Puntos Clave
- La membresía anual de United Club aumentará de $550 a $640 el 13 de agosto de 2024, un incremento del 16%.
- La tarjeta United Explorer tendrá una cuota anual de $150 desde el 23 de marzo de 2025, con bonificación de 80,000 millas.
- Desde enero de 2025, Premier Silver de MileagePlus requerirá 5,000 PQPs y 15 PQFs, elevando los umbrales en un 20–25%.
United Airlines recently announced various changes to its lounge memberships and co-branded credit cards, alongside updates to the MileagePlus loyalty program. These adjustments, which include increased fees and rewarded benefits, aim to align with operational costs and target more premium travelers. However, these changes also raise important questions about their impact on frequent flyers and the airline’s relationship with other customer bases. Here’s a detailed look at the changes and what they mean for your travel experience.
United Club Membership Fee Increases
The cost of accessing the United Club lounges—often regarded as a haven for frequent travelers—has seen a noticeable increase. Starting August 13, 2024, the annual membership fee for the United Club will rise from $550 to $640. This sixteen percent jump not only reflects rising operational costs but also aligns with United’s broader strategy to focus on elite customers.
These lounges are known for offering such comforts as premium seating, complimentary food and drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and calm surroundings, which cater especially to business travelers and those with long layovers. However, it remains to be seen if this fee increase will discourage more budget-conscious customers from choosing this perk. United Airlines, like other major carriers, is balancing the exclusivity of these spaces against its need to cover increasing overhead costs.
While the $640 price tag remains competitive compared to similar programs from other airlines, it pushes travelers to weigh its benefits against its cost. Those accustomed to using United Club lounges during frequent business trips may find the value worth the price. However, occasional flyers could begin reconsidering whether this service is a good investment.
Fee Adjustments in Co-Branded Credit Cards
Alongside the lounge fee hike, United Airlines has also raised annual fees for several of its co-branded credit card products. These credit cards, offered in partnership with major financial institutions, are popular choices for travelers seeking to maximize rewards and perks. Below is an overview of the significant changes:
United Explorer Card
On March 23, 2025, United Explorer Card’s annual fee increased from $95 to $150. To soften this increase, United has enhanced the sign-up bonus for new users to 80,000 miles, provided they spend $3,000 within the first three months. While this may entice potential customers, existing cardholders who travel less frequently may find the steep annual fee harder to justify.
United Club Infinite Card
The annual fee for the premium United Club Infinite Card also went up in February 2024, moving from $525 to $625 per year. This card grants access to the United Club lounges and comes with various travel benefits. While the increase is relatively moderate compared to other developments, some customers may look for comparable options in the market if they feel the added costs outweigh the advantages.
United Quest Card
Significant modifications were introduced to the United Quest Card on March 24, 2025. United Airlines replaced the $125 annual statement credit for United purchases with United TravelBank cash of the same value. TravelBank cash is credited to accounts for use specifically on tickets purchased through United or United Express. However, it excludes taxes and fees on award tickets. These changes may limit the value for customers seeking flexibility, even as they simplify the redemption process for United loyalists.
United Presidential Plus Card
Another premium option, the United Presidential Plus Card, saw its annual fee increase on July 20, 2024. Previously priced at $375 to $395, the fee now stands at $450. Catering to wealthier and more frequent travelers, this card retains its appeal for those comfortable with higher initial spending in return for exclusive perks.
MileagePlus Loyalty Program Updates
For frequent travelers who rely on the MileagePlus loyalty program, key updates have made earning elite status more demanding. Effective January 2025, the requirements for achieving MileagePlus Premier levels have increased. For example, to achieve Premier Silver status, members now need to earn 5,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and complete 15 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs), up from the earlier tiers of 4,000 PQPs and 12 PQFs. This reflects a 20–25% rise in spending thresholds across most elite levels of the program.
In addition, a new feature allows MileagePlus members to convert PlusPoints (earned through loyalty) into United TravelBank cash or additional Premier Qualifying Points. While the feature adds flexibility, some customers emphasize that adjusting program thresholds challenges the overall accessibility of elite tiers. Travelers who routinely fly with United Airlines might adapt better to these changes, but occasional customers or budget-conscious flyers may begin exploring alternative carriers.
Why Are Changes Happening?
The adjustments made by United Airlines reflect broader challenges in the airline industry. Let’s break this down further:
Increasing Operational Costs
The airline industry faces mounting costs due to inflation, fuel prices, and investments in amenities like lounges and customer technology. By raising membership, credit card, and loyalty program fees, United hopes to manage these expenses while maintaining high-quality services.
