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United℠ Business Card Review: Benefits, Rewards & More
February 6, 2025
Are you a business owner who frequently flies United Airlines? The United℠ Business Card might be the perfect addition to your wallet. This Chase credit card offers substantial benefits for United loyal flyers, from free checked bags to priority boarding and bonus miles on United purchases. With a reasonable $99 annual fee, this card provides significant value for businesses with regular United travel expenses.
In this comprehensive review, we'll examine the card's features, benefits, and drawbacks to help you determine if it's the right fit for your business travel needs.
What Is the United℠ Business Card?
The United℠ Business Card is a co-branded business credit card offered by Chase in partnership with United Airlines. Designed specifically for business owners who frequently fly United, this card helps you earn United MileagePlus miles on your business expenses while enjoying various United-specific perks.
With the United℠ Business Card, you'll earn miles on everyday spending and business purchases, with bonus categories including United purchases, dining, gas stations, and office supply stores. Your creditworthiness and account behavior will determine your credit limit and eligibility for the card's benefits.
The card includes a compelling sign-up bonus for new cardholders who meet minimum spending requirements within the first few months after account opening, subject to credit approval. Your transaction history and documentation requirements may impact your eligibility for the welcome offer.
United℠ Business Card Pros & Cons
Before diving deeper, let's examine the key advantages and disadvantages of the United℠ Business Card.
Pros:
- Generous welcome bonus: Earn substantial United MileagePlus miles after meeting minimum spending requirements
- Free first checked bag: For you and one companion on United-operated flights
- Priority boarding: Get on the plane earlier to secure overhead bin space
- Two United Club one-time passes annually: Worth over $100 in value
- No foreign transaction fees: Ideal for international business travel
- Primary car rental insurance: Comprehensive coverage when renting for business purposes
- 25% back on inflight purchases: Save on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
- Employee cards at no additional cost: Earn miles faster with employee spending
- Better Together Bonus: Earn 5,000 bonus miles each cardmember anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal United credit card
- Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): Earn PQPs toward MileagePlus Premier status when you spend on the card
Cons:
- $99 annual fee: Though reasonable for the benefits, it's still an expense to consider
- Limited non-United benefits: Most perks are tied to United Airlines
- Higher bonus potential elsewhere: Some competing business cards offer higher overall rewards rates
- Limited lounge access: Only includes two one-time United Club passes annually, not full United Club membership
- Requires good to excellent credit score: Not accessible to business owners with fair or poor credit
Who Is the United℠ Business Card For?
The United℠ Business Card is ideally suited for:
- Business owners who frequently fly United Airlines: The free checked bag benefit alone can offset the annual fee after just a few flights.
- Small business entrepreneurs seeking travel protections: The card's comprehensive travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation protection, baggage delay insurance, and trip delay reimbursement, provide peace of mind for business travelers.
- Companies with international business travel needs: With no foreign transaction fees and global acceptance, this card is valuable for businesses with international operations.
- Business owners looking to earn elite status with United: The ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward MileagePlus Premier status makes this card valuable for frequent United flyers.
- Businesses with multiple employees: Free employee cards mean you can earn miles faster on combined business spending.
If your business travel patterns don't align with United's routes or you rarely check bags, you might be better served by a general travel rewards card with more flexible redemption options.
Comparing the United℠ Business Card With Other Credit Cards
When considering the United℠ Business Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the business credit card category:
Capital One Venture X Business (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $395
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, and 5X on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Large points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 3X points on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines on the first $150,000 spent
- Standout feature: Cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $695
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5X points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million per calendar year
- Standout feature: Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, access is limited to eligible Card Members
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.
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- United℠ Business Card excels in helping business owners earn United MileagePlus miles on your business expenses
- Capital One Venture X Business offers high travel rewards
- Ink Business Preferred® provides strong points on business-related categories
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features premium travel perks
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Key Features and Benefits
Rewards Structure
The United℠ Business Card offers:
- 2X miles on United Airlines purchases
- 2X miles on dining, gas stations, office supply stores, and local transit and commuting
- 1X miles on all other purchases
These bonus-rewards categories allow businesses to maximize earnings on common expense categories.
Welcome Offer
New cardmembers can earn a substantial sign-up bonus of United MileagePlus miles after meeting a spending requirement within the first three months of account opening. This welcome bonus often provides enough miles for multiple domestic flights or a round-trip ticket to select international destinations.
