Getting to Know the UnitedSM TravelBank Credit Card
With the UnitedSM TravelBank Card from Chase, frequent travelers will be in for a smooth flight no matter their destination. This is a co-branded airline rewards card tailored to folks who travel often and are looking to maximize their rewards with United Airlines. The UnitedSM TravelBank Card allows you to step up your travel game while earning beaucoup rewards as you fly towards travel savings and ups the ante with some awesome perks with the airline.
How It Works
Cardholders can expect the following from the UnitedSM TravelBank Card from Chase:
How to Earn Rewards:
TravelBank Cash Introductory Offer: Cardholders a bonus of $150 in TravelBank cash, when a minimum of $1,000 is spent on qualifying purchases during the first three months their account is open. This offer is not available to current cardholders, nor is it available to previous cardmembers who have received a new cardmember bonus within the last 24 months.
What is TravelBank Cash?: TravelBank cash is a reward program from United Airlines. $1 in TravelBank cash is equal to $1, when used toward the purchase of a ticket on flights operated by United, and United Express. It can be used alone, or combined with other select forms of payment, to purchase an airline ticket from United Airlines.
Fly United: The fastest way to earn miles with the UnitedSM TravelBank Card is by flying with United Airlines. Cardholders will earn 2% in Travelbank Cash for every $1 spent on airfare purchases made directly with the airline. Each ticket you purchase brings you closer to a free flight.
Make Everyday Purchases: You’ll earn 1.5% in TravelBank cash per $1 spent on any and all purchases made with the UnitedSM TravelBank Card. Rewards miles can be earned on almost anything – everyday purchases like gas and groceries, dinner and drinks, even movie tickets will generate points – and you can also earn rewards when you use your card to pay monthly expenses like your phone bill.
Unlimited Rewards: Cardholders can earn unlimited TravelBank cash with their UnitedSM TravelBank Card. TravelBank cash accumulates in your United TravelBank account, on United.com.
Rewards do not expire: TravelBank cash will not expire, as long as there is qualifying activity on your TravelBank account.
How to Redeem Rewards:
When you begin to cash in on the rewards you’ve earned with your UnitedSM TravelBank Card, you’ll notice that you’ll be able to redeem as much TravelBank cash as you’d like. Turn your miles into the trip of a lifetime!
Travel: Once you’ve earned TravelBank rewards, you’re ready to book that dream trip you’ve been planning. TravelBank cash earned with the UnitedSM TravelBank Card can be redeemed to book travel directly with United Airlines. Rewards can be used alone, or in combination with select forms of payment during this purchase, for flights operated by United and united Express.
Today’s Bonus Offer:
$150 TravelBank Cash: The UnitedSM TravelBank Card comes with a great introductory bonus offer: Cardholders who spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening their account will qualify for a one-time bonus of $150 in TravelBank cash. Since TravelBank cash can be redeemed at the equivalent of $1 U.S. per $1 in reward money, this comes out to $150 towards any flight with United Airlines… Not bad! This offer is only available to you if you do not already have this card and have not received a new cardmember bonus for this card in the past 24 months.
Airline and Airport Perks:
Inflight Credit: Travelers who pay for inflight purchases like food, beverages, or WiFi with their TravelBank Card while on United-operated flights will enjoy a discount of 25% back. This discount will be applied as a statement credit.
No foreign transaction fees: For cardholders who plan to spend while they’re abroad, the UnitedSM TravelBank Credit Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, which means that not only will you save money while travelling, you’ll also earn points when you use your card in other countries.
Cardholder Protections:
Zero Liability: Visa cardholders are automatically protected from unauthorized use of their card and their account information with Visa’s Zero Liability policy. You’ll pay $0 for any transactions that are reported as unauthorized; cardholders must notify the issuing financial institution immediately of any unauthorized activity.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Renting a car makes travelling much easier, and when you use your UnitedSM TravelBank to pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the rental car counter’s collision damage waiver, you’ll be covered if the car is damaged or stolen. Exclusions and restrictions apply.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: Whether you’re traveling for work or for pleasure, Visa is there for you, anywhere in the world, with a multilingual call center. Call toll-free in the United States, or collect whilst abroad, for assistance. Visa can provide pre-trip assistance (information about health precautions, currency exchange rates, visas, immunizations and other pertinent info for first-time travelers), as well as emergency transportation assistance, prescription assistance, Valuable Document Delivery arrangements (for critical documents like a passport or travel visa that might have been misplaced or left at home), a location service for lost luggage, and emergency translation services in all major languages.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Reimbursement for pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares is available up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip, if your trip is cut short by covered situations such as injury or sickness.
Price Protection: If you notice that a purchase you’ve made using your UnitedSM TravelBank Card is advertised for less, in print or online, within 90 days, you can be reimbursed the difference. This reimbursement can be up to $500 per item, $2,500 per year.
Extended Warranty protection: The warranty for items purchased with this card can be extended for up to one additional year, for eligible warranties of three years or less.
Additional Benefits:
Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: UnitedSM TravelBank Card cardmembers will enjoy access to over 900 properties that include many of the world’s most equisite hotels, resorts, lodges, and spas, thanks to the card’s affiliation with Chase. Each stay booked via this collection entitles the cardholder some amazing perks that include a daily breakfast for two, complimentary Wi-Fi, a room upgrade if available, early check-in and late checkout, and a special benefit that is unique to each property (such as a dining or spa credit).
