Amex Business Gold vs United Club Infinite: Which Is Better In 2026?

United Club Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a look at what makes the United Club℠ Card a standout choice for United loyalists.

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• It offers complimentary access to a global network of airport lounges for a more comfortable travel experience.
• Cardholders and a companion receive a free checked bag allowance on United flights, which can lead to substantial savings.
• The card streamlines the airport journey with priority services like expedited check-in, security, and boarding.

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Pros

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• Card spending helps you earn qualifying points toward MileagePlus Premier status.
• A comprehensive suite of travel and purchase protections offers peace of mind on the road.
• Includes complimentary Avis President's Club status for an upgraded car rental experience.

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Cons

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• A substantial annual fee requires frequent travel to offset the cost.
• Card benefits are heavily skewed toward United flyers, limiting its value for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline.
• The rewards-earning potential is less competitive on everyday spending compared to other premium cards.

United Club vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Amex Business Gold or United Club Infinite, comes down to your primary spending habits and travel preferences. Each card excels in a different arena, catering to distinct types of users.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is best for business owners with varied expenses across multiple categories. It's designed for those who want to maximize rewards on their business spending without being locked into fixed categories.
• United Club℠ Infinite Card: Tailored for frequent United Airlines flyers, this card is ideal for travelers seeking premium benefits and enhanced comfort. It's built for those who are loyal to United and its airline partners.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: Points earned with this card offer significant flexibility, allowing redemption for travel through various airline and hotel partners, as well as for statement credits and other business-related expenses.

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United Club℠ Infinite Card: Rewards are centered on the United Airlines ecosystem, with miles being most valuable when redeemed for flights on United and its Star Alliance partners.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you find the best card for your spending habits by comparing nearly 3,000 credit cards.

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• Simulate your potential earnings with any card using the 'Test Drive' feature, which analyzes your real spending data to project rewards without a hard credit pull.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring you get the best deal available.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your card's points when shopping at participating stores with Kudos Boost.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is designed for established businesses with annual spending of $50,000 or more and variable expenses. It particularly suits companies whose costs shift month-to-month across categories like U.S. advertising, shipping, gas, restaurants, or technology providers. Ultimately, the card is most beneficial for owners who can maximize the flexible rewards structure, which automatically applies 4X points to their top two spending categories each billing cycle. Terms Apply.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Card is tailor-made for the dedicated United Airlines loyalist who travels frequently. This user, often a business or international traveler, prioritizes premium perks like airport lounge access, free checked bags, and priority services to enhance their travel experience. They are willing to invest in the card's significant annual fee to maximize their comfort and accelerate their progress toward MileagePlus Premier status.

Alternatives to Consider

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After comparing the American Express® Business Gold Card vs. the United Club℠ Infinite Card, you might find that neither option perfectly aligns with your spending habits or travel goals. Fortunately, the credit card market is full of strong alternatives worth exploring.

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[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review your spending habits - Ensure the card’s bonus categories and benefits align with your typical purchases.
• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of any application restrictions, as some issuers limit eligibility for new cardmember offers.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Apply before a planned large purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Consider business cards - You may be eligible for a business card as a sole proprietor, even for side hustles or freelance work.
• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of application restrictions, as some issuers limit approvals based on how many cards you've recently opened.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for lounge access?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card is superior for lounge access if you primarily fly United, as it includes a full United Club membership. The American Express® Business Gold Card does not offer any complimentary lounge access.

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Can I get both the American Express® Business Gold Card and the United Club℠ Infinite Card?

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Yes, you can hold both cards simultaneously since they are issued by different banks—American Express and Chase, respectively. This allows you to take advantage of the unique benefits offered by each card.

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Is the American Express® Business Gold Card a good choice for frequent United Airlines flyers?

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While the American Express® Business Gold Card earns flexible Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to United MileagePlus (Terms apply), it lacks United-specific perks like free checked bags or priority boarding. Frequent United flyers might find more direct value from a co-branded United card.

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