United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard review

How the United card earns MileagePlus miles

United Airlines and Star Alliance flights earn 1.25 MileagePlus miles per dollar, dining and groceries earn 1 mile, and everything else earns 0.75 miles. Neo’s network of more than 10,000 partners can add bonus MileagePlus miles on top.

For example, a cardholder spending $500 a month on groceries, $200 on dining and $800 on other purchases earns 700 + 600 = 1,300 miles a month, or 15,600 a year. A $2,000 United booking adds 2,500 more, for 18,100 miles.

Those earn rates are modest, so treat the miles as a bonus. The card earns its keep mainly through the United travel perks.

The welcome offer

New cardholders can earn up to 25,000 MileagePlus miles. The 15,000-mile portion requires $3,000 of spending in the first 3 months, about $1,000 a month.

Our data doesn’t spell out how the remaining 10,000 miles are earned, so check Neo’s offer terms before you apply. For the example cardholder above, the full offer adds more miles than a year of everyday spending earns.

United perks

The perks are what set this card apart. You and companions on the same reservation get a free first checked bag on United-operated flights, and you get Group 2 priority boarding. United award flights cost at least 10% less, or 15% less with Premier status, and cardholders get access to exclusive Saver Award availability.

The card also includes a NEXUS application fee credit of up to US$120 every five years and a Mastercard Travel Pass (DragonPass) lounge membership, though a per-visit fee applies when you use a lounge.

Fees, interest and the fine print

The annual fee is $89. Purchases in a foreign currency carry a 2.5% fee, about $25 per $1,000 spent abroad, so think twice before using the card for spending on trips outside Canada. Purchase interest is 19.99%, and paying the full balance by the due date avoids it.

A secured version is also available with the same earn rates and travel perks, which can help if your credit history is still developing.

Insurance coverage

The card includes travel coverage for medical emergencies, trips and baggage, plus rental car protection. Coverage isn’t available to Quebec residents, so check the certificate for eligibility, limits and exclusions.

• Out-of-province emergency medical
• Trip protection
• Delayed and lost baggage
• Rental car coverage
• Mastercard Zero Liability

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

The card suits Canadians who fly United a few times a year, often with a travel companion, and want to save on bags and award flights for a low fee. The NEXUS credit is a further bonus if you cross the Canada–US border often.

If you rarely fly United, the 0.75-mile base rate makes it a weak everyday earner, and Quebec residents won’t get the insurance coverage.

How it compares

The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card has the same $89 fee and earns 1 Aeroplan point per dollar on gas, groceries, EV charging and Air Canada purchases. It suits travellers who fly Air Canada more than United.

The Cathay World Elite Mastercard comes from the same issuer and costs $180 a year. It earns 2 miles per dollar on Cathay Pacific flights and offers up to 30,000 Cathay miles as a welcome offer, for travellers loyal to Cathay Pacific instead.

Before you apply

The recommended credit score is 720 or higher, but Neo Financial makes the final decision, and it also offers a secured version with the same earn rates and perks. Confirm the welcome offer and current terms on Neo’s website before you apply.