United ClubSM Business Card Review
Tricia has nearly two decades of experience in commercial and federal government lending. Her expertise is highlighted throughout small business loan content on Fit Small Business.
Nancy Fernandez is a Credit Card and Insurance Expert at Fit Small Business, specializing in business credit cards and business insurance.
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
The United ClubSM Business Card is an excellent travel card designed for business owners who primarily fly with United Airlines. This small business credit card offers travel rewards that can be redeemed for free flights with United and its partner airlines. The $450 annual fee includes a United Club membership, valued at $650 per year.
United Club℠ 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.
BEST FOR:
United Airlines enthusiasts who use airport lounge access regularly
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.74% - 23.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$450
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Earn 100,000 bonus miles
- United ClubSM membership
- Two Premier Access® travel services
- First and second checked bag free
- Earn double miles on tickets purchased from United
- Earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
Pros
- Free United Club membership
- Free first and second checked bags
Cons
- High annual fee
- Low ongoing rewards
- United Club Passes: Get free access to United Club locations for you and your travel companions
- Free checked bags: Receive two free checked bags for you and companion on the same reservation
- Premier Access: You’ll get expedited airport security screening line, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling for you and your companions on the same reservation
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards elite status: Get access to join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle for exclusive perks and discounts.
- Trip insurance: Get reimbursed when your trip is canceled, up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. You’ll also be covered if your trip is delayed up to 12 hours for an eligible reason.
- Baggage delay insurance: Your luggage is covered if it’s delayed or misdirected for more than six hours, up to $100 per day.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: You’re covered for any lost or damaged luggage during your travel with United Airlines and partner airlines, up to $3,000 per person.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You’re covered for a damaged or stolen rental vehicle, when you waive the car rental dealer’s insurance and the entire rental purchase is placed on the card
- Purchase protection: You’ll receive repair, a replacement, or reimbursement for items that were damaged or stolen with 120 of purchase, up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per year
- Extended warranty protection: You’ll be covered for an additional one year of warranty protection with manufacturer’s warranties three years and under, limited to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per year.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.74% - 23.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$450
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Earn 100,000 bonus miles
- United ClubSM membership
- Two Premier Access® travel services
- First and second checked bag free
- Earn double miles on tickets purchased from United
- Earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
Pros
- Free United Club membership
- Free first and second checked bags
Cons
- High annual fee
- Low ongoing rewards
- United Club Passes: Get free access to United Club locations for you and your travel companions
- Free checked bags: Receive two free checked bags for you and companion on the same reservation
- Premier Access: You’ll get expedited airport security screening line, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling for you and your companions on the same reservation
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards elite status: Get access to join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle for exclusive perks and discounts.
- Trip insurance: Get reimbursed when your trip is canceled, up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. You’ll also be covered if your trip is delayed up to 12 hours for an eligible reason.
- Baggage delay insurance: Your luggage is covered if it’s delayed or misdirected for more than six hours, up to $100 per day.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: You’re covered for any lost or damaged luggage during your travel with United Airlines and partner airlines, up to $3,000 per person.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You’re covered for a damaged or stolen rental vehicle, when you waive the car rental dealer’s insurance and the entire rental purchase is placed on the card
- Purchase protection: You’ll receive repair, a replacement, or reimbursement for items that were damaged or stolen with 120 of purchase, up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per year
- Extended warranty protection: You’ll be covered for an additional one year of warranty protection with manufacturer’s warranties three years and under, limited to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per year.
Do you want to compare the features of one card to another? We’ve made it easy for you to do that—check off up to three cards on this page to add them to your cart. This will allow you to view the details in a side-by-side comparison.
Who Is United ClubSM Business Card Best For
- Business owners who are frequent United Airlines flyers: The United ClubSM Business Card includes a United Club membership and offers travel rewards that can be redeemed for a free flight with United Airlines and its affiliates.
- Business owners who frequently check bags: The United ClubSM Business Card is also ideal for owners who regularly check bags on United flights because it allows you and one traveling companion to check two bags each for free each way.
- Business owners who want airport lounge access: This business credit card can give you free access to more than 50 airport lounges with high-speed internet, complimentary beverages, and more.
How We Evaluate Travel Rewards Business Credit Cards
When grading travel rewards business credit cards like the United ClubSM Business Card, we weigh ongoing rewards, introductory rewards, and additional features heaviest. We also consider the card’s annual fee, introductory annual percentage rates (APRs), and ongoing APRs.
