), are now more expensive, but current members retain their terms until their membership expires.
United is clearly prioritizing its high spenders with these changes, but for those of us who aren’t racking up miles left and right, the increased fees might not feel like such a great deal and it might be best to consider other options if you’re not a frequent flyer.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
