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United MileagePlus® Club card review

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United MileagePlus® Club card

If you visit United Club lounges often, this card could be a steal.

30-second take

  • Get this card if you’re a loyal United flyer and you’ll visit United Clubs often.
  • Pick something else if you’re an occasional flyer. You might get more value out of United’s mid-tier card.
  • Apply with a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher.
Product NameUnited MileagePlus® Club card
Card TypeVisa
Annual Fee$450
Purchase APR18.24% to 25.24% variable
Intro Purchase APR

N/A

Balance Transfer APR18.24% to 25.24% variable
Intro Balance Transfer APR

N/A

Balance Transfer Fee$5 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater
Cash Advance Rate27.24% variable
Foreign Transaction FeeNone
Cash Advance Fee$10 or 5% of the cash advance amount, whichever is greater
Interest Free PeriodUp to 21 days
Late Payment FeeUp to $38
Returned Payment FeeUp to $38
Additional Cardholder Fee$0
Rates & FeesRates & Fees
Minimum Age18 years of age
Welcome Offer50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
Rewards2x miles on tickets purchased from United and 1.5x miles on all other purchases
Base Rewards1.5x miles
Rewards Points ExpiryNever

The basics

Among United’s co-branded credit cards, the United MileagePlus® Club card is the premium option — with an equally premium annual fee.

For many travelers, the card’s biggest draw will be the United Club membership. This normally costs $550 a year, so you could find a valuable deal in the card if you frequent United Club lounges.

Another premium airline credit card

Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express

  • Earn 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
  • Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
  • Enjoy in-flight savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Delta Reserve Credit Card to make an eligible purchase, on board your next Delta flight.
  • Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost and bring up to two guests for an exclusive rate of $29 per person per visit.
  • Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
  • Check your first bag free on Delta flights -that's a savings of up to $240 per round trip for a family of four.
  • $450 annual fee.
  • Terms apply.
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Differences with the United℠ Explorer Card

Here are a few notable benefits you’ll find with the United MileagePlus® Club card but not the United℠ Explorer Card, and vice versa.

United MileagePlus® Club cardUnited℠ Explorer Card
  • United Club membership
  • 1.5x miles on all eligible purchases
  • Your first two checked bags free on each United and United Express flight
  • No close-in ticketing fees on United flights
  • Hertz President’s Circle Elite Status
  • Price protection and return protection
  • Two one-time United Club passes each card year
  • 2x miles at restaurants and on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel
  • 2x miles on purchases from United, not just flights
  • 25% discount on eligible in-flight purchases
  • Credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee

Is the United MileagePlus® Club card worth its fee?

If you’re an occasional traveler, you’re unlikely to take full advantage of the card’s United Club membership or checked-baggage perk. Consider a mid-tier card instead and benefit from a lower annual fee and perks suited to the casual flyer.

But if you’re a frequent flyer, the card’s United Club membership might be a steal. And though you’ll find a few of its benefits with the United℠ Explorer Card, the United MileagePlus® Club card‘s airline perks can be invaluable for the right type of traveler.

The perks

  • Signup bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after you make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of card membership. According to the United website at the time of writing, this bonus is worth $650 when redeemed for flights.

    If you earn the bonus, you could have enough miles for a few flights. Short-distance Saver Award flights within the continental US and Canada go for as low as 10,000 miles each way. Longer Saver Award flights start around 12,500 miles each way.

  • United Club membership.
    Access over 45 United Club airport lounges around the world. You can also enter any Star Alliance Business Class Lounge when you fly on a Star Alliance carrier.Each time you visit a United Club location, you can bring an adult guest plus your children under 21. Or, you can bring up to two guests.Normally, a United Club membership costs $550 a year, plus a $50 initiation fee. The United MileagePlus® Club card costs $450 a year, so it could be a great deal for airport-lounge access alone.
  • Rewards: Up to 2x miles.
    Earn 2x miles on tickets you buy from United. Earn 1.5x miles on all other eligible purchases. This is an attractive rate, as a typical credit card offers 1x miles as its base rate.
  • United perks. You’ll find baggage perks, Premier Access benefits, no blackout dates for award flights and no close-in ticketing fees. There’s a notable omission: You won’t receive a 25% discount on eligible in-flight purchases, a perk you’ll find with United’s mid-tier option.

How to earn United miles

Is the annual fee worth it?

The United MileagePlus® Club card has an annual fee of $450.

According to the United website, miles are worth 1.3 cents each when redeemed for flights. Through rewards alone, you’d need to earn 34,616 miles to break even.

Here’s how your rewards might look for spending in a mix of categories:
This spending would yield the 34,616 miles you need to break even on your annual fee.

United MileagePlus® Club card benefits: An easier way to get value from your annual fee

As you can see above, it could be difficult to break even on your annual fee through miles alone. It’s easier to get value from your card through its benefits. For example:

You’d get $1,625 of value from these benefits. This doesn’t include potential value from benefits like travel insurance, purchase protection or The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection stays.

Compare United MileagePlus® Club card vs The Platinum Card® from American Express

You’ll also like …

  • The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection.
    Use your card to book a stay at a property in The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection. Your reservation comes with early check-in, late checkout upon availability, free Wi-Fi, complimentary daily breakfast for two and a unique perk depending on the property.
  • Hertz President’s Circle Elite Status.
    As a cardholder, you can join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle. This is Hertz’s highest loyalty tier.You’ll receive benefits like upgrades, a 50% point bonus on eligible earning activity, a four-month CLEAR trial, point transfers to eligible travel partners and a dedicated phone support line.
  • Inside Access experiences.
    As a card member, you can access unique experiences.

