United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard: Everything You Need to Know
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United Airlines and Neo Financial have introduced an exciting new way to earn United MileagePlus miles in Canada with the United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard.
In this article, we share everything you need to know about this new card, including its earning rates, travel perks, and more. Read on to find out if the United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard is a good fit for your travel wallet.
- Annual fee
- $89
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$320Total$320Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $320
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 20,000 miles
Apply Now
on Neo Financial's website
United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard
The United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard is a welcome addition to the Canadian rewards market as it provides more direct earning opportunities for a previously difficult-to-access airline loyalty program.
Whereas US-based travellers have multiple United MileagePlus-earning options available through Chase bank, this new card will be the only United MileagePlus co-branded credit card in Canada, making it quite unique.
Card Details
The United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard has an annual fee of $89, which is quite accessible compared to competitors’ cards at the same level.
New cardholders will also have to meet a minimum income requirement of $80,000 individual or $150,000 household, which is in line with other World Elite Mastercards on the market.
Welcome offer
The card is also starting strong with a welcome offer of up to 25,000 MileagePlus miles, broken down as follows:
- Earn 5,000 miles when the card is activated, and you make your first purchase
- Earn an additional 15,000 miles after you spend a minimum of $3,000 on the card within 3 months of your application
- Earn a 5,000-mile renewal bonus each year after your account has remained open for 365 days, provided you have made at least one eligible purchase in the preceding 365 days
MileagePlus miles earn rates
This new premium credit card is a great option for fans of United Airlines and of travel in general. With its solid earning rates, you can earn plenty of MileagePlus miles on all your daily purchases, getting you closer to your next award flight every time you buy groceries, fill up the tank, or enjoy a meal out.
The MileagePlus miles you earn on the card will be credited to your United MileagePlus account monthly.
The United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard comes with the following earning rates:
- Earn 1.25 miles per $1 spent on United Airlines and Star Alliance flights
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on dining and groceries
- Earn 0.75 miles per $1 spent on everything else
Additionally, as a cardholder, you’ll have the opportunity to earn bonus miles on top of the base earning rates through Neo’s merchant partner network.
The earning rates with these partnered merchants vary, and cardholders can see the current offers through the Neo app, similarly to how it works with Neo’s cash-back card options.
Card Perks and Benefits
In addition to giving you the ability to earn MileagePlus miles on all your purchases, the United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard also offers some helpful travel features that can save you money and make your journey more enjoyable.
United Cardholder Benefits
Being a United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard cardholder comes with two meaningful advantages that go beyond the standard MileagePlus membership.
First, your miles stack: you earn MileagePlus miles as a member on every United flight, plus additional miles when you pay with your card, which can add up to twice as many miles per dollar compared to non-cardholders.
Second, your miles go further: cardholders automatically get at least 10 % off award flights (15 % with Premier Status), and unlock Saver Award availability, including Polaris® Business Class seats that aren’t always visible to non-cardholders, starting as low as 72,000 miles for general cardholders.
In practice, that means:
- Fewer miles needed per flight
- Access to better seats and more availability
- Travel experiences that aren’t on offer to everyone
Travel perks
First, in terms of travel perks, the United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard comes with the following:
- Save on baggage: Get your first checked bag free on all United flights.
- Put your feet up: Gain access to over 1,400 airport lounges with Mastercard Travel Pass powered by DragonPass. (Your membership is complimentary, but you will still need to pay the per-visit fee.)
- Enjoy priority boarding: As a cardholder, you and your family board as part of Group 2 on United-operated flights. This is a great way to enjoy extra time to stow your carry-on and get settled before you take off.
- Save on NEXUS: Get a reimbursement of up to $120 USD every 5 years for your Nexus application or renewal.
Additionally, cardholders can enjoy the range of World Elite Mastercard benefits. These include features like Mastercard Global Service, Mastercard Zero Liability protection, and access to Mastercard’s Priceless Experiences.
Insurance benefits (not available in Quebec)
As a premium travel credit card, it’s no surprise that the United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard also comes with a selection of insurance coverage to keep you secure while you explore.
Cardholders (except those in Quebec) can enjoy the following travel coverage:
- Emergency medical insurance
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Car rental insurance coverage
The card also offers extended warranty and purchase protection coverage, so you can rest assured that your purchases are safe.
Why This Card Fills a Real Gap for Canadian Travellers
Until now, Canadians have had no local credit card that allowed them to earn United MileagePlus miles directly on everyday purchases. In the U.S., Chase offers several co-branded United cards, the Explorer, Quest, Club Infinite and more, with generous perks (see United MileagePlus cards on Milesopedia USA). Chase exited the Canadian market a few years ago, leaving Canadian travellers without a direct option to earn MileagePlus miles at home.
This card fills that void. Canadians who frequently fly with United, whether for cross-border routes to hubs like Chicago, Houston, Newark, or San Francisco, or for international connections, can now earn miles on their everyday Canadian spending.
The fact that miles can be redeemed across the entire Star Alliance network adds meaningful flexibility beyond United flights alone.
For Canadians looking to top up their MileagePlus balance through other means, it’s also worth noting that Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to United MileagePlus at a 3:1.1 ratio.
Who Is This Card For?
So, the United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard is a great choice for fans of United Airlines (especially MileagePlus Premier status members), which offers many routes between Canada and its 7 US hub airports.
Also, since United Airlines is a member of Star Alliance and has many non-Alliance airline partners, United miles give you access to a fairly massive network of award flight destinations.
Not only can you take advantage of United’s expansive selection of destinations, but thanks to the airline’s many partnerships, you can also use miles to book award flights across many other diverse airline networks, including Canadian-favourite Air Canada/Aeroplan.
Additionally, you can redeem MileagePlus miles for flight upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and more through MileagePlus partners, making this card attractive to all types of travellers.
Bottom Line
The United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard is a welcome addition to the Canadian market, adding to the diversity of easy-to-access airline programs.
With good earning rates, an attractive welcome offer, and solid travel perks, this card is great for fans of United Airlines and for those who can take advantage of cross-network partner redemptions.
Not sure if this is the card for you, and wondering where the United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard can take you? Check out our guide to United MileagePlus destinations to learn more and get inspired.
- Annual fee
- $89
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$320Total$320Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $320
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 20,000 miles
Apply Now
on Neo Financial's website
FAQs
What is the annual fee for the United Airlines MileagePlus® Neo World Elite™ Mastercard®?
The annual fee for the United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard is $89.
How do I join United MileagePlus?
You can easily become a member of the United MileagePlus program by going to the United MileagePlus website and clicking « Join now. » You’ll need to provide a small amount of information, and then you’ll be ready to start earning.
Do United MileagePlus miles expire?
No, MileagePlus miles do not expire, so you can rest assured that your stash is safe.
What is the minimum income requirement for the United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard®?
The United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard has a minimum income requirement of $80,000 individual or $150,000 household.
Can I use the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard at Costco?
Yes. The United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard is a World Elite Mastercard. Costco Canada accepts Mastercard, which means you can use this card at Costco and earn MileagePlus miles on your purchases.
Is the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard a Game-Changer for Canadians (and Newcomers)?
Yes. Until now, Canadians have had no local credit card that allowed them to earn United MileagePlus miles directly on everyday spending. In the U.S., Chase offers several co-branded United cards: the Explorer, Quest, and Club
Does the United Neo card replace Aeroplan for travelling on Star Alliance?
No, the two programs are entirely separate. Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program, while MileagePlus belongs to United Airlines. Both allow you to book Star Alliance award flights, but with different award charts and redemption rules. Depending on your travel habits, one may offer better value than the other.