United Business Card review: Great benefits for United enthusiasts
Overview of the United Business Card
The United℠ Business Card offers numerous advantages for an annual fee under $100. From a complimentary first checked bag on United Airlines flights to two one-time United Club passes each year and solid travel protections, this card delivers significant value to small business owners who fly with United, even if it's just a few times a year. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
* Card rating reflects the views of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
If you operate a small business and occasionally fly with United, you might consider applying for the United Business Card. This card features a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, followed by a $99 fee, but its extensive benefits can often outweigh the cost year after year.
The United Business card allows you to earn United MileagePlus miles and offers benefits tailored specifically for United Airlines. To maximize your chances of approval, aim for a credit score of 670 or above.
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Here are all the key benefits of the United Business card you should consider to determine if it suits your needs.
Pros and cons of the United Business Card
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United Business Card introductory offer
The United Business card is currently offering a bonus of 75,000 miles after you spend $5,000 within the first three months of account opening.
According to TPG's August 2024 valuations, United miles are valued at 1.35 cents each, making this bonus worth approximately $1,013. This is the standard welcome offer we've observed.
DinogoYou are not eligible for the sign-up bonus if you currently hold the United Business card or if you have received a new cardmember bonus for it within the past 24 months.
However, Chase views the United Business card as a separate product from both the United Club℠ Business Card and the now discontinued United Explorer Business Card. Thus, if you have or previously held either of these cards, you can still qualify for the sign-up bonus with the United Business card.
The United Business card is likely subject to Chase's unpublished 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more credit card accounts in the past 24 months, your application might be denied. However, since this is a business card, it won’t count toward your 5/24 limit.
The details for the United Club Business and United Explorer Business have been gathered independently by Dinogo. The information presented on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.
Benefits of the United Business Card
The United Business card is ideal for small business owners seeking benefits from United Airlines, especially if they do not hold United or Star Alliance elite status.
ZACH HONIG/DinogoThe primary cardholder and one companion on the same reservation will enjoy their first standard checked bag free on United-operated flights.
Additionally, the primary cardholder and companions on the same reservation will be allowed to board United-operated flights ahead of general boarding when the primary cardholder provides their United MileagePlus number.
You will also receive two one-time United Club passes each year, which can be useful even if you lack other cards that offer lounge access.
You will also benefit from the following additional perks:
- Annual United travel credit: Receive a $100 travel statement credit after making seven eligible United flight purchases of $100 or more with the United Business card during your account anniversary year.
- Statement credit on United inflight purchases: Get 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights when using your United Business card.
- "Better together" bonus: Earn 5,000 bonus miles each year on your United Business card anniversary when you hold both the United Business card and a personal Chase United credit card.
- Employee cards: Obtain employee cards at no extra cost and set individual spending limits for each card.
- Expanded award availability: The primary cardholder may access expanded award availability when booking United-operated flights using miles.
- Earn Premier qualifying points: Accumulate 25 Premier qualifying points (PQPs) for every $500 spent on the card, up to 1,000 PQPs in a calendar year, applicable toward Premier 1K elite status.
- Travel protections: Benefits include trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, auto rental collision damage waiver, and travel accident insurance.
- Shopping protections: Enjoy purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Business owners who frequently fly with United will find that the benefits easily justify the $99 annual fee after the first year.
Earning miles with the United Business Card
The United Business card allows you to earn 2 United miles for every dollar spent on the following purchases:
- Purchases made with United, including tickets, seat upgrades, Economy Plus, inflight food and beverages, inflight Wi-Fi, baggage service fees, and other related charges
- Local transit and commuting expenses
- Gas stations
- Office supply retailers
- Restaurants (including eligible delivery services)
Based on TPG's August 2024 valuations of 1.35 cents per United mile, you'll achieve a 2.7% return on these purchases. Additionally, you’ll earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases, translating to a 1.35% return.
Redeeming miles with the United Business Card
You can utilize United miles to book award travel on United, as well as other Star Alliance and partner airlines.
DANIEL ROSS/DinogoIt's important to mention that United employs dynamic award pricing instead of fixed award charts. While this can make it challenging to ascertain the cost of an award until you're ready to book, dynamic pricing may result in lower-cost award flights in certain scenarios.
Award charts are still available for utilizing United miles on partner airlines — and there are some great opportunities highlighted on these charts. Former TPG contributor Sarah Hostetler mentions that if you travel from the U.S. to Paris (CDG), you can take advantage of the Excursionist Perk to secure a complimentary one-way flight to Amsterdam (AMS). Your travel plan might look like this:
- U.S. to Paris
- Paris to Amsterdam (free)
- Amsterdam to the U.S.
You'll typically gain the most value from your United miles when redeeming them for flights, but you can also use them for upgrades, purchasing inflight Wi-Fi, booking hotel stays and car rentals, or even for merchandise, gift cards, and unique experiences.
Transferring miles with the United Business Card
You can transfer your United miles to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 exchange rate.
WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGESHowever, this is not the most beneficial option, so we suggest steering clear of it unless you're looking to enhance your Marriott balance for a specific redemption. You cannot transfer more than 100,000 United miles to Marriott within a calendar year, but this shouldn't be a concern for most users.
Which cards are alternatives to the United Business Card?
If you're looking to earn United miles on your business expenses, the United Business card faces some notable competitors.
- If you prefer a lower annual fee: The personal United℠ Explorer Card has a slightly lower annual fee of $95 starting in the second year ($0 for the first year), along with a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees every four years, plus different bonus categories earning 2 miles per dollar. For more details, check out our comprehensive review of the United Explorer Card.
- If you want additional benefits: The United Club Business Card has a significantly higher annual fee of $450 but offers enhanced United-related benefits, including a United Club membership for the primary cardholder and an extra free checked bag on United flights. Learn more in our comparison of the United Business Card and the United Club Business card.
- If you're seeking broader rewards: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card allows you to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points on various business expenses. You can transfer your points to 14 airline and hotel partners, including United MileagePlus, or redeem them directly for travel at 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel℠. To discover more, read our detailed review of the Ink Business Preferred.
For more choices, take a look at our compilation of the top business credit cards.
Is the United Business Card a good investment?
The United Business card comes with a range of United Airlines benefits, making it easy for many small business owners, freelancers, and side hustlers to justify its $99 annual fee after the first year. However, infrequent United flyers might find better value in a more general business credit card.
Conclusion
The United Business card offers substantial travel protections along with generous benefits, and if you make at least seven purchases of $100 or more with United each year using your card, you’ll receive a $100 statement credit.
Additional benefits like priority boarding and receiving 25% back on inflight purchases can accumulate significant value over time. If you can derive at least $99 worth of benefits annually from the card’s offerings, it might be worthwhile to enroll in the United Business card.
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Evaluation :
5/5