2021 Review: United Business Card – Great Overall Value
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United℠ Business Card
The United Business Card provides a solid value for its annual fee. Along with the typical miles at United, cardholders get limited access to United Clubs and a variety of other valuable airline perks.
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Our Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars
Why We Like It
- 2X miles per dollar for United purchases, plus other bonus categories
- First checked bag free for you and a companion
- Priority boarding
- 25% in-flight discount
- Two United Club one-time passes
- 5,000 bonus miles per year if you also have a personal United credit card
- No foreign transaction fee
Why It Could Be Better
- Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
Insider Advice: Getting the Most Out of Your Card
- Stack miles with United: The United Business card provides 2X miles per dollar for United flights on top of any miles you’d earn from your regular member status. You’ll get that same rate in a number of other handy business categories, too, like office supplies and transit.
- Stand in line? Not today: Cardholders get free Priority Boarding (and so does everyone else on the same reservation), a perk that usually isn’t available for Basic Economy and, as of publication, usually costs $15 per person.
- Take a load off: If you’ve ever had airport lounge envy, now’s your chance to see what all the fuss is about with two United Club passes each year. United Clubs offer a relaxing place to work, with high-speed internet access and private phone booths, beverages (including alcohol) and snacks, and assistance with reservations. Lounge access is nice to have on a credit card; see the best cards for lounge access here.
- Save before you board and in the air: You’ll save money on every flight by getting your first checked bag free, for both you and a companion. During the flight you’ll get 25% off food, beverages, and WiFi, making long hauls a bit more tolerable.
- More than the sum of their parts: You’ll get 5,000 bonus miles every year after your cardmember anniversary if you have any of the personal United credit cards as well, like the United℠ Explorer Card (Review). That’s like getting an easy $50–$100 per year.
- If something goes wrong, check your card benefits: The United Business card comes with a nice set of travel and shopping protections, like trip delay and baggage delay reimbursement. Eligible auto rentals even get primary coverage when renting for business purposes, as long as you decline the agency’s own insurance.
The Rewards
| Spending Rewards |
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| Introductory Bonus |
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The Benefits
- Free first checked bag: You and one companion get your first standard checked bags free on United flights.
- Priority Boarding: Include your MileagePlus number on your reservation to get primary boarding for you and all of your companions on your reservation, for United and United Express-operated flights.
- 25% in-flight discount: Get 25% back (in the form of a statement credit) for eligible purchases on United and United Express-operated flights. Eligible purchases include food, beverages, and WiFi.
- Two United Club passes: Each year you’ll get two United Club passes, which can be accessed via the United app or printed from United.com. Passes must be presented for entry.
- $100 United travel credit: For each year that you make seven or more United travel-related purchases (each totaling $100 or more), you’ll earn a $100 United flight credit on your cardmember anniversary. Flight-related purchases include seat upgrades, in-flight food, beverages, and WiFi, baggage service charges, and other United fees.
- 5,000 mile better-together anniversary bonus: If you have a personal United credit card as well, you’ll automatically get 5,000 bonus miles every year after your cardmember anniversary.
- Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: Reserve through the LHRC to get perks at eligible properties like daily breakfast for two, complimentary WiFi, early check-in/late checkout, and a benefit worth up to $100.
- Visa Signature Concierge: Call your concierge anytime for non-emergency help with tasks like finding good travel deals, trip research, and making reservations.
- Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance: Get up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip if your plans are canceled or cut short by covered situations, such as sickness or severe weather.
- Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your trip is delayed by more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you can get up to $500 per ticket for unreimbursed expenses like meals and lodging.
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement: If your checked or carry-on bags are damaged or lost by the carrier, you can be reimbursed up to $3,000 per passenger.
- Baggage Delay Insurance: If your bags don’t arrive when you do, you can be reimbursed up to $100 per day for three days for essential items like toiletries and clothing.
- Travel Accident Insurance: You’re covered up to $500,000 for accidental death and dismemberment when traveling by air, bus, train, or cruise.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Get coverage for theft and collision damage of rental cars if you decline the agency’s own coverage and pay for the entire rental with the card. This coverage is primary when renting for business purposes.
- Roadside Assistance: You’re covered up to $50 per incident, four times per year, in the event of an eligible roadside emergency (towing, jumpstarts, tire changes, locksmith, gas, etc.).
- Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: Call for legal and medical referrals when away from home, or if you need emergency assistance.
- Purchase Protection: Eligible new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage and theft, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended Warranty Protection: Get up to one year added to eligible manufacturer’s warranties of three years or less.
The Terms & Fees
| Purchase APR | Balance Transfer APR | Cash Advance APR |
|---|---|---|
| 16.49% - 23.49% Variable | 16.49% - 23.49% Variable | 24.99% Variable |
| Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|
| $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 | $0 |
| Balance Transfer Fee | Cash Advance Fee |
|---|---|
| Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. | Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater. |
| Penalty APR | Late Fee | Returned Payment Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 29.99% Variable | $39 | $39 |
How Do I Apply for the United Business Card?
Select the “How to Apply” button below to begin your application.
Most applicants will get a decision right away, but in some cases Chase may request more information.
What Credit Scores Do You Need to Get the United Business Card?
The United Business card is rated for excellent credit, which usually refers to FICO scores of at least 800, or VantageScores of at least 750.
But you don’t necessarily need scores like that to get approved; factors like business revenue and personal income play a role, along with others. So you may be approved with lower scores, or denied with higher scores.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Must be 18 to apply
- Personal information: Name, date of birth, address, Social Security number or Employer Identification Number, personal income
- Business information: Authorizing officer title, business name, business financials
- United MileagePlus number (optional)
Brendan Harkness
Brendan has been writing about personal finance for over eight years, and is now taking on the challenge of bringing high quality credit education to the masses. He makes sure that Credit Card Insider is covering the most important credit topics transparently and precisely, and that we have up-to-date reviews of credit cards so you can find cards that are right for you.
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