United Club℠ Infinite Card Review: The Card for Lounge Access

The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers unlimited lounge access, high rewards and premium travel perks. There’s a hefty annual fee, but it’s easy to justify if you fly often and actually use the lounge.

Updated: November 20, 2024

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a top choice if you fly United often enough that you can qualify for elite status. With this card, you’ll enjoy United Club membership, priority boarding and free checked bags. Plus, you’ll earn 4X miles on United purchases — one of the highest rates available — letting you earn elite status quicker.

While the $525 annual fee may seem steep, it's actually less than the cost of a standalone United Club membership. For most United travelers, the United℠ Explorer Card is sufficient. But if you’re always up in the air on a United plane, the United Club Infinite Card is essential.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ of 5

Rates & Fees

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On Issuer's Site

Rewards Summary

Earn 1X–4X miles

Regular APR

21.49%–28.49% variable

Annual Fee

$525

Intro Offer

90,000 bonus miles

Recommended Credit

740–850 (excellent)

PROS
- Unlimited lounge access
- High rewards rate
- Big intro bonus
- Premium travel perks
CONS
- Annual fee
- Limited transfer partners
- Introductory Offers
  - Limited-time Offer: Earn 90,000 United MileagePlus Miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
- Rewards
  - Earn 4X miles on United purchases.
  - Earn 2X miles on all other travel and dining.
  - Earn 1X mile on all other purchases.
- Perks & Benefits
  - Enjoy United Club membership, valued at up to $650 per year.
  - Get free first and second checked bags, saving up to $360 per roundtrip.
  - Access Premier Access travel services.
  - Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points annually, with 25 PQP for every $500 spent.

United Club℠ Infinite Card Detailed Review

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is designed for frequent travellers who fly United Airlines often enough that lounge access is worth it. With this card, you'll enjoy United Club membership, priority boarding and free checked bags. It also stands out with a generous 4X miles on United purchases, surpassing the typical 3X rate offered by many co-branded cards.

As United’s flagship card, it’s packed with valuable benefits. You can earn a substantial limited-time offer of 90,000 United MileagePlus Miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months — equivalent to $1,120 when redeemed for flights. The card also includes comprehensive travel insurance, credits for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS and no foreign transaction fees.

However, the card comes with a $525 annual fee. If you’re an occasional traveller, the United℠ Explorer Card might be a better fit, offering a more affordable annual fee with the option for lounge access. Meanwhile, consider the United Quest℠ Card if you’re only focused on earning elite status and can forgo lounge access for a more affordable annual fee.

United MileagePlus Earning and Redemption

The United Club Infinite is one of the rare cards that allows you to earn 4X miles from flights. It also offers high rewards in other categories:

4x miles on United® purchases
2x miles on all other travel and dining
1x mile on all other purchases

The card lets you earn United MileagePlus miles, which can be redeemed for United airfare, hotel stays, rental cars, gift cards and more. Redeeming for United flights and seat upgrades gives you the best value for your miles at 1.25 cents per mile. Miles never expire, giving you flexibility with planning your redemptions.

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When you book a flight with United, you'll earn miles at a rate of 5X to 11X, depending on your membership tier. By using the United Club Infinite Card to pay for your ticket, you can earn an additional 4X miles. This means that if you’re a basic member, you could rack up a total of 9X miles per dollar spent on your flight.

Does It Earn Qualifying Points for United Premier Status?

The United Club Infinite Card allows you to earn Premier qualifying points (PQP) that contribute to your MileagePlus Premier status.

All your purchases from the card earn 25 PQPs for every $500, with the ability to accumulate up to 10,000 PQPs per year. This is enough for you to qualify for Premier Gold status. However, to achieve Gold status, you’ll need to spend $200,000 in total with your card. It’s better to think of the PQPs you earn through spending as tailwinds to getting Premier status.

United Club Infinite Miles Estimator

Use this calculator to estimate the value of the miles you could earn with the United Club Infinite Card. Enter your estimated spending in each category to see how many miles you can earn.

Important Disclaimers:

This calculator is for planning and evaluation purposes and not sponsored or endorsed by Chase.
Some of your purchases may not be eligible for earning points.
The value of points at redemption will vary.

How much do you spend on United airfare per YEAR? (4x miles)

How much do you spend on car rentals per YEAR? (2x miles)

How much do you spend on hotels per YEAR? (2x miles)

How much do you spend on dining per MONTH? (2x miles)

How much do you spend on other purchases per MONTH? (1x miles)

Miles Earned From the Card:0

Estimated Miles Value:0 cents

Value of Miles:$0

Benefits and Perks

The United Quest℠ Card is chock full of benefits that cater to frequent United flyers, including the following highlights:

Unlimited Lounge Access: The card comes with a United Club membership, which offers unlimited access to over 45 United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide. These lounges provide a quiet, comfortable space with complimentary bar service, snacks and Wi-Fi. Considering that a one-time lounge pass is $59 and full membership is $650, the card quickly pays for itself if you frequently fly and need lounge access.

Intro-Up Bonus: You can earn a limited-time offer of 90,000 United MileagePlus Miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months. If you redeem these miles for flights, they could be worth up to $1,120 — enough for a roundtrip ticket to Europe.

High Rewards Rate: The United Club Infinite Card stands out with 4X miles on United purchases — an impressive rate, especially when many airline cards cap their rewards at 3X for branded purchases. The 2X miles on travel and dining is another strong feature, particularly because the travel category is broadly defined. You’ll earn high rewards on a wide range of expenses, including non-United airfare, trains, local transit, hotels, car rentals, taxis, rideshares, cruises and tolls.

Premium Travel Perks: The card offers up to $120 in statement credits every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS. As a cardholder, you’ll also enjoy IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, which provides valuable hotel perks like complimentary room upgrades, late check-out and bonus points on stays at IHG properties. Additionally, the card grants you Avis President's Club membership, giving you access to premium car rental benefits such as guaranteed upgrades and expedited service.

Travel Insurance: The United Club Infinite comes with a comprehensive set of travel insurance coverages that can be a lifesaver for frequent travelers. It includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

Drawbacks and Considerations

Before deciding if the United Club Infinite Card is right for you, consider the following drawbacks:

High Annual Fee: The card’s $525 annual fee is its most significant drawback. Although this fee is lower than the cost of a standalone United Club membership, it could be a dealbreaker if you don’t travel frequently enough to make it worthwhile. If you’re seeking a more affordable United card with lounge access, the United℠ Explorer Card might be a better option.

Limited Rewards Flexibility: The United MileagePlus miles you earn with this card are primarily valuable for United-related purchases, making the rewards less flexible than those of other travel cards. If you prefer more versatile redemption options, this card might not suit your needs. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® also offers lounge access but provides greater flexibility when using your rewards.

How the United Club Infinite Compares

We compare the United Club Infinite Card with other United co-branded cards to help you determine which one aligns best with your travel habits and priorities.

	United Club℠ Infinite Card	United Quest℠ Card	United℠ Explorer Card
Annual Fee	$525	$250	$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Airport Lounge Access	Annual membership to all United Club locations, plus select Star Alliance lounges	None	Two United Club one-time passes each year
Intro Bonus	Limited-time offer: Earn 90,000 United MileagePlus Miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months.	Limited-time offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months.	Limited-time offer: Earn 60,000 United MileagePlus Miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
Rewards on United Airlines Purchases	Four miles	Three miles	Two miles
Rewards on Other Categories	2X miles on all other travel. 2X miles on dining. 2X miles on hotel stays booked through United Hotels. 1X miles on all other purchases.	2X miles on all other travel (including other airlines, hotels, car rentals and more). 2X miles on dining (including takeout and delivery). 2X miles on select streaming services. 2X miles on hotel stays booked through United Hotels. 1X miles on all other purchases.	2X miles at restaurants. 2X miles on hotels (when booked directly with the hotel). 1X miles on hotel stays booked through United Hotels. 1X miles on all other purchases.
Free Checked Bags	First and second checked bags are free for you and one companion on your reservation	First and second checked bags free for you and one companion on your reservation	First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation
Priority Boarding	Yes	Yes	Yes
Credit for TSA Precheck, Global Entry or Nexus	Up to $120 every four years	Up to $120 every four years	Up to $120 every four years
Statement credit	None	Receive up to $125 in statement credits each account anniversary year as reimbursement for United purchases	None
Does it Earn PQP Points?	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Learn more	Read our review	Read our review

We also compare the United Club Infinite with another travel card to help you make an informed choice.

United Club Infinite vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass. It also earns 10X points on dining and hotels booked through Chase, 5X on flights booked via Chase and 3X on all other travel and dining purchases. Additionally, the points are transferable to various airline and hotel partners, including United, offering flexibility in how you redeem your rewards. With a $300 annual travel credit that helps offset its $550 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a strong option for those who value flexible rewards and extensive lounge access.

MoneyGeek Rating

1/ of 5

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rates & Fees

Cards to Pair With the United Club Infinite

Pairing your United Club Infinite with other cards can be a smart strategy for maximizing the rewards you receive from your purchases.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express

Pairing the United Club Infinite with a no-annual-fee card like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express can be a wise strategy. The Blue Cash Everyday offers 3% cash back on U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail and U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.— high-spend categories that aren’t covered by the United Club Infinite’s bonus rates. And the cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.Using the United Club Infinite for travel and dining and the Blue Cash Everyday for everyday expenses, you can maximize your rewards across all purchases. Plus, adding the Blue Cash Everyday to your wallet doesn’t cost anything, making it an easy way to boost your overall rewards.

MoneyGeek Rating

1/ of 5

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rates & Fees

Is the United Club Infinite Worth Getting?

If you’re loyal to United and want access to an airport lounge, the United Club Infinite is a must-have. The travel perks and high rewards rate on United purchases (which helps you earn elite status) easily justify its annual fee. However, not everyone needs an airport lounge membership or a card with a $525 fee. For most United travelers, the United Explorer Card will likely meet your needs. But if you’re a frequent traveler looking for lounge access without being tied to United, consider exploring other airline card options.

MoneyGeek Rating

4.8/ of 5

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rates & Fees

All United Club Infinite Card Comparisons

United Club℠ Infinite Card Details

Feature	Details
Card Uses	Airline General Travel
Annual Fee	$525
Introductory Offer	Earn 90,000 United MileagePlus Miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
Introductory APRs	None
Rewards	Earn 4x miles on United® purchases Earn 2x miles on all other travel and dining Earn 1x mile on all other purchases
Regular APRs	21.49% - 28.49% variable
Penalty APR	Up to 29.99%
Balance Transfer Fees	Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Late Fees	Up to $40
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Other Perks	Comes with a United Club membership that provides access to United Club lounges, valued at up to $650 annually. The card covers the cost of the first and second checked bags for both you and a companion, potentially saving up to $360 per roundtrip. Premier Access® travel services include priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding and baggage handling. Receive a $120 statement credit every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS, which can help expedite your airport experience. Get 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases made on board United-operated flights. Enjoy IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, which includes benefits like room upgrades, extended check-out and bonus points on IHG stays. Receive $75 in statement credits for IHG purchases each year, which can be applied to hotel stays, dining or other expenses at IHG properties. The card includes Avis President's Club membership, offering perks like car rental upgrades and expedited service. Travel insurance provides financial protection during travel by covering trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delay, lost luggage reimbursement and trip delay reimbursement. Visa Infinite® Concierge Services are available for assistance with travel planning, dining reservations, event tickets and more. Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver provides coverage for rental car damage due to collision or theft. Enjoy a complimentary one-year DashPass membership for DoorDash and Caviar, offering free delivery and reduced service fees on qualifying orders.

How We Evaluated the United Club Infinite Card

We reviewed the United Club Infinite Card alongside 20 other airline cards, concentrating on key features. Our scoring is based on the following weights:

Expected Value for Travelers (40%): Measures rewards and perks minus annual fees.
Airline Scope (20%): Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to.
Offer ROI (15%): Assesses the return on investment from introductory bonus offers.
Airline Rewards Rate (10%): Evaluates rewards earned on airline expenditures.
Foreign Transaction Fees (5%): Rates the presence of foreign transaction fees.
Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Based on J.D. Power's issuer satisfaction study.
Recommended Credit (5%): Availability to different credit scores.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express, please click here.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

Read Full Bio »

sources

American Express. "Blue Cash Everyday® Card." Accessed November 20, 2024.
Chase. "Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card." Accessed November 20, 2024.
Chase. "United Club Infinite Credit Card." Accessed November 20, 2024.
Chase. "United Explorer Credit Card." Accessed November 20, 2024.
Chase. "United Gateway Card." Accessed November 20, 2024.
Chase. "United Quest Card." Accessed November 20, 2024.

*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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