United Club vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Let's break down why the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card stands out.

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• It features a straightforward rewards structure, earning 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and an unlimited 1.5 points on all other purchases.
• Despite its annual fee, the card comes with valuable travel credits and protections, plus it waives foreign transaction fees.
• Simply by using the card’s full up to $100 annual airline incidental credit, you can more than make up for the annual fee. (publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• Points have a simple, fixed value and can be redeemed for cash back, travel, or statement credits without the hassle of transfer partners.
• Qualifying Bank of America customers can earn a significant rewards bonus, boosting the points earned on already broad travel and dining categories.
• It comes with a range of travel insurance protections and charges no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

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Cons

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• Points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners, which limits redemption flexibility and the potential for high-value rewards.
• The card lacks many premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access, that are common on competing travel cards.
• Its full earning potential is unlocked only for Bank of America customers who qualify for the Preferred Rewards program, making it less valuable for those who bank elsewhere.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs United Club

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, United Club or Bank of America Premium Rewards, it's crucial to understand the ideal user for each card as they cater to very different types of travelers.

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• The United Club℠ Card is best for frequent United Airlines flyers and loyalists who prioritize premium travel perks like airport lounge access and priority services.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card is ideal for moderate travelers and everyday spenders seeking strong, flexible rewards, especially those who already bank or invest with Bank of America.

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Redemption

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The United Club℠ Card: Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with United and its Star Alliance partners, seat upgrades, and other travel-related purchases through the airline's loyalty program.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card provides flexible redemption choices, allowing you to use your points for cash back, a statement credit, travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center, or gift cards.

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Travel Perks

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• United Club℠ Card: This card’s ecosystem is built for the dedicated United flyer.
  • Travel Portal: All rewards and bookings are managed through the United MileagePlus program, focusing on flights with United and its Star Alliance partners.
  • Lounge Access: A key feature is the complimentary United Club membership, which provides access to United Club lounges and participating partner lounges worldwide.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card does not charge foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card offers a more flexible travel ecosystem that isn't tied to a single airline.
  • Travel Portal: Cardholders book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center, with points offering potentially higher value for Preferred Rewards members.
  • Lounge Access: It does not include complimentary lounge membership but provides an annual airline incidental statement credit that could be used for purchases like lounge day passes.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card does not have foreign transaction fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the optimal choice for your wallet.

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• Test Drive Cards: The platform’s ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate how much you could earn with different cards using your real spending data—before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized Recommendations: Receive card recommendations based on your actual transaction history, ensuring you find a card that truly matches your spending patterns.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for various cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Extra Rewards: Earn additional rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores and access exclusive offers, like the $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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This card is tailor-made for frequent United flyers, particularly business and international travelers who value comfort and efficiency while navigating airports. Its primary benefits, including complimentary United Club membership for lounge access and Premier Access® services, directly cater to those who spend significant time flying with the airline. Furthermore, travelers looking to earn elite status will find value in the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) through spending on The United Club℠ Infinite Card.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who want a straightforward way to earn rewards without paying a premium annual fee. It's particularly valuable for existing Bank of America or Merrill clients, as they can significantly boost their earnings through the Preferred Rewards program. As detailed in this comprehensive review, those who prefer the simplicity of cash back-style redemptions over complex airline and hotel transfer partners will find this card to be a great fit.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Club vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card comparison didn't point you to a clear winner, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score, as most premium cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
• Review the card’s benefits to confirm they align with your travel and spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application, as this can help you meet a spending requirement with a large planned purchase.
• Leverage existing relationships, because some issuers like Bank of America offer enhanced rewards for current customers.
• Consider your loyalty, since co-branded cards like the United Club℠ Card are most valuable for frequent flyers of that airline.

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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What are the annual fees for the United Club℠ Infinite Card and the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card has a premium annual fee that covers the cost of a United Club membership. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card features a more modest annual fee, making it a more accessible option for many travelers.

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Can I access airport lounges with the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card does not offer complimentary lounge access as a primary benefit. However, it does provide an annual airline incidental statement credit that cardholders could potentially use to purchase lounge day passes.

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Is the United Club℠ Infinite Card a good choice if I don't fly United exclusively?

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If you are not a frequent United Airlines flyer, you may struggle to get the full value from the United Club℠ Infinite Card, as its main perk is the United Club membership. Travelers who fly a variety of airlines might find a more general travel rewards card to be a better fit.

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