If you’re a business owner who frequently flies with United Airlines and wants to enjoy premium travel benefits, the United ClubSM Business Card could be a great addition to your wallet. This card offers valuable rewards on your business expenses and provides access to exclusive travel perks, including United ClubSM membership. This review will cover everything you need about the United ClubSM Business Card, including its features, benefits, pros, cons, and whether you should apply.
What is the United ClubSM Business Card?
The United ClubSM Business Card is a business credit card offering rewards and benefits for United Airlines travelers. It helps you earn United MileagePlus miles on your everyday business purchases, which you can use for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses. This card is ideal for business owners who frequently travel with United Airlines and want to maximize their rewards while enjoying exclusive travel perks.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 premier qualifying points (PQP)
APR: 21.99%–28.99% variable APR.
Annual Fee: $450
Pros and Cons of the United ClubSM Business Card
Pros
- Generous Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP).
- High Earning Rates: Accumulate miles quickly on business-related purchases in key categories.
- United ClubSM Membership: Enjoy access to United ClubSM lounges with complimentary beverages, snacks, and other amenities.
- Valuable United Travel Benefits: Enjoy free checked bags, priority boarding, and travel credits.
- Travel and Purchase Protections: Benefit from travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Avoid extra charges on purchases made outside the U.S.
- No Additional Cost for Employee Cards
Cons
- High Annual Fee: The annual Fee is $450. However, the benefits and rewards can often outweigh this cost.
- Limited to United Airlines: The travel benefits are primarily valuable for those who frequently fly with United Airlines. You might get less value from other airlines from this card if you prefer other airlines.
- Spending Requirement for Welcome Offer: Some small businesses may have a high initial spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus.
Key Features of the United ClubSM Business Card
Generous Welcome Offer
One of the main attractions of the United ClubSM Business Card is its generous welcome offer. Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. This welcome bonus can give you a great head start on earning miles for your next trip.
High Earning Rates on Business Categories
The card offers impressive earning rates on purchases in key business categories, such as:
- United Flights and Purchases: Earn 7 miles per dollar spent on United flights. Earn 5 miles per dollar spent on fares from Unites as a MileagePlus member, and Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on tickets purchased from United Airlines. Earn up to 1,000 Premier qualifying points – You’ll earn 25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases with your Club Business Card (up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year) that can be applied towards your Premier status qualification, up to and including the Premier 1K® level.
- Dining: Earn 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, including eligible delivery services. 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your United ClubSM Business Card
- Gas Stations: Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at gas stations.
- Office Supply Stores: Earn 2 miles per dollar spent at office supply stores.
- All Other Purchases: Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
These earning rates can help you rack up miles quickly, especially if your business has significant expenses in these categories.
United ClubSM Membership Up To a $650 Value per Year
One of the standout features of the United ClubSM Business Card is the included United Club membership. With this membership, you can access United Club lounges, which offer a comfortable place to relax before your flight. Enjoy complimentary beverages, snacks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities, making your travel experience more enjoyable.
United Travel Benefits
The United ClubSM Business Card offers several valuable travel benefits for United Airlines travelers:
- Free Checked Bags: On United flights, your first and second checked bags are free for you and one companion on the same reservation. This can save you up to $320 per round trip.
- Priority Boarding: Enjoy priority boarding on United flights, allowing you to settle in your seat and find overhead bin space more efficiently.
- Travel Credits: Earn travel credits for various travel expenses, such as seat upgrades and in-flight purchases.
Travel and Purchase Protections
The United ClubSM Business Card provides a range of travel and purchase protections, including:
- Travel Insurance: Coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and delays, as well as baggage delay insurance.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Use your card to pay for your car rental, and you can decline the rental company’s collision insurance and be covered for theft and collision damage.
- Purchase Protection: This policy covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended Warranty: Extends the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty period by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
The United ClubSM Business Card offers a significant advantage: no foreign transaction fees for businesses that conduct international transactions or travel frequently. This means you won’t be charged extra fees when purchasing abroad, helping you save on international expenses.
Is the United ClubSM Business Card Right for Your Business?
The United ClubSM Business Card is a strong contender for business owners who frequently travel with United Airlines and want to enjoy premium travel benefits. However, whether it’s the right card for your business depends on your needs and spending habits.
Consider the United ClubSM Business Card if:
- You Frequently Fly with United Airlines: The card’s travel benefits, such as United ClubSM access, free checked bags, and priority boarding, are particularly valuable for United travelers.
- You Spend a Lot in Key Business Categories: If your business has significant expenses in categories like dining, gas stations, and office supplies, you can earn miles quickly.
- You Value Travel and Purchase Protections: The card’s travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty benefits can provide peace of mind.
- You Don’t Want Foreign Transaction Fees: Avoid extra charges on purchases made outside the U.S.
Look for Other Options if:
- You Prefer Other Airlines: If you don’t frequently fly with United Airlines, you might not get as much value from this card’s travel benefits.
- You Want a No-Fee Card: If you’re uncomfortable paying an annual fee, you might want to consider a card with no annual fee, although it may offer fewer benefits.
- Your Spending Doesn’t Align with the Card’s Categories: If your spending doesn’t fall into the high-earning categories, you might not get as much value from the card.
Final Thoughts
The United ClubSM Business Card is an excellent choice for business owners who frequently travel with United Airlines and want to maximize their rewards while enjoying premium travel benefits. With its generous welcome offer, high earning rates on business categories, United Club membership, valuable United travel benefits, and no foreign transaction fees, this card can be a powerful tool for managing your business expenses and enhancing your travel experience.
Consider your business’s spending patterns, travel preferences, and expense management needs to determine if the United ClubSM Business Card fits you. With the right strategy, this card can help you earn miles, save on travel expenses, and enjoy premium services that support your business’s growth and success in 2024 and beyond.