United Airlines Perks
- Free first checked bag: For the cardholder and one companion on the same reservation, saving up to $140 per round trip
- Priority boarding: Group 2 boarding for cardholder and companions on the same reservation
- Two United Club one-time passes annually: Enjoy United's airport lounges
- 25% back on inflight purchases: Including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
- Better Together Bonus: 5,000 bonus miles each cardmember anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal United credit card
- 5,000-mile anniversary bonus: When you spend $25,000 or more on the card in an account year
- $100 United travel credit: After making seven United flight purchases of $100 or more
- Expanded award availability: Access to more economy award seats than general MileagePlus members
Travel Protections
The United℠ Business Card includes impressive travel insurance benefits:
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Reimbursement up to $1,500 per person for non-refundable passenger fares
- Trip delay reimbursement: Coverage for delays of 12 hours or more
- Baggage delay insurance: Reimbursement for essential purchases when baggage is delayed
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Coverage for damaged or lost checked bags
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Primary coverage for theft and collision damage when renting for business purposes, with reimbursement up to $60,000
- Travel accident insurance: Coverage for accidental death or dismemberment
Shopping Protections
- Purchase protection: Coverage against damage or theft for new purchases
- Extended warranty protection: Additional coverage beyond the original manufacturer's warranty
Business Benefits
- Employee cards at no additional cost: Earn miles on employee spending
- Account activity tracking: Detailed reports to help with expense management
- Chase Pay Over Time: Flexibility for managing business cash flow on eligible purchases
Maximizing Your United℠ Business Card
To get the most value from your United℠ Business Card:
- Meet the welcome bonus spending requirement to earn the substantial sign-up bonus
- Use the card for all United purchases to earn double miles and enjoy travel benefits
- Take advantage of the free checked bag benefit on every eligible United flight
- Use your United Club passes for comfortable airport layovers
- Combine with a personal United credit card to earn the Better Together Bonus
- Redeem miles strategically through United MileagePlus for flights on United or Star Alliance partners
- Utilize MileagePlus Exclusives for unique experiences not available for purchase
- Consider Chase Pay Over Time for managing larger business expenses
Redeeming MileagePlus Miles
United MileagePlus miles are flexible and valuable when used strategically:
- Award travel on United: Domestic flights typically start around 12,500 miles one-way
- Award travel on Star Alliance partners: Access to 26+ airlines worldwide
- No blackout dates on United-operated flights
- MileagePlus Exclusives: Access to events and experiences
- Upgrades: Use miles to upgrade to premium cabins
- Merchandise and gift cards: Though typically providing less value than flight redemptions
For maximum value, focus on redeeming miles for flights, particularly international or premium cabin travel, where miles can be worth 2 cents or more each.
Consider Using Kudos
While the United℠ Business Card offers excellent benefits for United flyers, savvy business owners know that maximizing credit card rewards requires strategic planning. This is where Kudos comes in.
Kudos is a free AI-powered smart wallet that helps you maximize your credit card rewards across all your cards. With Kudos, you can:
- Get personalized credit card recommendations for each purchase, ensuring you always use the right card at the right time
- Work with over 15,000 stores to earn rewards from a wide variety of retailers
- Multiply your rewards up to 5X during exclusive "Flash Boost" events
- Discover new cards that align with your business spending patterns
If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, including your United℠ Business Card, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. And, they're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Our Expert Takeaway
The United℠ Business Card offers substantial value for business owners who frequently fly United Airlines. With a reasonable $99 annual fee, the card's benefits – including free checked bags, priority boarding, and two United Club passes annually – can quickly outweigh the cost for regular United travelers.
The rewards structure rewards common business expenses, and the travel protections provide valuable peace of mind for business trips. While the card is most beneficial for United loyalists, the absence of foreign transaction fees and primary car rental insurance make it useful for international business travel as well.
For businesses that don't frequently fly United or prefer more flexible rewards, a general business travel card might be a better fit. But for those who can maximize the United-specific perks, this card delivers excellent value.
United℠ Business Card FAQ
What is the annual fee for the United℠ Business Card?
The United℠ Business Card has a $99 annual fee.
Do I need a United MileagePlus number to apply?
Yes, you'll need a United MileagePlus number to apply. If you don't have one, you can create one for free on United's website before applying.
What credit score do I need for the United℠ Business Card?
Generally, you'll need a good to excellent credit score (670 or higher) to qualify, though approval depends on multiple factors including your creditworthiness and business financial health.
Can I get the sign-up bonus if I already have other United credit cards?
Yes, the business card sign-up bonus eligibility is separate from personal United cards. However, if you've received a bonus for this specific business card in the past 24 months, you may not be eligible.
How do I redeem my United MileagePlus miles?
You can redeem miles through United's website or app for flights on United or Star Alliance partners, upgrades, experiences, merchandise, or gift cards.
Do employee cards earn miles?
Yes, purchases made on employee cards earn miles at the same rate as the primary card, and those miles go into the primary cardholder's MileagePlus account.
Can I transfer miles to other loyalty programs?
No, United MileagePlus miles cannot be transferred to other airline or hotel loyalty programs, but they can be used for flights on Star Alliance partner airlines.
How do I earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) with the card?
You can earn 500 PQPs for every $12,000 spent on purchases with your United℠ Business Card, up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year.
Does the free checked bag benefit apply to my employees?
The free checked bag benefit applies to the primary cardholder and one companion traveling on the same reservation. Employee cardholders do not automatically receive this benefit unless they're traveling with the primary cardholder.
What is the Better Together Bonus?
The Better Together Bonus provides 5,000 bonus miles each cardmember anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal United credit card.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
