United Mileage Plus Card question

[The 6 J's]

Every time I call them to ask this question I am on hold or don't have time to go through the hoops of the automated voice system. Sent an email but it will be at least a few days before I get an answer. So asking the travel pros here if you know the answer to this.

I know the $95 annual fee is steep but it might be worth it for me with the checked bag and priority boarding and non-expiring miles options. If it weren't for those things I'd just stick with the rewards card I have and am happy with.

Here's the question - if I already have a flight booked and paid for on another card in Nov this year, and I sign up and get the United card now, do I get the free checked bag, the priority boarding and will the miles earned on the flight be non-expiring or do you only get all that stuff if you are flying on tickets paid for with the card? Anyone know? If not I'll just wait for United customer service to get back to me - hopefully before November.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The $95.00 fee is waived for the first year.

If you read the terms for the card regarding the free checked baggage , they state:

http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,53775,00.html

Eligible customers may receive their applicable standard checked bag free on flights operated by United or Continental only; codeshare flights are not eligible. The primary cardmember's MileagePlus account number must be listed in their reservation and they must pay for their tickets with their qualifying United MileagePlus credit card. Checked bag must meet weight and size restrictions or will be subject to additional fees. Learn more about our baggage page.

It's not clear if you will get priority boarding, or non-expiring miles, but since you didn't buy the ticket with this card, I would imagine not.

 

[The 6 J's]

The $95.00 fee is waived for the first year.

If you read the terms for the card regarding the free checked baggage , they state:

http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,53775,00.html

Eligible customers may receive their applicable standard checked bag free on flights operated by United or Continental only; codeshare flights are not eligible. The primary cardmember's MileagePlus account number must be listed in their reservation and they must pay for their tickets with their qualifying United MileagePlus credit card. Checked bag must meet weight and size restrictions or will be subject to additional fees. Learn more about our baggage page.

It's not clear if you will get priority boarding, or non-expiring miles, but since you didn't buy the ticket with this card, I would imagine not.

I knew about the first year waived fee but thanks for the info on the bags. I still can't find anything on the priority boarding so I wonder if it is just a perk of being a cardholder regardless of how you came about the ticket you are flying on.

 

[kfrey68]

I spoke with cardholder services because I am switching to the Explorer card from my original mileage plus card for many of the benefits. I need to book my air and the card has not arrived yet therefore if I book with my old mileage plus card I will not get the benefits.

Hope this helps.