Inside Access lets you join experiences like these …

  • Sqirl with Chef Jessica Koslow: $100 per person.
    Chef Koslow will curate specialty dishes for guests of this private dinner.
  • Ski with Champions Lindsey Vonn and Jonny Moseley in Vail: $100 to $1,000 per person.
    Join the ski champions for a private buffet dinner and Q-and-A session. The following day, you’ll ski with both of them. In the evening, Jonny will host an après-ski event.
  • Super Bowl packages: $6,290 to $12,140 per person.
    Enjoy a special pregame party with refreshments before you attend the big game. You’ll also receive a VIP ticket to The Super Bowl Experience and access to the Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest Concert.
  • United MileagePlus events.
    Redeem rewards for sporting experiences, upgraded hospitality for golf events, live-theater experiences and more.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
    With most non-travel credit cards, you’ll pay a fee when you use your card abroad or at a foreign website. You won’t encounter that fee with this travel card.
  • Visa Signature Concierge.
    Call the concierge service anytime for help with dining reservations, gift-finding, obtaining tickets to shows and more.
  • Travel and purchase coverage.
    Use your card and qualify for a suite of protection and insurance.

What to watch out for

  • Annual fee: $450.
    You might find the bulk of this card’s value from its United Club membership. That said, it’s geared toward frequent United flyers.
  • Elevated rewards only on United flights.
    While it has a solid base rewards rate, you might wish for elevated rewards in more categories, such as dining or groceries.

Compare travel credit cards

Name Product Welcome Offer Rewards Annual Fee
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
2x points on travel and dining. 1x points on all other purchases
$95
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Apply now
View details
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
3x points on dining and travel after earning your $300 travel credit. 1x points on all other purchases
$450
Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Apply now
View details
United℠ Explorer Card
United℠ Explorer Card
40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months plus 20,000 miles after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
2x miles at restaurants, on hotel stays and on purchases from United and 1x miles on all other purchases
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)
Earn 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional 20,000 miles after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months.
Apply now
View details
U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Travel Rewards® Card
U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Travel Rewards® Card
25,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 4 months
2x points on gas, groceries and airlines, whichever you spend the most on each month, 2x points on cell phone services and charities and 1x points on all other purchases
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($49 thereafter)
Earn 25,000 enrollment FlexPoints worth $375 in travel after spending $2,000 in the first 4 months.
Apply now
View details
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase in the first 3 months
2x miles on Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)
30,000 bonus miles after you use your new card to make $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase in the first 3 months. Rates & Fees
Apply now
View details

Compare up to 4 providers

What should I know before I apply?

To apply for the United MileagePlus® Club card, you must be at least 18 years old, 19 in Alabama and Nebraska or 21 in Puerto Rico.

Information you’ll need

  • Full name
  • Mailing address and residential status
  • Date of birth, mother’s maiden name and Social Security number
  • Total gross annual income and employment information
  • Email address and phone number
  • Optional: MileagePlus number

What do customers say about the United MileagePlus® Club card?

Some cardholders say that, beyond the United Club membership, there’s not much more to the United MileagePlus® Club card compared to the United℠ Explorer Card. However, other customers say they find United Club access extremely valuable — especially as United has upgraded many of its lounges.

JPMorgan Chase Credit Card isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but it has an A+ rating from the agency. The bank has over 2,100 customer complaints, most of which have been resolved or answered according to the BBB.

An in-depth comparison of the top- and mid-tier United credit card options could help you get the most for your money.

How to apply for the United MileagePlus® Club card

  1. Go to the Chase website and click Apply now.
  2. Complete the application with information like your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, annual income and contact information.
  3. Review your application and submit it.

I got the card. Now what?

  • Make payments. You can pay your card bill online at the Chase website. You can also enroll in autopay.
  • Avoid interest payments. After the close of each billing cycle, you have a grace period of 21 days to pay your balance. If you do, you won’t pay interest on your purchases.
  • Avoid fees. Late and returned payments come with hefty fees of up to $38. Balance transfers and cash advances also come with fees.
  • Contact customer service. If you have questions, you can contact Chase support at 800-432-3117, log in to your account to send a secure email or find support on Twitter @ChaseSupport.

How do I redeem miles from the United MileagePlus® Club card?

All miles earned during each billing cycle will be automatically transferred to your MileagePlus account at the end of the period.

You can redeem your miles on the United website by logging in to your MileagePlus account. Here are some redemption options:

  • Flights
  • Hotel stays
  • Cruises
  • Car rentals
  • United Club membership
  • Gift cards
  • Merchandise
  • Experiences
  • United Wi-Fi
  • TSA PreCheck application
  • Transfers or donations
  • Dining at select airports
  • Magazines and newspapers
  • Dining gift cards, discounts and certificates

For a good redemption rate, look for flights

According to our valuation at the time of writing, United miles are worth 1.3 cents each on average when redeemed for flights.

Other redemption options may yield lower rates. For example, redeeming United miles for hotel stays usually gives a per-mile average of 0.7 cents.

How to redeem United miles

Bottom line

For most travelers, the bulk of the United MileagePlus® Club card‘s value will come from the United Club membership.

For that benefit alone, the card could be worth paying for. But this depends on how often you fly. Consider another travel credit card if you only travel occasionally. If you’re a frequent flyer, however, you could get fantastic value from this premium United product.

Frequently asked questions

Disclaimer

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

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