The United Business Credit Card is a valuable credit card for traveling business owners who tend to be United loyalists and don’t want to pay an excessive annual fee. For the
$99 annual fee (waived the first year) cardholders get a free first checked bag on United flights, 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, and the combination of 5,000 bonus miles and 2 free United Club lounge passes every account anniversary.
New cardholders also get a welcome bonus of
75,000 miles. For context, United Airlines miles are worth an average of
1.14 cents per mile.
Like many travel cards with annual fees, the value of the United Business Credit Card will depend on how well you can take advantage of its perks. And as with most rewards cards, carrying a balance on the United Business Credit Card will quickly negate its ongoing rewards. But cardholders who pay in full will likely find a good travel card in the United Business Credit Card, thanks to its rewards, United travel perks, and
$0 foreign fees. Plus, its place on the Visa network means the United Business Credit Card is accepted in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
United Business Card Review Highlights
Low Annual Fee
Although the United Business Credit Card’s annual fee of
$99 is higher than the
average credit card’s annual fee, it's waived the first year. Plus, what cardholders can get in return will more than cover the extra cost.
Hefty Initial Bonus
Cardholders who can spend
$5,000 in the first
3 months will get a whopper of a bonus:
75,000 miles. That could be worth quite a few flights.
Decent Ongoing Rewards
In addition to 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, cardholders get 2 miles for every $1 spent at gas stations, office supply stores and restaurants (including eligible delivery services), as well as on local transit and commuting fares. All other purchases get 1 mile per $1 spent.
Immediate United Freebies
After approval, cardholders will receive 2 free passes to United Club airport lounges. Plus, cardholders (and a companion) get their first checked bag free on all United flights, along with a 25% rebate on inflight purchases.
Annual Bonuses Abound
The United Business Credit Card will keep on giving, far past the initial bonus and freebies. Every year after renewing card membership, cardholders get 2 more United Club lounge passes, and an extra 5,000 bonus miles (if you also have a personal Chase United card). Plus, every year a cardholder makes 7 United flight-related purchases of at least $100 each, they’ll take home a $100 United travel credit.
Ties Cardholders to United
It may seem obvious, but it’s worth noting: To get the most value out of the United Business Credit Card, cardholders must fly United.
Many of the card’s most convenient perks - including the travel credit bonus, 25% rebate on inflight purchases, free checked bags, and priority boarding - are worthless unless the cardholder is buying United airfare or flying with United. And all those bonus miles are worth less when they aren’t redeemed for United airfare. That said, the United Club lounge passes can be used when cardholders are flying with United partner airlines, too.
Does Not Carry a Balance Well
The United Business Credit Card has a regular APR range of
21.99% to 28.99% (V), which isn’t exactly low-interest. Carrying a balance on this card will quickly eat into your hard-earned rewards as a result.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, business owners who make even a semi-frequent habit of flying United will get lots of value out of this card. As long as you don’t carry a balance and can meet the initial-bonus spending requirement, the free flights you can earn will be worth the cost.
Just bear in mind that the United Business Credit Card requires at least
good credit for approval. You can
check your credit score for free on WalletHub to get a sense of whether or not you’re likely to qualify before you apply.
Note: This review is not provided, commissioned or endorsed by any issuer. Opinions and ratings are our own.