Neo Financial teams up with United Airlines to launch its first airline credit card
Kyla Friel, Content Specialist
Canadians will soon have a new airline credit card to consider, coming packed with premium travel perks.
The Calgary-based company has announced a new co-branded credit card with United Airlines: the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard. The card is set to launch in April 2026 and will allow Canadians to earn United MileagePlus miles on everyday spending, along with airline perks when flying United. Here’s what’s been confirmed so far.
What is the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard?
According to the announcement, the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard will combine Neo’s real-time rewards ecosystem with United’s MileagePlus loyalty program.
The card will earn United MileagePlus miles, the loyalty currency of United Airlines, and will be positioned as a premium World Elite Mastercard product. A public waitlist is now open ahead of its official launch.
For Canadians who regularly fly to the U.S. or connect internationally through United’s network, this is a new opportunity to earn United miles directly through a Canadian-issued credit card.
United operates the world’s largest airline network by available seat miles, serving more than 380 destinations across six continents. Through Star Alliance, MileagePlus members can also earn and redeem miles across a broad global network of partner airlines.
What benefits have been confirmed?
Although many details are still to come, Neo Financial and United have confirmed several features.
All new cardmembers will receive a welcome offer. In addition, the first 3,000 customers to join the waitlist will be eligible for an extra 5,000 bonus miles on top of the standard welcome offer, once approved, activated, and after making a first purchase. The full details of the base welcome offer, including any minimum spending requirement, have not yet been released.
Cardholders will receive airline-specific perks when flying United, including priority boarding and a free checked bag. For frequent travellers, those benefits alone can offset a meaningful portion of a typical annual fee on a premium card. They will also be able to earn additional miles when booking flights with Star Alliance carriers and redeem miles across the alliance network.
Beyond travel, cardholders will have access to Neo’s existing partner ecosystem, which includes more than 10,000 local and national partners across Canada, where accelerated miles can be earned at participating retailers.
Income requirements and eligibility
As a World Elite Mastercard, the card will come with minimum income requirements. According to the terms and conditions, applicants must have a personal income of at least $80,000 CAD or a household income of at least $150,000 CAD. Applicants must also be the age of majority in their province or territory and be Canadian residents.
Annual fee details have not yet been announced.
Changes to travel rewards
Travel isn’t disappearing under Blue Rewards, but it is being reworked. Instead of Air Miles’ existing booking system, Blue Rewards will introduce a new travel redemption platform powered by Expedia Group. This is expected to expand the range of available flights, hotels, and car rentals, while offering a more streamlined booking experience.
For collectors, this could mean more choice and easier bookings, though the value of points for travel redemptions will be an important detail to watch once the program launches.
New partners, with a shift toward everyday spending
Blue Rewards will continue to include more than 400 existing Air Miles partners, while adding new ones focused on travel, food, and daily convenience.
Newly announced partners include Porter Airlines, Accor hotel brands such as Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Novotel, and SLS, as well as Instacart and several MTY Group restaurant brands, including Thai Express, Bâton Rouge, Sushi Shop, Mr. Sub, Manchu Wok, and Mucho Burrito.
Collectors will also continue earning rewards with Shell Canada for a limited time, with earning and redemption available nationally until May 25, 2026.
More partner announcements are expected ahead of the program’s launch.
Blue Rewards is not the same as BMO Rewards
It’s important to remember that Blue Rewards is not the same as BMO Rewards, which is a separate rewards program available only on select BMO credit cards. Air Miles is transitioning into Blue Rewards, while BMO Rewards will continue to exist independently.
The two programs will continue to operate separately with their different earning and redemption structures.
Why this matters for Canadian travellers
Canada’s airline credit card market has long been concentrated around a handful of major banks and two dominant carriers. By introducing a United co-branded card, Neo is broadening that landscape and adding another global airline option for Canadian cardholders.
For travellers who don’t primarily fly Air Canada or WestJet, or who regularly connect through U.S. hubs, the card introduces a premium alternative tied directly to one of the world’s largest airline networks. That added competition could also put pressure on existing airline cards to stay aggressive with earn rates, perks, and welcome offers.
At the same time, the partnership marks a shift for Neo itself. Known primarily for cash back and merchant-driven rewards, the company is now entering one of the most competitive segments in Canadian credit cards where brand recognition and travel rewards tend to drive long-term customer loyalty.
Other airline credit cards in Canada
Neo Financial’s new card joins the ranks of established airline co-branded products already available to Canadian travellers.
Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is the most prominent example. Aeroplan credit cards, issued by TD, CIBC, and American Express, allow cardholders to earn points on daily spending and typically include benefits such as a free first checked bag and preferred pricing on reward flights. Points can be redeemed across Air Canada’s network and with Star Alliance partners.
WestJet also offers co-branded credit cards through RBC. These cards earn WestJet dollars that can be applied toward flights and vacation packages, with select versions offering companion vouchers and other travel benefits.
There are also flexible travel rewards programs that aren’t tied to a single airline. American Express Membership Rewards cards, for instance, allow points to be transferred to airline partners such as Aeroplan, while programs like RBC Avion and Scene+ offer the option to redeem points against a wide range of travel purchases.
The bottom line
The United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard marks a notable step for Neo Financial and introduces a new way for Canadians to earn miles with one of the world’s largest airlines.
With priority boarding, a free checked bag, Star Alliance earning potential, and access to Neo’s expansive partner network already confirmed, the card is shaping up to compete in the premium travel category when it launches in April 2026.
Also read:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right airline credit card in Canada?
Do airline credit cards limit you to one airline?
Can I redeem airline miles on partner airlines?
Kyla Friel, Content Specialist
Kyla Friel is a content specialist at Ratehub.ca with a background in research-driven content marketing. She’s worked across B2B and consumer spaces, combining SEO knowledge with a passion for clear, engaging writing. She enjoys diving into complex topics and making them accessible to everyday readers.