Competing with Other Airlines
United’s moves aren’t happening in isolation. Major competitors like American Airlines and Delta have similarly adjusted their loyalty programs and premium service prices, leading United to follow suit in maintaining parity. The airline industry is increasingly pivoting from frequent traveler rewards to higher spend-based models, and United appears to align itself with such trends.
Controlling Overcrowding
Elite lounges and tiers have faced crowding issues, diminishing the premium experience. By raising costs and increasing requirements for MileagePlus elite statuses, United Airlines seeks to ensure true exclusivity for its most dedicated customers. In doing so, the programs aim to preserve their value for frequent flyers.
What This Means for United Airlines Customers
So, how will these changes affect you? It depends on how often you fly and your travel preferences.
- Business Travelers/High-Spenders: Those who frequently fly for work or spend high amounts on travel-based credit cards might view these changes as a manageable adjustment. These flyers are likely to benefit most from preserved exclusivity in lounges, upgraded benefits, and revamped loyalty programs.
-
Casual or Budget Flyers: Less frequent travelers stand to lose more, with increased fees making it harder to justify the costs of premium perks. The higher requirements for elite tiers may discourage loyalty and push non-business travelers toward options that better match their budgets.
For United Airlines, these fee hikes and benefit restructuring align with its long-term strategy of targeting higher-value customers. The changes also help bolster profitability in a competitive airline industry that emphasizes ancillary revenues—income from non-ticket products like baggage fees, loyalty programs, and lounge memberships.
Industry Trends and Historical Context
United Airlines’ course of action mirrors significant trends observed across the U.S. airline market. Airlines increasingly profit from ancillary charges, with statistics revealing that from 2018 to 2023, the U.S.’s largest airlines generated over $12 billion annually from seat fees and similar add-ons. These changes further shift rankings in customer experiences and invite additional scrutiny from regulators.
For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced investigations into major airlines, including United, for transparency issues related to their loyalty programs. Advocacy groups and lawmakers have argued that rising fees may unfairly benefit wealthier travelers while pricing out customers with modest travel budgets.
Conclusion
The changes introduced by United Airlines reflect a significant recalibration of its premium offerings. While these adjustments allow the airline to better cater to high-spending customers and sustain operational costs, they pose challenges to more budget-conscious passengers. From increased lounge membership costs and credit card fees to stricter loyalty program tiers, United’s updates highlight a sharper focus on exclusivity.
For travelers, whether these changes represent value or frustration will depend on individual preferences and travel habits. As the MileagePlus program evolves and co-branded credit cards adapt to meet rising expectations, travelers must weigh their options carefully, ensuring their loyalty aligns with their needs.
For official resources on United Airlines’ loyalty and benefits programs, you can visit United Airlines’ website. To stay informed about industry developments, VisaVerge.com remains a reliable platform for ongoing analysis related to travel and immigration trends.
Overall, the new dynamics reflect a broader transformation in how airlines prioritize customers and profitability, creating ripples across passenger experiences in the years to come.
Aprende Hoy
Miembros co-marca → Tarjetas de crédito ofrecidas en asociación entre aerolíneas y bancos, diseñadas para otorgar beneficios específicos a viajeros frecuentes.
United TravelBank cash → Crédito ofrecido por United Airlines exclusivo para compras de boletos en su plataforma, no incluye impuestos ni tarifas de boletos premio.
Puntos de Calificación Premier (PQP) → Métrica utilizada por United Airlines para determinar el nivel de estatus élite dentro del programa de lealtad MileagePlus.
Lounge o Salones → Áreas exclusivas en aeropuertos que proporcionan servicios premium como comida, bebida y espacios de descanso a pasajeros élite.
Ingresos auxiliares → Ganancias de aerolíneas provenientes de servicios adicionales, como membresías de salones, tarifas de equipaje o programas de lealtad.
Este Artículo en Resumen
Cambios en United Airlines: ¿Vale la pena?
United Airlines eleva precios para lounges, tarjetas de crédito y su programa MileagePlus, apuntando a viajeros premium. Las membresías suben 16%, mientras que obtener estatus élite ahora exige más gasto. Aunque mejora la exclusividad, ¿podrá atraer clientes casuales? Los viajeros deberán evaluar si los beneficios realmente justifican los aumentos.
— Por VisaVerge.com
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