For you and one traveling companion on the same itinerary.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.If you’re willing to pay the high $525 annual fee, The United Club℠ Infinite Card is packed with value that’ll make up for it. This card is especially worthwhile if you’re a frequent United flyer looking for a luxury experience. You’ll get complimentary United Club lounge access (worth up to $650), Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and NEXUS credit (worth up to $100), two free checked bags (worth at least $30 each way), excellent travel purchase protections and more.
But while this card offers the most value of any United credit card, it’s also the most expensive to own. If you can’t justify paying the annual fee, you might prefer a United credit card with a lower annual fee or a general rewards credit card.
Intro Purchase APR
N/A
Regular Purchase APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Intro BT APR
N/A
Regular BT APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$525
Cash Advance Fee
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Valuable sign-up bonus
The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers one of the highest sign-up bonuses you can earn for a United Airlines credit card. You’ll Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Since we value United miles at 1.3 cents per mile, we estimate this bonus to be worth around $1,040 in United airfare, which is more than double the card’s $525 annual fee.
Should you apply now? While 80,000 points is substantial, you should note that the bonus is currently not at a peak. There have been larger offers in the past 12 months:
High earning rate
The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers a strong earning rate on United Airlines purchases with other useful spending categories like travel and dining. Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. United miles are worth about 1.3 cents each, which is more valuable than other airlines (for example, Delta miles are only worth about 1.1 cents per mile). This means you’ll get a high return for each dollar spent compared to other cards.
Many airline credit card cards only have limited spending categories, ones that only give bonus miles for spending with the airline. The United Club℠ Infinite Card differentiates itself from the pack with expanded spending categories that let you stack up miles on travel and dining, on top of United purchases.
As you can see from the chart below, the United Club℠ Infinite Card beats many cards — including the United℠ Explorer Card — in the rate that it earns miles on ongoing purchases:
We estimate an earning rate for the average consumer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor data and multiply that by the value of each card’s points or miles.
Rewards are easy to redeem through the MileagePlus Program
United miles are easy to redeem through United’s MileagePlus program. We currently rank MileagePlus as the most user-friendly of major airline miles programs: That’s because United offers a large flight network with a large number of Star Alliance partners, excellent award availability, a relatively easy booking experience and miles that don’t expire.
| Usability overall score = 4.2 out of 5 (Excellent) | |
|---|---|
| Miles expiration | 5 out of 5 |
| Flight network | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Award availability | 4 out of 5 |
| Ease of booking | 5 out of 5 |
| Complexity | 2.25 out of 5 |
When redeeming miles for free flights on United or one of United’s Star Alliance airline partners, you’ll see two levels of awards for each cabin class — Saver and Everyday. While Saver Awards are more limited than Everyday Awards, you can score a free Saver Award flight with a relatively low amount of miles. For example, Economy Saver Award prices from San Francisco to Los Angeles run as low as 5,100 miles.
On the other hand, award flights with United can be expensive if you don’t have the flexibility to book Saver Awards. A first-class Everyday Award from San Francisco to Los Angeles can cost around 30,000 miles, while international Business Class flights can range over 300,000 miles.
United is part of the Star Alliance, meaning you can use your United miles to book flights with any of their 25 partnering airlines.
Star Alliance partners include the following:
United Club and Star Alliance lounge access
One of the main reasons to apply for the United Club℠ Infinite Card is its lounge access benefit, especially if you travel frequently through an airport with a United Club lounge. You’ll get access to more than 45 United Club lounges and participating Star Alliance lounges around the globe. So if you’re loyal to United Airlines, this is a great value because a United Club Membership is usually up to $650 annually.
But if you’re looking for a wider variety of lounge options, you’re better off with another travel card. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers access to 1,400-plus airport lounges in more than 140 countries including The Centurion® Network.
Airport lounges vary in their amenities, but many of them have complimentary food, drinks, showers, Wi-Fi, play areas for children and more. It’s a great way to escape the stressful environment of an airport terminal.
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS credit
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and NEXUS can save you time, energy and stress when you’re at the airport, allowing you to breeze through security and customs when reentering the U.S. The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers a statement credit worth up to $100 every four years, and can be used to cover your full application fee for any of these three programs. (Your membership will last for five years.)
Many premium travel credit cards come with a similar credit, which is a nice way to get your membership for free.
IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status and IHG Credit
United Club℠ Infinite Card cardholders get Platinum Elite status with IHG Rewards. This benefit offers complimentary room upgrades and extended checkout, where available, when you stay at IHG properties. You can also earn IHG points at a higher rate on IHG hotel stays. Plus, you’ll receive up to $75 in statement credits per calendar year as reimbursement for IHG purchases charged to your card between Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024.
Other travel benefits
The United Club℠ Infinite Card comes with a long list of other valuable travel benefits for United loyalists, including free checked bags, free upgrades and an elite status boost. However, outside of the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS credit, this card is lacking when it comes to travel credits.
