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United MileagePlus® Club card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

It comes down to premium benefits vs flexible earning.

The winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card logo

Up to 5x

Points

  • Massive signup bonus worth $1,250 with Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • 1:1 point transfer to partner hotels and airlines
  • Earn up to 5x points
Apply now
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Steven Dashiell
Updated . What changed?
Fact checked

These two cards differ in a few key ways. The United MileagePlus® Club card is a premium airline card with a $450 annual fee and a host of premium perks, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a mid-tier travel card with a $95 annual fee. But this doesn’t mean the Chase card can’t compete — you still earn the same type of points as the United MileagePlus® Club card and you can easily redeem or transfer points for United flights. So which is the better pick?

United MileagePlus® Club card

United MileagePlus® Club card

Terms apply, see rates & fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Terms apply, see rates & fees
Finder rating
Finder rating Not rated yet

★★★★★

4.3 / 5.0
Best for
Best for
  • Premium United perks
  • Travel rewards and a great signup bonus
Welcome offer
Welcome offer

50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months

100,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That's $1,250 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Rewards
Rewards

2x miles on United and 1.5x miles on all other purchases

5x points on Lyft, 2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases
Purchase APR
Purchase APR

17.99% to 24.99% variable

15.99% to 22.99% variable

Annual fee
Annual fee $450 $95
Balance transfer APR
Balance transfer APR 17.99% to 24.99% variable 15.99% to 22.99% variable
Cash advance
Cash advance

APR: 26.49% variable

Fee: $10 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater

APR: 24.99% variable

Fee: $10 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
Foreign transaction fee None None
Late payment fee
Late payment fee Up to $38 Up to $40
Additional cardholder fee
Additional cardholder fee $0 $0
Interest-free period
Interest-free period 21 days 21 days
Minimum interest
Minimum interest $0
Minimum credit score
Minimum credit score 670 670
Card type
Card type Credit Credit
Learn more
Learn more

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The winner: it depends

For the general traveler, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is going to be the better pick. It earns comparable points to the United card — more in some cases — without the restrictions of having to fly United.

The United MileagePlus® Club card is best suited to United enthusiasts. The big annual fee largely gets you the luxury perks and amenities that help make your United flights more comfortable and valuable.

But if neither card fits the bill, you have plenty of options to choose from. Compare more travel cards to find the one that best fits your travel and spending needs.

Compare United MileagePlus® Club card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Data updated regularly
Name Product Welcome offer Rewards Annual fee Filter values
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
100,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That's $1,250 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
5x points on Lyft, 2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases
$95

Up to $1,250 signup bonus

 Earn a massive signup bonus of 100,000 points with this popular travel card. That's worth up to $1,250!
Apply now
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