Grading Criteria | Card Score | Highest Possible Score |
|---|---|---|
Ongoing Rewards | 18 | 25 |
Introductory Rewards | 15 | 25 |
Additional Features | 25 | 25 |
Annual Fee | 10 | 15 |
Introductory APR | 0 | 5 |
Ongoing APR | 2 | 5 |
Total Score | 70 | 100 |
United ClubSM Business Card Fees
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 16.49% to 23.49% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Annual fee: $450
- 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
- Late and return payment fees: $40
United ClubSM Business Card Rewards
- 2x miles on United purchases
- 1.5x miles on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening
You can also get employee cards at no additional cost. Miles earned from using employee cards accrue in your account, allowing you to earn rewards faster.
United ClubSM Business Card Additional Features
United ClubSM Membership
You and other eligible travel companions will receive free access to more than 45 United Club locations, five United Polaris® lounges and partner lounges, as well as participating Star AllianceTM affiliated lounges worldwide, when using the United ClubSM Business Card. To check for eligibility, make sure to review entry requirements before finalizing your trip.
Membership rates are based on the prospective member’s current MileagePlus status level.
- General Member: $650 or 85,000 miles
- Premier® Silver: $650 or 85,000 miles
- Premier Gold: $650 or 85,000 miles
- Premier Platinum: $600 or 80,000 miles
- Premier 1K®: $550 or 75,000 miles
Two Free Checked Bags
If you pay for the trip using your United ClubSM Business Card, you and one other traveling companion on the same reservation will receive your first and second standard checked bags for free―up to a $35 value for the first checked bag and up to a $45 value for the second checked bag per person―when flying on United-operated flights. Savings received from this feature can be up to $320 per round trip.
Premier Access® Travel Services
You and your companions traveling on the same reservation are eligible for Premier Access®. To take advantage of this feature, your MileagePlus® number must be included in your reservation. Travel services made available to cardholders include designated check-in lines, priority security lanes, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling.
Premier Access® is only available on flights operated by United and United Express.
Baggage Delay Insurance
If there is a baggage delay of more than six hours, you can be reimbursed for essential purchases, such as toiletries and clothing up to $100 a day for three days.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement
You and your immediate family member are covered up to $3,000 if you check or carryon luggage that’s damaged or lost by the carrier.
Trip Delay Reimbursement
If your flight is either delayed for more than 12 hours or may require an overnight stay, you and your family members are covered for unreimbursed expenses made with your United ClubSM Business Card worth up to $500 per ticket.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
If your trip is either canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses made with your United ClubSM Business Card, including passenger fares, tours, and hotels.
Emergency Evacuation and Transportation
If you or a member of your immediate family are injured or become sick during a trip and require an emergency evacuation, you can be covered by medical services and transportation with your United ClubSM Business Card.
Travel Accident Insurance
You’re eligible to receive accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $500,000 when you use your United ClubSM Business Card for your air, bus, train, or cruise transportation.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
You can call the Benefit Administrator for legal and medical referrals or other travel and emergency assistance when you run into a problem away from home. It should be noted that you’ll be responsible for the cost of any goods or services obtained.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
You can decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your United ClubSM Business Card. Coverage is considered primary when renting for business purposes and provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in both the US and abroad.
Purchase Protection
Aside from extended warranty protection, which extends the time period of the United States manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year, you can also get purchase protection for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Finally, you can be reimbursed for certain items purchased with your United ClubSM Business Card within 90 days of purchase if the store won’t take them back, up to $500 per item and up to $1,000 per year.
Pros & Cons of the United ClubSM Business Card
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| MileagePlus miles do not expire: United MileagePlus miles do not have an expiry date, making redeeming rewards easier. | Has annual fees: The United ClubSM Business Card charges annual membership fees of $450. |
| High rewards rate: Using the United ClubSM Business Card, you can earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on United purchases, and 1.5 miles for all other purchases. | 2x miles are only applicable to those who fly with United Airlines: If you use the United ClubSM Business Card to book a flight on another airline, you will not be able to receive 2x miles rewards. |
United ClubSM Business Card Alternatives
Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business
The Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business card is an alternative for business owners who frequently travel and book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel. You’ll earn 5x unlimited reward miles and unlimited 2x miles on any business purchase. You can also earn up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, get two free visits each year to a Capital One airport lounge, and pay no foreign transaction fees.
Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business
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:
Unlimited 2x miles with every swipe
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
21.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Credit Needed
Excellent, Good
- Introductory reward worth $500 in travel after you spend $4,500 within the first three months
- 2x miles per $1 spent
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry application fee credit
Cons
- You’ll pay an annual fee after the first year
- Doesn’t offer interest-free financing
- Airport security screening reimbursement: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or an $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every four years.
- Purchase assurance: Most purchases made entirely with your card are covered if damaged or stolen within 90 days from the date of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder account per 12 month period.
- Extended warranty coverage: Doubles the original warranty time period and duplicates the coverage of the original manufacturer’s warranty up to a maximum of 12 months on most items you purchase.
- Travel medical emergency assistance: Provide referrals to medical services if you have a medical emergency while traveling. You’re covered if you’re 100 or more miles away from home and from the day you leave until midnight of the 60th day of your trip, or the day you return to your city of residence, whichever is sooner.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
21.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Credit Needed
Excellent, Good
- Introductory reward worth $500 in travel after you spend $4,500 within the first three months
- 2x miles per $1 spent
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry application fee credit
Cons
- You’ll pay an annual fee after the first year
- Doesn’t offer interest-free financing
- Airport security screening reimbursement: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or an $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every four years.
- Purchase assurance: Most purchases made entirely with your card are covered if damaged or stolen within 90 days from the date of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder account per 12 month period.
- Extended warranty coverage: Doubles the original warranty time period and duplicates the coverage of the original manufacturer’s warranty up to a maximum of 12 months on most items you purchase.
- Travel medical emergency assistance: Provide referrals to medical services if you have a medical emergency while traveling. You’re covered if you’re 100 or more miles away from home and from the day you leave until midnight of the 60th day of your trip, or the day you return to your city of residence, whichever is sooner.
American Express® Business Gold Card
The American Express® Business Gold is another alternative card to consider as it offers 4x Membership Rewards® per $1 on two categories out of six where your business spends the most: airfare, advertising―online, radio, or TV―computer hardware, computer software, cloud systems, gas stations, restaurants, and shipping. You can also get 1 point per $1 on all other business purchases.
American Express® Business Gold 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 rewards in the two categories where you spend the most
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
14.99% - 22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$295
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- MORE REWARDS: Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month. 1X is earned for other purchases. **
- **4X points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.*
- AIRLINE BONUS: Get 25% points back after you use points for all or part of an eligible flight booked with Amex Travel, up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.*
- PAY OVER TIME OPTION: Decide whether you want to pay eligible purchases in full each month—or pay over time with interest.*
- *Terms Apply
Pros
- Earn 4x points in two categories every month
- Pay eligible charges over time with interest, or pay your balance in full monthly
Cons
- You’ll pay a high annual fee of $295
- No interest-free financing opportunities
- Premium roadside assistance: Free of charge up to four times a year. You can receive towing up to 10 miles, winching, jump starts, flat tire change, lockout service when the key is in the vehicle, and delivery of up to two gallons of gas
- Return protection: American Express will refund you for eligible purchases when the store doesn’t accept returns of undamaged items. Coverage is limited to 90 days from purchase, up to $300 per item, and up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.
- Baggage insurance: If your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, you’re eligible for coverage of up to $1,250 for carry-on luggage and $500 for checked bags
- Extended warranty: Receive one additional year of coverage on purchases with eligible warranties of five years or less
- Purchase protection: Covers new purchases against damage or theft within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per incident.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
14.99% - 22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$295
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- MORE REWARDS: Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month. 1X is earned for other purchases. **
- **4X points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.*
- AIRLINE BONUS: Get 25% points back after you use points for all or part of an eligible flight booked with Amex Travel, up to 250,000 points back per calendar year.*
- PAY OVER TIME OPTION: Decide whether you want to pay eligible purchases in full each month—or pay over time with interest.*
- *Terms Apply
Pros
- Earn 4x points in two categories every month
- Pay eligible charges over time with interest, or pay your balance in full monthly
Cons
- You’ll pay a high annual fee of $295
- No interest-free financing opportunities
- Premium roadside assistance: Free of charge up to four times a year. You can receive towing up to 10 miles, winching, jump starts, flat tire change, lockout service when the key is in the vehicle, and delivery of up to two gallons of gas
- Return protection: American Express will refund you for eligible purchases when the store doesn’t accept returns of undamaged items. Coverage is limited to 90 days from purchase, up to $300 per item, and up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.
