These services can save you time, energy and stress when at the airport, allowing you to breeze through security and customs when reentering the U.S.
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.The United Club℠ Infinite Card is an excellent option for frequent United Airlines customers due to its numerous travel perks and benefits.
First Year Savings: $827*
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
The United Club℠ Infinite Card is teeming in value and is well worth its annual fee, especially for frequent United fliers looking for a luxury experience. We estimate it offers more than $800 in value for the average cardholder, just from its sign-up bonus and rewards.
The card also grants you:
The caveat, however, is that there is a $525 annual fee. The card’s numerous luxury travel perks make up for the annual fee several times over. However, if this is outside your budget, you might prefer another United credit card or even a general travel rewards credit card instead.
Intro Purchase APR
N/A
Regular Purchase APR
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Intro BT APR
N/A
Regular BT APR
21.99% - 28.99% 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.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers a generous sign-up bonus:
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 annual fee.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers a strong earning rate with useful spending categories:
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.
While sign-up bonuses are a great way to boost your rewards balance, credit card spending is essential to keep it growing. Many airline credit card cards have limited spending categories 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.
United miles are fairly easy to redeem and you’ll find a large number of options through United or one of its Star Alliance partners. United uses dynamic pricing — meaning the cost of award flights is based on demand and fluctuates rather than being based on a fixed chart — so it’s difficult to tell up front how many miles you’ll need for an upcoming trip. However, you can find great values for your miles (especially if you are flexible enough to book a Saver award), with award flights starting at around 5,000 miles.
| Point value | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 cents | Part of Star Alliance Miles never expire Large portfolio of transfer partners Numerous global destinations Excellent award availability | Hard to tell how many miles you'll need for a flight Low points value compared to other programs MileagePlus program is moderately complex |
You can redeem United miles for a wide variety of options, including:
However, you’ll get the most value from your miles when you redeem them for award travel. United is part of the Star Alliance, meaning you can use your United miles to book flights with any of their partnering airlines.
The Star Alliance partners include the following:
Sitting at an airport gate can be an inconvenient part of traveling, especially if you would like a quiet space to relax or be productive before your flight. With the United Club℠ Infinite Card, you will have access to all United Club lounges and participating Star Alliance lounges around the globe.
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.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card comes with a variety of terrific travel perks:
These services can save you time, energy and stress when at the airport, allowing you to breeze through security and customs when reentering the U.S.
This benefit alone can save you hundreds of dollars on a round-trip flight for you and a companion. If you regularly fly with United, this is an essential perk.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card does not 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, which can add up quickly over the course of a vacation.
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 points towards free nights with IHG. Plus, you’ll receive up to $75 in statement credits for IHG purchases charged to your card between Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022.
United Club℠ Infinite Card Cardholders can enjoy easy access through the airport with priority check-in and security screening where available, as well as boarding and baggage handling privileges. This can be extremely valuable for those looking to navigate airport procedures with ease and speed.
Cardholders will have access to the Avis President’s Club, which offers complimentary two-car class upgrades, expedited rental car service, guaranteed car availability and much more. Note that cardholders must enroll in Avis President’s Club to receive this benefit.
United Club℠ Infinite Card cardmembers will receive complimentary benefits at over 1,000 luxury properties when you make a reservation through your card. Benefits include daily breakfast for two, complimentary Wi-Fi, room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available and more.
The primary cardholder and one companion on the same reservation will have access to Complimentary Premier Upgrades on select United and United Express flights, subject to availability. This is a fantastic way to elevate your flight experience simply by owning this card.
Cardholders can purchase private, specially curated experiences. These events could include exclusive culinary events at the world’s best restaurants, meeting sporting legends and more.
United Club℠ Infinite Card cardholders will have access to 24/7 assistance for items such as travel planning, restaurant reservations, sports tickets and more, available year round from home or abroad.
While the United Club℠ Infinite Card can be an excellent choice for some, the annual fee and co-branded nature of the card may be a deterrent for others. We’ve reviewed a few comparable options for other top travel rewards credit cards worth considering.
| 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. | Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. | $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 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 the better option. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns miles that you can transfer to United and other loyalty programs 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 earn 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 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. While United is not in this list of partners, a few of the airlines on the list belong to Star Alliance. 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. It 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 such as United Club access, comprehensive travel insurance and lucrative spending categories, the United Club℠ Infinite Card is a great card for those looking to earn United miles and enjoy luxurious benefits. However, it does come with a high $525 annual fee, which can be a deterrent for some consumers.
If you’d rather choose a non-co-branded travel rewards card or a credit card with no annual fee, there are plenty of excellent options to pick from as well.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card has a $525 annual fee.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card requires Excellent credit for approval. You’ll want to check your score ahead of time to make sure you’re within the appropriate range to increase your chances of acceptance.
Yes, the United Club℠ Infinite Card includes up to $100 in statement credits for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit every four years.
If you regularly fly with United and think you could take advantage of airport lounge access several times per year, it can definitely be worth it to join United Club. These clubs offer complimentary Wi-Fi, food and beverages and more. With the United Club℠ Infinite Card, you will automatically have access to all United Clubs for free.
