One of a handful of credit cards in Canada belonging to an international airline, the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard offers a wide variety of perks, and the ability to use your points not only on United, but any Star Alliance carrier, which includes Air Canada.

The biggest downside? It's not a Canadian rewards program. And as such, actually using your MileagePlus points for flights that aren't on United will leave you with some limited options.

Earning rewards with the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard

This card earns rewards you can use with one of the world's largest airlines. And while the best and easiest way to use United MileagePlus is for flights on United, you can also use them towards flights on Star Alliance carriers.

Here is what you'll earn when you use your credit card for purchases:

• 1.25 miles per $1 spent on United and Star Alliance flights
• 1 mile per $1 spent on restaurants and groceries
• 0.75 miles per $1 spent on everything else

Spending $3,000 per month across various categories will get you roughly 30,150 miles per year.

Using United MileagePlus miles

Your United miles can be used in a variety of ways. Here are your basic options:

• Flights
• Merchandise
• Shopping
• Other travel
• Travel extras (things like baggage fees and seat selection)
• Charity donations
• Experiences

But let's be honest, you're collecting airline miles and using them for free flights.

If you're redeeming for flights on United, there's usually plenty of availability. And while United flies to most major airports in Canada, it only flies direct to its own major hubs. The precise hubs depend on the originating airport:

• Newark
• Washington-Dulles
• Chicago-O'Hare
• Houston-Intercontinental
• Denver
• San Francisco

You can use them for flights on Star Alliance carriers, including Air Canada. But availability can be limited. As an example, we looked at a one-way flight from Calgary to Vancouver, a route where Air Canada has somewhere around 10 flights per day, and United on miles only had 2 direct flights.

In short, it's terrific for flights on United, but be prepared to book far in advance for other carriers.

What are they worth? We value them at 2 cents each when used for flights on United, and roughly 1.5 cents each when used with partner airlines.

Pros to the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard

This card has quite a bit going for it.

1. United perks

There's a pair of United perks. First, you'll get 1 free checked bag on eligible United Airlines flights. That's easy savings in the bag.

The other is you'll get priority boarding – you'll board in group 2, before general boarding. This benefit also extends to anyone travelling with you on the same reservation.

2. Discount on reward flights

Stretch the value of your miles by having this card. You'll save a minimum of 10% on all reward bookings on United flights.

3. Big welcome bonus

Like pretty much all airline cards, there's a big welcome bonus to kickstart your rewards bank. Here, you'll earn 20,000 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.

4. Annual bonus

Decided you want to renew your card for another year by paying the annual fee? There's a sweet 5,000-mile bonus every time you do. It's enough value to offset the annual fee.

Speaking of the annual fee…

5. Low annual fee

The annual fee is only $89. Outside of a few no annual fee World Elite Mastercards (which offer little in the way of benefits), it's cheaper than others, where the annual fees start at $120.

6. Secured version available

Have poor credit? Like all Neo credit cards, there is a secured version of this card you can get instead. There's no difference between them, other than you'll have to provide a security deposit to get it, which then becomes your credit limit. The minimum security deposit required is $200.

Cons to the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard

It is by no means a perfect card.

1. Foreign rewards program

Like pretty much all airline cards, it's geared towards the airline it's associated with. And as a foreign airline, flights can be limited from Canada. And while you can use your points for flights within Canada on Air Canada, flight availability isn't always the best.

2. High income requirements

This is typical of all World Elite Mastercards, but you'll need to meet high income requirements of either $80,000 personal or $150,000 household to qualify.

Other Neo Mastercards

Neo offers a suite of cash back credit cards. If you'd rather not put all your rewards eggs in one basket, you can use your cash back to pay for whatever you want.

Here are the basics on all these cards (and every one of them has a secure version, too):

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FAQ

What is United MileagePlus?

United MileagePlus is the rewards program for United Airlines. United is one of the largest airlines in the world, and they offer flights from major airports in Canada to their hubs in Newark, Washington-Dulles, Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Houston-Intercontinental and San Francisco.

What airlines can you redeem MileagePlus miles with?

There are quite a few airlines that allow you to redeem MileagePlus miles for free flights. United Airlines is the primary option for using MileagePlus for flights, but you can also redeem miles on any Star Alliance carrier, including Air Canada.

What does the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard offer?

The United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard offers MileagePlus miles on every purchase – up to 1.25 miles per $1 spent. It also includes a big welcome bonus, an annual bonus every year when you renew your card, and United perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding.