Chase recently sweetened the sign-up bonus on the United Airlines Mileage Plus Visa, adding a $50 statement credit for new applicants who make a single purchase with the United credit card. This new perk comes in addition to the 25,000 United Mileage Plus bonus miles awarded after a single purchase and the 5,000 miles granted if an authorized user is added to a card-holder’s account. The 25,000 mile bonus is enough to acquire one round-trip saver award ticket to anywhere in the Continental U.S. Add in the $50 cash back bonus, and this newly revamped United credit card offer also covers the cost of checked baggage for one flight.

United and Continental Airlines still technically operate as two different airlines pending FAA approval of their application for a single operating certificate which is expected in late 2011. However, for all intents and purposes, United and Continental are operating as a merged company. For consumers, this means that frequently flyer miles can be seamlessly transferred between the United Airlines Mileage Plus program and Continental’s OnePass program.

Despite the fact that United and Continental are now essentially the same airline, both companies continue to issue separate credit cards through Chase. However, consumers who don’t currently have a Continental OnePass credit card may be better off applying for this offer instead of the United credit card. The reason is quite simple and can result in substantial savings for frequent flyers:  Continental’s OnePass credit card offers one free checked bag for up to eight people traveling together on every flight. And this perk applies to both United and Continental flights.

The value of the Continental card’s free checked bag perk is tremendous. A couple can save $100 on a round-trip flight; a family of four saves $200. This savings is substantially more valuable than free miles or $50 statement credits. Consequently, United frequent flyers can get the same exact sign up perks – 30,000 free miles and a $50 cash back bonus – plus save $50 per person, per flight on baggage fees.

While it is entirely possible that the United Airlines credit card will eventually offer free checked bags, anyone planning to fly United this summer or fall stands to save significantly more by opting for the Continental OnePass credit card. Consumers who choose the Continental card get the same sign-up bonuses, a fee free first year, and potentially hundreds of dollars in savings on baggage fees. This is about as good as airline cards get.

 

 

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