Chase Sapphire Reserve vs United Club Infinite: Which Is Better In 2025?

United Club℠ Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2410", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "United Loyalists", "headerHint": "Top-Tier Card"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a breakdown of why we think the United Club℠ Card is a top-tier choice for United loyalists.

• Cardholders receive a complimentary United Club membership, which provides access to United Club and participating Star Alliance partner lounges.
• Enjoy Premier Access travel services, which include priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling.
• The free checked bag benefit for you and a companion can save you up to $640 on just two round-trip flights, nearly offsetting the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• The card’s rewards structure allows you to earn bonus miles on United purchases, plus other travel and dining spending.
• Receive a statement credit for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee.
• A comprehensive suite of travel protections provides peace of mind during your trips.

‍

Cons

‍

• The card has a high annual fee that may be difficult to justify if you don't regularly fly with the airline.
• Benefits are heavily focused on United, offering limited value to travelers who are not loyal to the airline or its partners.
• It lacks an introductory APR offer and has fewer bonus-earning categories than some competing premium cards.

United Club℠ vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or United Club Infinite, depends entirely on your travel habits and loyalty to a specific airline.

‍

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card is designed for frequent travelers who want flexible rewards across various travel and dining purchases. It's a great fit for those who aren't tied to a single airline and value premium perks like lounge access and comprehensive travel protections.
• United Club℠ Infinite Card: This card is tailored for loyal United Airlines flyers. It's ideal for travelers who frequently fly with United and want to maximize their benefits with the airline, including club access and priority services.

‍

Redemption

‍

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Points can be redeemed for travel through the Chase portal for increased value or transferred to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. Cardholders also have the option to redeem points for cash back or statement credits, providing significant flexibility.
• United Club℠ Infinite Card: Rewards are earned as MileagePlus miles, which are best used for booking award flights and upgrades on United and its partner airlines. This redemption structure is ideal for travelers loyal to the United network.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®:
  • Lounge Access: Cardholders receive a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which grants access to over a thousand airport lounges worldwide.
  • Travel Portal: Points can be redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where they hold an increased value for booking flights, hotels, and other travel.
  • Travel Credits & Protections: The card offers an annual travel credit. It's important to note that points are not earned on travel purchases until after the annual travel credit is fully used. It also includes a statement credit for a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee and provides comprehensive trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and other protections.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: There are no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• United Club℠ Infinite Card:
  • Lounge Access: The primary benefit is a full United Club℠ membership, giving the cardholder and eligible travel companions access to all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance™ affiliated lounges.
  • Airline-Specific Perks: As a top-tier United card, it offers priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding, and baggage handling. The cardholder and one companion on the same reservation also get their first and second checked bags free.
  • Travel Credits: Includes a statement credit for a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card also charges no foreign transaction fees.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

For those looking to simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

‍

• Manage all your credit cards, monitor your credit score, and track spending in one platform.
• Receive personalized card recommendations and actionable insights based on your actual spending history.
• Use the 'Test Drive' feature to simulate how much you could earn with a new card before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• Unlock rewards like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ and a welcome offer guarantee on select cards.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for new cards based on your credit report.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

‍

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is tailor-made for frequent travelers who also spend a significant amount on dining. This user can take full advantage of the card's premium perks, like Priority Pass™ Select lounge access, valuable point transfers, and an annual $300 travel credit. Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases; the first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit. For the right cardholder, as outlined in a 2025 card review, the value from these benefits can easily justify the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the United Club℠?

‍

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is tailor-made for loyal United Airlines flyers who travel several times a year and want to upgrade their airport experience. This includes business travelers who can take advantage of priority services and individuals who value complimentary United Club membership for comfort between flights. International travelers and those chasing MileagePlus Premier status will also find significant value, thanks to Star Alliance lounge access and the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) through spending, as detailed in a full card review.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

So, you've reviewed the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. United Club℠ Infinite Card comparison and decided neither is the right choice for your wallet. Fortunately, the world of premium travel cards is vast, and several other options might be a better fit.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "190"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Decent Choice"]} ]]

Tips for Application Success

‍

Getting approved for a premium travel card requires a bit of strategy. Following a few key steps can significantly boost your chances of success.

‍

• Before You Apply:
  • Check your credit score. Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The United Club℠ Card generally require an excellent credit score, typically 740 or higher. Knowing where you stand is the first step.
  • Review the issuer’s rules. Each bank has its own set of application rules. Being aware of these can help you avoid an automatic denial and a wasted hard inquiry on your credit report.
  • Assess the annual fee. Make sure you can use enough of the card’s statement credits and perks to make the annual fee worthwhile. If the benefits don't align with your spending, the card may not be the right fit.
• Application Strategy:
  • Be honest on your application. Always provide accurate information, especially regarding your income. Issuers have ways to verify this, and discrepancies can lead to a denial.
  • Don’t apply for too many cards at once. Spacing out your credit card applications can improve your approval odds and shows lenders you’re not desperate for credit.
  • Use a trusted source. Applying through a platform that tracks the best offers can ensure you’re getting the most value from your new card.

Pro tip: Time your application around a large purchase you already plan to make. This will help you meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer organically, without forcing unnecessary spending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card is better for frequent United Airlines flyers?

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is tailored for United loyalists, offering benefits like a United Club membership and free checked bags on United flights. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides more flexible travel rewards and credits that can be used across various airlines and travel purchases.

‍

What kind of airport lounge access do these cards offer?

The United Club℠ Infinite Card includes a United Club membership, granting access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance partner lounges. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a Priority Pass Select membership, which offers access to a global network of over 1,300 airport lounges.

‍

Can I earn United miles with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, these points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to airline partners, including the United MileagePlus program. The United Club℠ Infinite Card earns United MileagePlus miles directly on every purchase.

‍

How do the annual fees for these cards compare?

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the United Club℠ Infinite Card are premium travel cards that carry annual fees in the hundreds of dollars. For the most current fee information, it is best to consult the official card issuer websites.