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United Launches MileagePlus Debit Card That Awards Miles on Spending and Saving

The Visa account from Sunrise Banks and Galileo targets debit-first members with no credit check and balance-tier bonuses.

Overview

  • Cardholders earn 1 mile per $1 on United purchases and 1 mile per $2 on other eligible purchases, plus 2,500 bonus miles each year after $10,000 in annual spend.
  • New applicants can receive 10,000 miles after $500 in purchases within four months, and the $4 monthly fee is waived with a $2,000 average daily balance.
  • Members earn additional annualized miles based on average daily balances, topping out at 70,000 miles per year for $50,000 or more, credited monthly at one‑twelfth.
  • The product runs on Visa, is issued by Sunrise Banks and powered by Galileo, requires no credit check, includes card controls, and offers no Premier or travel benefits; holders may also keep a United credit card.
  • Coverage notes United did not disclose commercial terms, and analysts point to small‑issuer interchange advantages and deposit monetization as likely drivers as airlines revisit debit rewards following Southwest’s recent launch.