100,000 bonus miles and lounge access: United Club Infinite Card Review

Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

The United Club Infinite Card is the ideal card for United lounge use — no bars. For any loyal United passenger who spends a significant amount of money on the airline each year, this card will be a great addition to your wallet. And with an unprecedented welcome offer of 100,000 bonus miles, there’s never been a better time to sign up. Card Rating*:

* Card ratings are based on the opinions of the editors of TPG and are not influenced by the card issuer.

The United Club Infinite Card’s $525 annual fee sounds high until you factor in the United Club membership that comes with the card. Membership typically costs $650 per year for non-elite members.

In addition, one of the main disadvantages of many airline credit card Is one low return on spending, even with branded purchases, as most airline cards only offer 2 or 3 points per dollar on airline purchases. But the United Club Infinite Card sets a new standard with an impressive 4 points per dollar of buying United.

Let’s dig into the top tier United Club Infinite Card to see if it makes sense for you, especially now that travel is starting to recover in earnest.

Official app link: United Club Infinite Card with 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

The United Club Infinite card is best suited for United loyalists who want premium perks like a member of the United Club. Currently priced between $550 and $650 annually (depending on your MileagePlus status), adding the United Club Infinite Card to your wallet is definitely worth it.

However, the main concern with this card is $525 annual fee. Therefore, it may not be the best choice for beginner or visitors who are not loyal to United.

United Club Infinite has a Highest welcome offer ever of 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on the card within the first three months of account opening. Based TPG’s valuation United miles at 1.21 cents per mile, which makes this offer a whopping $1,210 for air travel.

While this card is a completely separate product from the United Club Card (no longer available to new registrants), you cannot have both cards at the same time and the sign-up bonus is limited to one later. every 24 months. Here are the exact eligibility terms:

This card product is available to you if you do not have any United Club cards and have not received a New Cardholder bonus for any United Club card in the last 24 months.

And of course, this is a card issued by Chase, which means it’s subject to the issuer’s notoriety Rule 5/24. If you’ve opened five or more card accounts in the last 24 months (across all issuers, not just Chase), you may be denied for this account.

Information about the United Club Card has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: The best cards to get after you hit 5/24

The high score of the United Club Infinite Card is United club membergrant you access to United Clubs and choose star alliance lounge when flying United and its partners.

You will also be able to bring up to two adults with you (or one adult and any dependent children under the age of 21). Consider this benefit costs up to $650 per yearThis privilege alone is enough for the card’s $525 annual fee.

TSA/Global Entry Pre-Check application fee credit

If you don’t have it yet Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check, United Club Infinite Card will refund your subscription fee (up to $100) every four years. Travelers who already have the benefit can always gift this privilege to a family member or friend.

IHG Platinum Status and $75 . Credit

Major United Club Infinite cardholders are eligible for the freebies Platinum Elite Status with IHG Rewards. Perks at this status level include free room upgrades, extended payments, and bonus points for stay.

Additionally, cardholders will receive a statement credit of $75 for IHG Hotel & Resort purchases charged to the card this year, through December 31, 2022.

Related: A Traveler Guide to IHG Rewards

Elite-like perks

The card comes with two free check-in bags (for primary cardholder and one companion on the same card-paid booking), Premier Access (includes priority access to check-in, check-in and check-out). security check if applicable, boarding and baggage handling) , 25% cashback on United in-flight purchases, Expansion of available prizes and more.

If you have United’s elite status, these perks may not be as appealing. But for those who still haven’t earned it, here are valuable benefits to have.

10% off mileage

United Club Infinite primary cardholders will also be able to book an Economy Economy Prize on United flights within the continental United States and Canada with 10% less mileage than the award is available to the general public.

If you’re a Club Infinite cardholder, you’ll see the difference in mileage when you log into your MileagePlus account. For example, a Saver Reward may show as 5,000 miles when you are not logged in, but the same reward will show as 4,500 miles if logged into your account.

This complements the existing access to extend the prize pool to all United cobranded cardholder.

Related: How to unlock additional prize availability with United

Elite status spending shortcut

United Club Infinite cardholders can earn up to 4,000 Premier qualifying points each calendar year. You earn 500 PQP for every $12,000 spent on your card. Of course, that would require spending a whopping $96,000 to fully maximize, but still might be within reach of some.

Travel and purchase protection

With this card, you’ll get a variety of travel protection benefits, including:

Car rental privileges

Primary cardholders can register for free Avis President’s Club Membership, usually requires an invitation to join. President’s Club members get a free two-class upgrade, guaranteed availability when you book at least 24 hours in advance, and fast rental service.

Related: How to earn miles with United Airlines MileagePlus

• 4 miles per dollar when buying United.
• 2 miles a dollar for all other trips.
• 2 miles a dollar on buy food.
• 1 mile for every dollar on everything else.

That’s a 4.84% return on United’s spending (based on TPG . valuation), higher than any other airline credit card available.

Related: Best airline credit cards

Since Chase is the issuing bank, the travel and food category is broad definitionlike them with Ultimate Rewards Credit Card such as Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Priority Card.

If you have either of those cards, you’ll want to use them for general travel and dining expenses, as Chase the ultimate bonus points to be worth more than United miles. But if you don’t already have either of those cards, you can still earn rewards for buying those cards with the United Club Infinite Card.

Related: All ways to earn miles with United MileagePlus

When you’re ready to redeem your miles, United has some sweet spots in its MileagePlus program. Unfortunately, United no longer publishes award rankings, which means prize redemption rates can be unpredictable.

But there are other ways to find the value in the program, such as United Excursionist Perk or a United mile booking partner award. United did not pass fuel surcharge about partner prizes, which can save you hundreds of dollars per ticket when booking prizes like first class ticket on Lufthansa.

Related: Maximize your points redemption with United MileagePlus

Official app link: United Club Infinite Card with 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Stella Shon and Chris Dong.