These 3 Credit Cards Can Help You Get United Airlines Elite Status

If you like to fly with United Airlines, earning Premier status will unlock extra benefits. There are two ways to do this. You can meet status requirements by taking enough Premier qualifying flights (PQFs) and earning enough Premier qualifying points (PQPs). Or, you can just earn a larger number of PQPs. Here are the status tiers and the current requirements for each one:

• Premier Silver: 12 PQF and 4,000 PQP or 5,000 PQP
• Premier Gold: 24 PQF and 8,000 PQP or 10,000 PQP
• Premier Platinum: 36 PQF and 12,000 PQP or 15,000 PQP
• Premier 1K®: 54 PQF and 18,000 PQP or 24,000 PQP

Either way, you're going to need PQPs. Here are the United credit cards that could help you earn more PQPs and get Premier status sooner.

1. United Club℠ Infinite Card: Up to 10,000 PQP per calendar year

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is United's most high-end credit card, with a $525 annual fee. It earns the same amount of PQPs as the other two cards on this list: 25 PQPs for every $500 you spend on purchases. But it has the highest limit, as you can earn up to 10,000 PQPs per year.

That would require quite a bit of spending -- $200,000, to be exact. If you spend that much, you'll earn the maximum 10,000 PQPs, which is already enough for Premier Gold status.

If you want access to United's airport lounges, this card is a great choice. It includes a complimentary United Club℠ membership, which normally costs $650. It also earns 4 miles per dollar on United purchases and offers up to two free checked bags, both for you and a travel companion on your reservation.

2. United Quest℠ Card: Up to 6,000 PQP per calendar year

The United Quest℠ Card is the mid-tier option in the airline's card lineup. It has a $250 annual fee and earns the same 25 PQPs per $500 in purchases. You can earn up to 6,000 PQPs per year this way.

To max out your PQPs with this airline credit card, you'd need to spend $120,000 on it within a calendar year. You'd earn 6,000 PQPs, enough for Premier Silver status.

This United card makes it easy to save on flights. You can receive up to $125 in statement credits for United purchases per account year. The statement credit applies to most types of United purchases, including airfare.

Starting with your first anniversary as a cardholder, you'll also get 5,000 miles back in your account after taking an eligible award flight with United. You can get up to two of these credits per year, for a total of 10,000 miles.

3. United℠ Explorer Card: Up to 1,000 PQP per calendar year

If you're looking for a more affordable card that still offers great value, the United℠ Explorer Card could be it. This card has a $0 intro annual fee the first year, and then a $95 annual fee going forward.

Like the first two credit cards, this one earns 25 PQPs for every $500 in purchases. The limit is 1,000 PQPs, which you can earn with $20,000 in spending. That alone won't get you Premier status, but it can at least help you get closer.

Since this United card has a lower annual fee, it doesn't offer as many benefits. You and a travel companion on the same reservation will both get a free checked bag. You'll also get two one-time United Club℠ passes starting when you open the card and on each account anniversary.

Which United credit card should you get?

The main factors in choosing a United card are how much you spend and how often you fly. The United Club℠ Infinite Card is ideal for big spenders who also fly with United at least five or six times per year. You'll be able to earn more PQPs, plus you can relax before your flight in United's airport lounges. The United Quest℠ Card is another good option if you have high spending and are a frequent flyer.

The United℠ Explorer Card, to be honest, isn't the best for earning Premier status. It's great if you just want to earn miles and get some extra perks with United. But if Premier status is your goal, the other two cards are better choices.

Keep in mind that other excellent travel credit cards are available, and many of them earn points you can use with more airlines than just United. If you're not sure you want to commit to flying with United, you could continue looking for a more flexible travel card.