UnitedSM Business Card Review for 2022
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This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
The UnitedSM Business Card is designed for business owners who fly frequently on United airlines. This small business credit card charges a low annual fee of $99 and zero foreign transaction fees. It offers travel rewards that can be redeemed for free flights, as well as travel perks like free checked bags, United Club passes, and priority boarding.
BEST FOR:
Frequent United Airlines flyers who want to earn travel rewards
United℠ Business Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.74% - 23.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$99
Credit Needed
Pros
Cons
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.74% - 23.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$99
Credit Needed
Pros
Cons
You can compare the features of one card to another by simply checking off this card and up to two more alternatives (see UnitedSM Business Card Alternatives). This allows you to view the details of each card in a side-by-side comparison.
How We Evaluate Travel Rewards Business Credit Cards
When grading business travel credit cards like the UnitedSM Business Card, we first consider the ongoing rewards, introductory rewards, and additional features. We also take into account the annual fee, introductory no-interest period, and ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs).
| Grading Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
Ongoing Rewards | ||
Introductory Rewards | ||
Additional Features | ||
Annual Fee | ||
Introductory APR | ||
Ongoing APR | ||
| Total Score |
Who the UnitedSM Business Card Is Best For
- Business owners who fly frequently on United Airlines: The UnitedSM Business Card offers rewards that can be used for free flights with United Airlines and its partners.
- Business owners who check a bag when traveling: This card allows one free checked bag each for the cardholder and a traveling companion when flying on United Airlines.
UnitedSM Business Card Fees
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 16.74% to 23.74% variable—adjusts with the prime rate
- Annual fee: $99
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Cash advance fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater—APR is 25.24%
UnitedSM Business Card Rewards
- Earn 75,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening an account.
- 2 miles on purchases made directly with United Airlines, including tickets, Economy Plus®, in-flight food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and other United charges.
- 2 miles for every dollar spent on dining, eligible delivery services, gas, office supplies, and on local transit and commuting.
- 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
- 5,000 anniversary bonus miles when you have the UnitedSM Business Card and a personal United credit card.
You can redeem your miles by booking travel on United flights or United partner airlines. You’ll be responsible for paying all taxes and fees levied by the government on plane tickets. While there are no blackout dates, there are no guarantee award seats will be available for every flight. You can also use your miles for hotel stays, car rentals, merchandise, and e-gift cards. You can also receive a statement credit for United ticket purchases and your annual card membership fee.
UnitedSM Business Card Additional Features
United Club Passes
With the UnitedSM Business Card, you can earn two one-time passes to the airline’s lounges after opening an account and on each account anniversary. This pass offers complimentary beverages, snacks, and free Wi-Fi while you wait for your departure, which is more than a $100 value per year.
First Free Checked Bag
The UnitedSM Business Card allows you and one companion traveling on the same reservation to check one bag for free each way. Since United typically charges $35 per checked bag, this benefit is worth up to $140 per round-trip flight.
Priority Boarding
You and your companions on the same reservation will be able to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding. Priority boarding follows boarding by groups, including members of the military, families with children under two years old, and those with elite status in the airline’s frequent flyer program.
25% Back on Inflight Purchases
You’ll receive 25% back as a statement credit on United inflight purchases, including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi when you pay with your UnitedSM Business Card.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
You can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather conditions, or other covered situations.
Trip Delay Reimbursement
The trip delay reimbursement covers trips delayed for more than 12 hours or delays that require an overnight stay due to equipment failure, bad weather, labor strikes, or a hijacking. You, your spouse, and dependent children 22 years old and younger are eligible for reimbursement of expenses up to $500 per ticket. Covered expenses include meals, lodging, toiletries, and medication.
Baggage Delay Protection
If your checked baggage is delayed or misdirected by a carrier for more than six hours, you and your immediate family members are eligible for a $100 per day benefit for up to three days. The coverage is limited to purchases of essential items like clothing, toiletries, and charging cables for cellphones. Jewelry, prosthetics, tickets, money, and electronic devices aren’t covered.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement
If your checked or carry-on luggage is lost or damaged while on a flight or traveling on another covered carrier, such as a passenger train, you and your immediate family members are eligible for reimbursement of up to $3,000 each. This coverage includes a $500 maximum benefit for jewelry, watches, cameras, video recorders, and other electronic equipment. Loss of papers, money, or tickets isn’t covered.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
When you rent a car, you’re covered in case of accident or theft. Coverage is primary if the vehicle rental is for business purposes, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept the insurance offered by the rental agency. Rentals of 31 consecutive days or fewer are eligible, and you may be reimbursed for up to the cash value of the vehicle. Certain vehicles aren’t covered, such as expensive vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, vans designed to carry more than eight people, and recreational vehicles.
Purchase Protection
Purchases damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase are covered with purchase protection. Chase may repair, replace, or reimburse you for these items up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per year. Antique items, animals, living plants, motorized vehicles, computer software, consumables, jewelry, medical equipment, and preowned items are excluded from this coverage.
Extended Warranty Protection
Chase will extend the original manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on warranties of three years or less up to a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. To be eligible, you must have charged a portion of the purchase to your UnitedSM Business Card or used reward points to make the purchase. This warranty protection doesn’t cover motorized vehicles, real estate, medical equipment, computer software, used items, and leased items.