Inside Access: As a Chase cardmember, you’ll have opportunities to purchase private, curated, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Enjoy wine tastings and culinary events at some of the world’s finest restaurants, meet a sporting legend, and redeem award miles to enjoy VIP access to live theater and museum events.
Year-end Summary: You’ll get a Year-End Summary of all the charges you’ve accrued over the fiscal year, making it easy to see where you spend most and plan for next year’s annual spending.
Visa Concierge Service: Get complimentary Visa Signature® Concierge Service, 24 hours a day.
The Plane Facts
Can you expect a smooth flight from the UnitedSM TravelBank Card from Chase, or will there be turbulence?
Annual Fee: The UnitedSM TravelBank Card does not have an annual fee, which is a great perk when compared to other similar airline rewards credit cards; annual fees for Chase-affiliated co-branded airline cards can be as high as $450. While this is an inexpensive option, remember – you’ll get what you pay for. Cards that feature a higher annual fee will also offer more benefits and perks that are unavailable with this credit card.
Breaking Down the APR:
Purchase APR: It’s worth noting that the UnitedSM TravelBank Card from Chase avoids sky-high interest rates. This card offers a competitive Annual Purchase Rate (APR) for both purchases and balance transfers. Beginning at 18.24% and extending up to 25.24%, this interest rate is based on your creditworthiness as well as the Prime Rate and will vary with the market; your creditworthiness and other factors taken into consideration at the time you open your account will determine what your purchase APR is. While this is not as low as rates offered by competing credit cards, a standard APR of 18.24% is middle-of-the-aisle and still gives you plenty of leg room to avoid breaking the bank when you make purchases.
Balance Transfer APR: When a balance transfer is requested, an APR of 18.24% up to 25.24% is applicable to each transfer. This APR is based on your creditworthiness and the Prime Rate, and will vary with the market.
Cash Advance APR: An APR of 27.24% applies to each cash advance transaction with your UnitedSM TravelBank Card; this APR will vary with the market, based on the Prime Rate.
Penalty APR: There is no penalty APR associated with the UnitedSM TravelBank Card.
Breaking Down Transaction Fees and Penalty Fees:
Balance Transfer: When you make a balance transfer using your UnitedSM TravelBank Card, you’ll be charged a one-time fee equal to $5, or 5% of the amount of the balance transfer, whichever is greater.
Cash Advance: The same applies to any cash advance using your UnitedSM TravelBank Card: you’ll be charged an additional $10, or 5% of the amount of the cash advance, whichever is greater each time you request a cash advance.
Foreign Transactions: There are no foreign transaction fees associated with the UnitedSM TravelBank Card.
Late Payment: If you make a late payment, you’ll be penalized up to $39.
Returned Payment: If a payment is returned for any reason, you’ll be assessed a returned payment penalty fee of up to $39.
Overlimit: There is no overlimit fee associated with the UnitedSM TravelBank Card.
The UnitedSM TravelBank Credit Card: Cleared for Takeoff
What are some of the pros that set this card ahead of the rest?
A tempting introductory bonus offer: Earn $150 in bonus TravelBank cash when you spend $1,000 on qualifying business purchases in the first 3 months of the account opening – not a bad reward for using your card, and especially useful if you’re planning to use your new card for a large purchase right away. This can be redeemed as $150 towards your next flight on United Airlines!
No Annual Fee: There is no annual fee associated with the UnitedSM TravelBank Card, which is appealing for anyone who’s looking to save their money for other things.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: For the traveler who loves to earn rewards while abroad, a card offer without foreign transaction fees will prove very useful, particularly when purchases made in another country earn points, too.
Potential Turbulence with the UnitedSM TravelBank Credit Card:
What are some cons that take the wind from under this card’s wings?
Point redemption options are limited: When it comes to redeeming the rewards you’ve accumulated with your card, you’ll notice that you can only use TravelBank cash towards travel with United Airlines. Other card offers, both from Chase and from United, offer programs with flexible redemption; the UnitedSM Explorer Card, for example, allows you to redeem miles for hotels, cruises, and even gift cards. If you’re happy with earning rewards that can only be used with United Airlines, this card will be a good fit for you. If you’re looking for more flexibility, you might want to consider some of the other offers out there.
Limited Airline and Airport Perks: The UnitedSM TravelBank Card is a no-frills reward card, which means that the perks and benefits it offers are pared-down when compared to some of the higher-tiered offerings on the market. While you do get a 25% discount on in-flight purchases made during United flights, perks like priority boarding and screening, lounge access, and Global Entry statement credits are not available with this travel rewards card. If you’re in the market for a rewards card that opens the door to airport and airline benefits, you may find a better fit with a higher-tier rewards card.
Thoughts Before Takeoff:
This is your Captain speaking. The UnitedSM TravelBank Card from is a great no-frills travel rewards card, offering unlimited TravelBank cash earning potential and a few perks directly with United Airlines. While this card doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles that are available with other United cards, it’s a great place to start, especially if you’re in the market for a card that does not charge an annual fee. Don’t miss your flight – apply today and take advantage of the $150 bonus TravelBank cash introductory offer, and start earning rewards with United Airlines today.