- Baggage insurance: If your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, you’re eligible for coverage of up to $1,250 for carry-on luggage and $500 for checked bags
- Extended warranty: Receive one additional year of coverage on purchases with eligible warranties of five years or less
- Purchase protection: Covers new purchases against damage or theft within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per incident.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® is another card that business owners who travel frequently should consider. It doesn’t charge any annual fee, and cardholders can earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent on any business purchase and 3x points for every $1 when you book travel through the Bank of America®
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® 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:
Earning top rewards on travel purchases booked through Bank of America
Intro APR
0%
9 billing cycles
9 billing cycles
Regular APR
12.49% - 22.49% Variable APR on purchases
Annual Fee
$0.00
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Earn 30,000 bonus points when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening, which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time―no matter how much you spend. Points don't expire.
- Earn 3 points per every dollar spent on travel purchases like car, hotel, and airline booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- No annual fee and no international transaction fees.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first nine billing cycles.
- Redeem points for travel with no blackout dates, cash back or gift cards.
- Get 75% more points on the base earn of every purchase you make when you’re a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier member. That means you will earn 2.62 points for every $1 you spend and 4.12 points per every $1 you spend at the Bank of America® Travel Center.
Pros
- No annual fee: By not having to pay an annual fee, you can reduce your overall credit card cost while earning unlimited rewards on your expenses.
- No blackout dates on travel: You can redeem your points for travel or travel credits through the Bank of America® Travel Center anytime, with no blackout dates.
- 3x points on travel: You can earn 3x points for every dollar spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, or airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- Welcome bonus points: If you can spend $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of opening an account, you will earn 30,000 bonus points.
Cons
- Low ongoing rewards on nontravel: While you can earn high rewards points on travel, you can only earn 1.5x points on all other purchases.
- Short 0% APR introductory period: The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® offers 0% APR for the first nine billing cycles from opening an account—this is a disadvantage if you need a longer 0% APR period.
- No 0% APR on balance transfers: The introductory 0% APR only applies to purchases—if you need to transfer a balance from another credit card, you’ll need to pay an APR ranging from 12.24% to 22.24%.
- Bank of America doesn’t disclose details of its additional card features. To find out more about these additional features, review your guide to benefits when you receive your card in the mail.
Intro APR
0%
9 billing cycles
9 billing cycles
Regular APR
12.49% - 22.49% Variable APR on purchases
Annual Fee
$0.00
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Earn 30,000 bonus points when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening, which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time―no matter how much you spend. Points don't expire.
- Earn 3 points per every dollar spent on travel purchases like car, hotel, and airline booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- No annual fee and no international transaction fees.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first nine billing cycles.
- Redeem points for travel with no blackout dates, cash back or gift cards.
- Get 75% more points on the base earn of every purchase you make when you’re a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier member. That means you will earn 2.62 points for every $1 you spend and 4.12 points per every $1 you spend at the Bank of America® Travel Center.
Pros
- No annual fee: By not having to pay an annual fee, you can reduce your overall credit card cost while earning unlimited rewards on your expenses.
- No blackout dates on travel: You can redeem your points for travel or travel credits through the Bank of America® Travel Center anytime, with no blackout dates.
- 3x points on travel: You can earn 3x points for every dollar spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, or airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- Welcome bonus points: If you can spend $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of opening an account, you will earn 30,000 bonus points.
Cons
- Low ongoing rewards on nontravel: While you can earn high rewards points on travel, you can only earn 1.5x points on all other purchases.
- Short 0% APR introductory period: The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® offers 0% APR for the first nine billing cycles from opening an account—this is a disadvantage if you need a longer 0% APR period.
- No 0% APR on balance transfers: The introductory 0% APR only applies to purchases—if you need to transfer a balance from another credit card, you’ll need to pay an APR ranging from 12.24% to 22.24%.
- Bank of America doesn’t disclose details of its additional card features. To find out more about these additional features, review your guide to benefits when you receive your card in the mail.
Bottom Line
The United ClubSM Business Card is an ideal travel card for business owners who often fly with United Airlines and want to use the United Club lounges. It offers several travel perks, including free checked bags and Premier Access® travel services. If this card isn’t what you’re looking for, check out our Business Credit Card Marketplace to find a better option.