Pros & Cons of the UnitedSM Business Card
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Low annual fee: You can enjoy earning rewards with a low annual fee of $99. | No 0% introductory APR: The UnitedSM Business Card does not offer a 0% introductory APR, which means you cannot take advantage of interest-free financing if you plan to use your card for a large purchase. |
| No foreign transaction fees: You can use this card to make purchases outside of the United States without having to worry about foreign transaction fees. | Low ongoing travel rewards: This card offers 2 miles on purchases from United Airlines, which is below average compared to other co-branded airline credit cards. |
| Earn Premier Qualifying Points: You'll earn 500 Premier qualifying points (PQP) for every $12,000 spent in purchases up to a maximum of 1,000 PQP in a calendar year. | |
UnitedSM Business Card Alternatives
Chase Ink Business Preferred®
The Chase Ink Business Preferred® is an excellent option if you have significant travel expenses but don’t need travel perks like airport lounge access or free expedited airport security screening. This is also a great alternative if you have expenses on social media advertising as it offers generous rewards for online ad purchases.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Maximizing travel rewards at a lower annual fee
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.24% - 21.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Credit Needed
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Pros
- Opportunity to boost the value of reward points
- Offers cellphone protection and trip cancellation insurance
Cons
- Doesn’t offer an interest-free financing period
- Charges an annual fee
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad.
- Cellphone protection: You and the employees named on the phone bill you pay for with your card are covered for up to $600 in theft or damages per claim. You are limited to three claims per 12-month period, with a $100 deductible per claim.
- Trip cancellation and delay insurance: If your trip is canceled, you can be compensated up to $15,000 for prepaid expenses such as airfare or hotels. If your trip is delayed for 12 hours or more, you can be reimbursed up to $500 for your hotel room, meals, and transportation.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.24% - 21.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Pros
- Opportunity to boost the value of reward points
- Offers cellphone protection and trip cancellation insurance
Cons
- Doesn’t offer an interest-free financing period
- Charges an annual fee
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad.
- Cellphone protection: You and the employees named on the phone bill you pay for with your card are covered for up to $600 in theft or damages per claim. You are limited to three claims per 12-month period, with a $100 deductible per claim.
- Trip cancellation and delay insurance: If your trip is canceled, you can be compensated up to $15,000 for prepaid expenses such as airfare or hotels. If your trip is delayed for 12 hours or more, you can be reimbursed up to $500 for your hotel room, meals, and transportation.
American Express Business Platinum Card®
The American Express Business Platinum Card® is an excellent alternative if you travel frequently and want to enjoy perks like access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Consider this business credit card if you plan to make a large purchase, as it offers a 0% intro APR on eligible purchases for 12 months after opening an account.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Gaining access to unrivaled travel rewards and luxury travel perks like airport lounge access
Intro APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Regular APR
14.99% - 22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$695
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, 0% Intro APR for 12 months from the date of the account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time. After that, your APR will be 14.99% to 22.99% based on your credit worthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in value per year for statement credits on select purchases with your Card, including up to $400 with Dell Technologies, up to $360 with Indeed, up to $150 with Adobe and up to $120 on wireless telephone purchases. Enrollment required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year toward baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Premium travel rewards
- Free access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance is due in full monthly
- High annual fee
- American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than a dozen United States airports.
- Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
- Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every 4 1/2 years.
- Travel credit: Up to $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
- Rental status: Elite status at a number of car rental agencies.
- Free Wi-Fi: 10 annual free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes.
- Rebate for redeemed points: 35% points rebate if you book a business or first-class flight, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year.
- Dell statement credit: Up to $400 in statement credits annually for Dell purchases.
Intro APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Regular APR
14.99% - 22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$695
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, 0% Intro APR for 12 months from the date of the account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time. After that, your APR will be 14.99% to 22.99% based on your credit worthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in value per year for statement credits on select purchases with your Card, including up to $400 with Dell Technologies, up to $360 with Indeed, up to $150 with Adobe and up to $120 on wireless telephone purchases. Enrollment required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year toward baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Premium travel rewards
- Free access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance is due in full monthly
- High annual fee
- American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than a dozen United States airports.
- Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
- Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every 4 1/2 years.
- Travel credit: Up to $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
- Rental status: Elite status at a number of car rental agencies.
- Free Wi-Fi: 10 annual free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes.
- Rebate for redeemed points: 35% points rebate if you book a business or first-class flight, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year.
- Dell statement credit: Up to $400 in statement credits annually for Dell purchases.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card from Chase is a good option if you travel primarily with Southwest Airlines. You can earn rewards for purchases made directly with Southwest Airlines that can be redeemed for free flights as well as enjoy travel perks such as free checked bags.
BEST FOR:
Receiving rewards on Southwest purchases
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.24% - 23.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$99
Credit Needed
Pros
Cons
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.24% - 23.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$99
Credit Needed
Pros
Cons
For other Chase credit card alternatives, check our guide to the best Chase business credit cards.
Bottom Line
The UnitedSM Business Card is best for business owners who primarily fly with United Airlines and want to earn rewards for free flights. This card is also a great option for travelers who usually check a bag and travel with a companion. If this isn’t the right card for you, visit our Credit Card Marketplace and our guide to the best small business credit cards to find a more suitable option.
