Credit Card Comparison: United Club Infinite Card vs Chase Sapphire Reserve

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated with new information.

When it comes to travel rewards cards, one specific question often comes up: Should you choose an airline or a hotel co-branded card or get a card earned Points are transferable instead of, replace?

As the airlines continue Prize leaderboard value reduction, transferable point currencies have become more valuable than ever because of their versatility. However, for those loyal to a particular airline, branded co-branded airline card can still bring a lot of value. That’s because many airline cards offer perks like free checked baggage, discounts on in-flight purchases, the ability to Spend your way to elite status and other airline-specific benefits. So when to get another card?

Today, we are going over the benefits of the top two credit card premium rewardsthe United Club Infinite Card and Chase Sapphire Reserveto see which makes the most sense to you.

*Point/mile value is an estimate in TPG not the card issuer.

Both premium credit cards have the potential to add a lot of value to your wallet. The main difference between the two cards is that United’s benefits are geared towards United passengers, while Chase Sapphire Reserve is a broader goal travel credit card.

When should you consider the United Club Infinite Card

You are a United loyal flyer

The United Club Infinite Card most suitable for frequent travelers loyal to unified, as most travel-related benefits are only available when you fly with the airline. That means the only way to really maximize the card and make it worth the annual fee flies quite often with United. That loyalty rewards card with a rate of earning 4 miles for every dollar on United purchases and travel day benefits like Premier Access (and all of its perks like premium check-in). baggage handling) and in-flight discounts for United.

The pass also comes with a United Club membership, so you can use the airline lounges (not including the Polaris lounge unless you’re flying United international business class or one of the airlines). firm’s work). You won’t be able to do that with Chase Reserve lounge access.

You already have a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase doesn’t let you have more than one Sapphire card at the same time and the issuer makes you wait 48 months between earning the Sapphire bonus. So if you already have Chase Sapphire Priority Card within the last four years, you should consider whether you’re willing to give up that 60,000 point bonus for Chase Sapphire Reserve by submitting an application prior to the expiration of the 48-month period. If you’re willing to wait, then applying for a United Club Infinite Card in the meantime might be a better option for you.

When Should You Consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

You are not loyal to a particular airline when you travel

The Chase Sapphire Reserve earn Final bonus points, is a transferable currency. While you can just use Mile flower on United and partner flights, Ultimate Rewards points can be earned transferred to 11 airline partners and 3 hotels (including United) or redeemed via travel portal Ultimate Reward for 1.5 cents each. If you are booking travel through different airlines and hotels, Ultimate Rewards points give you much more flexibility than United mile.

In addition, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more benefits. It up to $300 annual travel credit can be used for more than just United flightsand its Lyft benefits are more than just air travel. If you are looking for a more general travel credit card with benefits that extend beyond a single airline, then Chase Sapphire Reserve is the way to go.

Chase Sapphire Reserve also allows cardholders to register Priority card Choose a memberallows you to use more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with up to two guests, regardless of which airline they are flying on.

Finally, United Club Infinite’s welcome bonus is worth $1,210, and Chase Sapphire Reserve’s is worth the equivalent of $1,200, according to the report. TPG . latest valuation.

You already have a United Club card

Like the Sapphire card, Chase does not allow you to have a United Club Infinite Card if you have a legacy United Club Card. Additionally, you will not be able to earn the 100,000 miles bonus on the United Club Infinite Card if you have earned a bonus on the United Club Card within the last 24 months.

So, if you’ve had a recent United Club Card, make sure you’re eligible for bonuses on the United Club Infinite Card before signing up and transferring that $525 annual fee. If you are not eligible for the bonus, Chase Sapphire Reserve Definitely a better choice.

both Chase Sapphire Reserve and United Club Infinite Cards are great cards, but they’re aimed at different audiences. If you consider yourself a “freelance agent” who is not loyal to a single airline when you travel, Chase Sapphire Reserve there are more flexible redemption options for you to take advantage of. However, if you are someone who flies United almost exclusively, signing up for the United Club Infinite Card can get you a lot of great perks with the airline.

Remember that whichever card you choose, both are issued by Chase — meaning both are subject to the issuer’s regulations. the infamous 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards in the past two years, you’ll almost certainly not be approved for either of these cards.

Official app link: Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Official app link: Infinite Unity Club.

Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and Stella Shon.