Similar cards with high annual fees offer travel credits that can help offset the cost of an annual fee. For example, the United Quest℠ Card comes with a $125 annual credit that applies to most United purchases including airfare. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a $300 annual travel credit that applies to almost any type of travel. The Platinum Card® from American Express offers credits worth more than $1,200.
For you and one traveling companion on the same itinerary.
Easy access through the airport with priority check-in and security screening where available, as well as boarding and baggage handling privileges.
Can be used on food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases on United flights.
For you and one companion on the same reservation, subject to availability. This benefit can save you hundreds of dollars on a round-trip flight.
Complimentary two-car class upgrades, expedited rental car service, guaranteed car availability and more (must enroll in Avis President’s Club).
You can purchase private, specially curated experiences. These events could include exclusive culinary events at the world’s best restaurants, meeting sporting legends and more.
Within the continental U.S. and Canada.
Premier qualifying points (PQP) can help you earn MileagePlus Premier® status. You’ll earn 25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases with your card (up to 10,000 per calendar year)
24/7 assistance for items like travel planning, restaurant reservations, sports tickets and more, available year round from home or abroad.
DashPass is a membership for DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. You’ll get one free year of DashPass, then a regular membership fee of $9.99 per month applies.
Top travel and purchase coverages
The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers excellent travel and purchase coverages that compare well with other top travel credit cards. The United Club℠ Infinite Card has many of the same travel and purchase coverages as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, which is the top travel insurance card. For example, both the United Club℠ Infinite Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® card have primary rental car insurance that allows you to report loss or damages directly to your issuer, while most cards only offer secondary coverage.
Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip reimbursement for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.
Up to $100 reimbursement per day for three days for baggage delays over six hours.
For luggage lost or damaged by the carrier, you’re covered for up to $3,000 per passenger.
If your trip is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you can get an up to $500 reimbursement per ticket.
Primary car rental insurance when you decline the insurance with the rental company and charge the full cost to your card.
Coverage against damage or theft for new purchases made on your card for 120 days. You can get up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
If the store won’t take back an item within 90 days of purchase, you can be reimbursed up to $500 per item and $1,000 per year.
Cardholders can have the U.S, manufacturer’s warranty extended by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
No foreign transaction fees
The United Club℠ Infinite Card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on purchases outside the United States. This is an important benefit for travel credit cards, as it will save you money on every purchase made abroad.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | Annual Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Club℠ Infinite Card
 Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $525 |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. | Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year. | $95 |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
United℠ Explorer Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | $95 |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
The Platinum Card® from American Express
|
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply. | Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | $695 |
If you book United flights regularly, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be a better option. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns miles that you can transfer to United and other loyalty programs, but for a much smaller fee.
In fact, we rate it as one of the best travel credit cards because it offers great rewards and travel benefits for a modest $95 annual fee. The card lets you enjoy benefits like enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also allows the flexibility of transferring points to other airlines programs at a 1:1 ratio or redeeming through Chase’s travel portal for a 25% bonus.
The United℠ Explorer Card is better for semi-frequent travelers who don’t care about airport lounge access. It comes with a much lower annual fee: $0 Intro for the First Year, then $95
The card grants you a free checked bag on United flights, which can easily make up for the fee each year. Plus, you’ll get other valuable benefits like a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry, two United Club one-time passes each card anniversary and primary car rental insurance.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is an excellent card for someone interested in luxury travel benefits and more flexible rewards. The card rewards you with American Express Membership Rewards® points that can be transferred to a variety of travel partners, including Delta and JetBlue. And while United is not in this list of partners, a few of the airlines on the list belong to Star Alliance. As such, you can transfer your points to any of these programs to book United flights.
It comes with a larger lounge network (including access to Amex Centurion lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required) and Delta Sky Clubs), and also offers a multitude of travel and shopping credits. These benefits can more than make up for the card’s $695 annual fee, if you can take advantage of them.
With benefits like United Club access, comprehensive travel insurance and lucrative spending categories, the United Club℠ Infinite Card is a great card if you’re looking to earn United miles and enjoy luxurious benefits. However, it does come with a high $525 annual fee, which could be a deterrent for some.
The most valuable benefit of the United Club℠ Infinite Card is the United Club airport lounge access. But if you aren’t interested in this benefit, you should opt for a United Airlines credit card with a lower annual fee. The United℠ Explorer Card comes with many of the same benefits minus lounge access, for a much lower $95 annual fee.
And if you aren’t planning to fly exclusively with United Airlines and would rather choose a travel rewards card that isn’t co-branded, there are plenty of excellent options to pick from as well.
Apply Now
The United Club℠ Infinite Card requires Excellent credit for approval. You should check your credit score ahead of time to see if you fit the card’s recommended credit range to increase your chances of acceptance.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card isn’t metal, but there are several other top travel credit cards that are made out of metal.
You can add an authorized user to your United Club℠ Infinite Card. However, authorized users don’t get United Club membership, Premier Access or free checked bag unless they’re on the same reservation as the primary cardholder.
Authorized users will, however, be able to earn miles by making purchases and qualify for 25% back on in-flight food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases. They’ll also receive 12 months of complimentary DashPass.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
