Core Insights - United Airlines is preparing to launch a rewards-earning debit card, similar to Southwest Airlines' recent offering [1][13] - The card will be called the United MileagePlus® Debit Rewards and will charge a $4 monthly fee, which can be waived with a $2,000 average monthly balance [2][4] - The earning rates for the card are relatively low, with 1 mile per $1 spent on United purchases and 1 mile per $2 spent on other purchases [3][9] Earning Structure - Cardholders can earn 2,500 bonus miles for spending $10,000 in a year, but there is a cap of 70,000 miles on annual earnings [4][9] - The effective earning rate is 0.5 miles per $1 spent on everyday purchases, which is less than half of what United's no-annual-fee credit card offers [9][14] Partnerships and Technology - The debit card will operate on Visa's network and utilize SoFi Technologies' Galileo Financial Technologies platform [6] - Sunrise Banks N.A. will serve as the banking partner, providing FDIC insurance up to $250,000 for card funds [7] Market Positioning - The card is not expected to be a good deal for most travelers due to its low earning rates compared to existing credit card options [9][14] - It may be a viable option for individuals who cannot qualify for a rewards-earning credit card, allowing them to earn some rewards on everyday spending [11][14]