United Club Infinite Card review: United Club lounge access and elite airline benefits

United Club Infinite Card overview

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is the ideal card for United Club lounge access — bar none. If you're a loyal United flyer who spends a significant amount of money with the airline each year, this card will make a great addition to your wallet. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is 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 included with the card. Membership normally costs $650 per year for non-elite members.

In addition, one of the primary disadvantages of many airline credit cards is a low return on spending, even on 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 miles per dollar on United purchases.

The recommended credit score for the United Club card is at least 740, but it may be possible to get approved with a lower credit score.

Let's dive into the top-tier United Club Infinite Card to see if it makes sense for you.

United Club Infinite pros and cons

United Club Infinite welcome offer

New United Club Infinite cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.

Based on TPG's October 2024 valuations of United miles at 1.3 cents per mile, these bonus miles alone are worth a solid $1,040 toward air travel.

While this card is an entirely separate product from the United Club Card (which is no longer open to new applicants), you aren't able to have both cards at once, and welcome bonuses are limited to one every 24 months. Here are the exact eligibility terms:

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This is a card issued by Chase, which means it's subject to the issuer's infamous 5/24 rule. If you have opened five or more card accounts in the past 24 months (across all issuers, not just Chase), you will probably be denied for this one.

The information for the United Club Card has been collected independently 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

United Club Infinite benefits

The United Club Infinite Card mirrors many of the United Club Card's travel perks and protections — with one significant addition.

United Club membership

The high point of the United Club Infinite Card is a United Club membership, which grants you unlimited access to United Clubs and select Star Alliance lounges when flying United and its partners.

You'll also be able to bring up to two adult companions (or one adult and any dependent children under the age of 21). Considering this benefit costs up to $650 each year, this perk alone makes up for the card's $525 annual fee.

Of course, if you don't fly with United at least a few times each year, it can be difficult to get proper value out of this benefit.

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit

If you don't already have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, the United Club Infinite Card will refund your application fee (up to $100) once every four years. Travelers who already have the benefit can always gift this perk to a family member or friend.

IHG Platinum status and a $75 credit

The primary United Club Infinite cardholder is eligible for complimentary Platinum Elite status with IHG Rewards. Perks at this status level include complimentary room upgrades, extended checkout and bonus points on stays.

In addition, cardholders will receive a $75 statement credit for IHG Hotels & Resorts purchases charged to the card this year through Dec. 31.

Related: The award travelers guide to IHG Rewards

Elitelike perks

The card comes with two free checked bags (for the primary cardholder and one traveling companion on the same reservation paid for with the card), Premier Access (which includes priority access for check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling where available), 25% back on United inflight purchases, expanded award availability and more.

If you have United elite status, these perks may not be as compelling. But for those who have yet to earn it, these are valuable benefits.

One TPG reader finds that the benefits for United flyers help offset the higher annual fee.

"it's an expensive card but worth it for the perks; if you live near a United hub (i.e. SFO, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Chicago) and fly several times per year, then the benefits can justify the costs of the card." — Lissa M via Facebook

Note: Reader-submitted responses have not been edited, reviewed or approved by the issuers nor reflect TPG's opinions of these cards.

Frequent United flyers, particularly those who live close to airports with a United Club and select Star Alliance lounges, can find value in the perks that go along with the higher annual fee.

10% mileage discount

The primary United Club Infinite cardmember will also be able to book economy Saver Awards on United flights within the continental U.S. and Canada for 10% fewer miles than awards available to the general public.

If you are a Club Infinite cardholder, you will see the mileage difference once logged in to your MileagePlus account. For example, a Saver Award may show as 5,000 miles when you are not signed in, but the same award will show as 4,500 miles if signed in to your account.

This supplements the existing perk of access to expanded award availability for all United cobranded cardholders.

Related: How to unlock additional award availability with United

Elite status spending shortcut

United Club Infinite cardholders can earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year. You earn 25 PQPs per $500 spent on your card. Of course, that will require spending a whopping $200,000 to fully maximize, but it still might be within reach for some.

Travel and purchase protections

With this card, you're getting various travel protection benefits, including:

• Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Return protection

Rental car privileges

Primary cardholders can sign up for complimentary Avis President's Club membership, which typically requires a significant amount of spend with Avis to achieve. President's Club members receive complimentary upgrades of two car classes, guaranteed car availability when you book at least 24 hours in advance and expedited rental service.

DoorDash

Cardholders get a one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. You must enroll by Dec. 31.

Related: How to earn miles with the United Airlines MileagePlus program

Earning miles on the United Club Infinite

The earning rates on the United Club Infinite are what ultimately set it apart from other cobranded airline credit cards.

Cardholders accrue:

• 9 miles per dollar on United purchases (5 miles earned as a MileagePlus member, plus 4 miles earned from this card)
• 4 miles on hotel stays booked through United Hotels (2 miles earned as a MileagePlus member, plus 2 miles earned from the United Club Infinite)
• 2 miles per dollar on all other travel
• 2 miles per dollar on dining purchases
• 1 mile per dollar on everything else

That's an 11.7% return on United spending (based on TPG's October 2024 valuations), higher than any other airline credit card.

Since Chase is the issuing bank, the travel and dining categories are broadly defined, just as they are with Ultimate Rewards credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

If you have either of those cards, you'll want to use those for general travel and dining spending since Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth more than United miles, according to TPG's valuations.

But if you don't already have either of those cards, you'll still be able to earn rewards on those purchases with the United Club Infinite Card.

Redeeming miles on the United Club Infinite

When you are ready to redeem miles, United does have some sweet spots in its MileagePlus program. Unfortunately, United no longer publishes an award chart, which means award redemption rates can be unpredictable.

However, there are other ways to find value in the program, such as utilizing the United Excursionist Perk or booking partner awards with United miles. United doesn't pass on fuel surcharges on partner awards, which can save you hundreds of dollars per ticket when booking awards like first-class tickets on Lufthansa.

TPG senior writer for cruises Ashley Kosciolek recently redeemed 28,500 United miles for a round-trip flight between Newark Liberty International Airport and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Miles aren't just great for business class international flights; they're also very useful for domestic trips.

Related: Maximizing redemptions with United MileagePlus

Which cards compete with the United Club Infinite?

There are a number of cards that are competitive with the United Club Infinite:

• If you want a lower annual fee: The United℠ Explorer Card is packed with premium perks such as an up-to-$100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit, two annual one-time lounge passes and your first checked bag free — easily justifying its modest $95 annual fee, waived for the first year. To learn more, read our full review of the United Explorer.
• If you want a more all-around card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the best-known travel rewards credit cards, earning 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and on Lyft purchases (Lyft purchases through March 2025), 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
• If you want tons of perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the top premium travel rewards cards. As a cardmember, you'll earn valuable Membership Rewards points, receive a number of annual statement credits each calendar year and enjoy access to an extensive network of airport lounges worldwide. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply. To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.

For additional options, check out our full list of the best United travel cards and best airline cards.

Read more: Why you'll want to pay the $95 annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Bottom line

If you fly on United flights multiple times each year, the United Club Infinite Card is worth considering. You're getting a great earning rate for a cobranded card, a strong lineup of perks, United Club access and solid travel protections.

Make sure to take this opportunity to start stockpiling MileagePlus miles for your next dream destination.

Apply here: United Club Infinite Card

Related: United Club Infinite Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve