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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
United Club Card review: Premium perks for frequent United flyers
Matt Moffitt is a contributing editor and expert in getting the most out of credit cards and points (he carries at least 25 cards in his wallet at any given time). Originally from Sydney, Australia, he won the Green Card Lottery and lived in Austin, Texas for 10 years before relocating to Spain in 2025.
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
A premium airline card offers complimentary airport lounge membership, valuable airline perks and elevated earning rates for loyal flyers.
The card is best suited for frequent travelers who regularly use United lounges and fly with the airline often.
Key benefits include free checked bags, priority airport services and a suite of annual statement credits for travel-related purchases.
A high annual fee may be difficult to justify for those who do not frequently fly with the airline or live near its hubs.
What to consider
Eligibility is affected by the 5/24 rule, which limits approval for those with five or more new personal cards in the past 24 months.
Some statement credits require activation or specific bookings to redeem, and not all may fit every traveler's habits.
Award discounts and expanded saver-level award space are available to cardholders, enhancing the value of airline miles.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of premium airline cards, including trade-offs between lounge access, statement credits and flexibility for different travel styles.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Earn 5x miles on all other eligible United® purchases.
2x
Earn 2x miles on dining and all other travel.
1x
Earn 1x mile on all other purchases.
Intro offer
Earn up to 90,000 miles
Annual fee
$695
Regular APR
19.74% - 28.24% Variable
Recommended credit
Excellent Credit
The (see rates and fees) is a strong fit for frequent United Airlines flyers thanks to its complimentary United Club lounge membership, valuable airline perks and elevated earning rates on United purchases. However, its high annual fee will be difficult to justify if you only fly United occasionally. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
United Club Card: The basics
The is United Airlines’ top-tier consumer credit card. It carries a $695 annual fee, but it also includes a full United Club membership that otherwise costs $750 per year.
This card is geared toward loyal United travelers who want a more premium airport experience and can take advantage of the airline-specific benefits it offers.
Here’s what you need to know at a glance:
Annual fee: $695
Rewards: Bonus United MileagePlus miles for United purchases, plus travel and dining purchases
Key perk: Complimentary United Club membership
Best for: Frequent United flyers who regularly visit airports with United Clubs
Like other Chase-issued cards, the United Club Card is also subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards across all issuers in the past 24 months, your application will likely be denied.
United Club Card pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Complimentary United Club membership
Strong earning rates on United purchases
Statement credits that help offset the annual fee
Valuable travel perks like free checked bags and Premier Access
High annual fee
Limited value if you don’t live near a United hub
Several statement credits require effort to maximize
United Club Card benefits
The has a long list of benefits aimed squarely at frequent United travelers. While some perks are easy to use, others require more effort to fully maximize.
Cardholders receive unlimited access to more than 45 United Club lounges worldwide when flying United or a partner airline. You can also bring in one adult guest and dependent children under 18.
If you regularly pass through United hubs like Chicago, Denver, Houston, Newark or San Francisco, this benefit alone can justify the card’s annual fee.
I’ve found United Clubs in Houston especially useful during long layovers and delayed flights. Having a quiet place to work, grab a snack and recharge devices can make a stressful travel day feel much more manageable.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
The card also includes built-in travel protections like trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage, baggage delay insurance and primary rental car coverage.
Up to two 10,000-mile award discounts annually after meeting spending thresholds
These benefits became even more valuable after recent MileagePlus program changes, which shifted more award savings and mileage-earning opportunities toward cardholders.
United MileagePlus miles are most valuable when redeemed for premium cabin flights, especially on Star Alliance partners.
One thing I consistently like about MileagePlus is that United doesn’t pass along fuel surcharges on partner award bookings. That can save you hundreds of dollars compared to booking the same flights through another program.
I recently used 12,500 United MileagePlus miles (plus $12 in taxes and fees) to fly one-way from Valencia, Spain, to Vienna to attend the Eurovision Song Contest. Cash fares for that trip were quite expensive, so redeeming miles ended up being a great value.
I also regularly find solid value using United miles for last-minute flights when cash fares are expensive.
If you hold the United Club Card, your miles can stretch even further thanks to the automatic award discounts available to cardholders.
The biggest drawback is obvious: the $695 annual fee. Even though the included lounge membership is valuable, you still need to actually use it consistently to justify the cost.
I also think some of the statement credits feel overly complicated. Monthly ride-hailing credits and partner-specific benefits can create coupon book fatigue, especially if you already juggle several premium travel rewards cards.
Another downside is that United miles aren’t as flexible as transferable rewards currencies. If your travel habits change and you stop flying United frequently, the card becomes much harder to justify in the long term.
United Club Card vs. United Quest Card
If the feels too expensive, the (see rates and fees) is worth considering.
The Quest Card carries a much lower annual fee while still offering strong United-specific perks, including free checked bags, award flight discounts and useful statement credits.
However, you’ll miss out on the biggest differentiator of the United Club Card: a full United Club membership. If lounge access is a priority for you, the Club Card remains the better option.
New applicants can earn up to 90,000 bonus miles: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
If you’ve been considering this card and can meet the spending requirement responsibly, now may be a good time to apply.
Other cards to consider if you don’t want the United Club Card
If the doesn’t feel like the right fit, here are a few alternatives worth considering.
If you want flexible rewards: The remains one of my favorite all-around travel cards because of its strong earning rates and valuable transfer partners. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
If you want premium lounge access beyond United: The offers access to a much broader lounge network, including Centurion and Priority Pass lounges. To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
The United Club Card is a strong premium airline credit card for travelers who are deeply invested in the United ecosystem. Between the included United Club membership, its valuable airline perks and its strong MileagePlus earning rates for cardholders, there’s real long-term value here for frequent United flyers.
This card makes the most sense if United is your primary airline and you’ll regularly use the lounge access and travel perks. Otherwise, a lower-fee United card — or a more flexible travel rewards card — may be a better fit.
