80,000 bonus miles and lounge entry: A evaluation of the United Membership Infinite Card

* Card ranking is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

The United Membership Infinite Card’s $525 annual charge sounds excessive till you issue within the United Membership membership included with the cardboard. Membership usually prices $650 per yr for non-elite members.

As well as, one of many main disadvantages of many airline bank cards is a low return on spending, even on branded purchases, as most airline playing cards solely supply 2 or 3 factors per greenback on airline purchases. However the United Membership Infinite Card units a brand new customary with a powerful 4 factors per greenback on United purchases.

Let’s dive into the top-tier United Membership Infinite Card to see if it is smart for you, particularly now that journey is starting to rebound in earnest.

Official software hyperlink: United Membership Infinite Card with 80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying factors (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Who is that this card for?

The primary concern with this card although is the $525 annual charge. Resulting from this, it might not be the best choice for freshmen or vacationers who aren’t loyal to United.

Signal-up bonus

Whereas this card is a completely separate product from the United Membership Card (which is not open to new candidates), you aren’t in a position to have each playing cards without delay, and sign-up bonuses are restricted to 1 each 24 months. Listed below are the precise eligibility phrases:

This card product is obtainable to you if you happen to should not have any United Membership card and haven’t obtained a brand new Cardmember bonus for any United Membership card prior to now 24 months.

And naturally, it is a card issued by Chase, which suggests it is topic to the issuer’s notorious 5/24 rule. In case you have opened 5 or extra card accounts prior to now 24 months (throughout all issuers, not simply Chase), you’ll most likely be denied for this one.

The knowledge for the United Membership Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

Associated: One of the best playing cards to get after you hit 5/24

Primary perks and advantages

The United Membership Infinite Card mirrors most of the United Membership Card’s journey perks and protections — with one vital addition.

United Membership membership

You’ll additionally have the ability to convey as much as two grownup companions (or one grownup and any dependent youngsters below the age of 21). Contemplating this profit prices as much as $650 every year, this perk alone makes up for the cardboard’s $525 annual charge.

International Entry/TSA PreCheck software charge credit score

When you don’t have already got International Entry or TSA PreCheck, the United Membership Infinite Card will refund your software charge (as much as $100) as soon as each 4 years. Vacationers who have already got the profit can at all times present this perk to a member of the family or good friend.

IHG Platinum standing and a $75 credit score

The first United Membership Infinite cardholder is eligible for complimentary Platinum Elite standing with IHG Rewards. Perks at this standing degree embrace complimentary room upgrades, prolonged checkout and bonus factors on stays.

As well as, cardholders will obtain a $75 assertion credit score for IHG Accommodations & Resorts purchases charged to the cardboard this yr, by means of Dec. 31, 2023.

Associated: The award vacationers information to IHG Rewards

Elite-like perks

The cardboard comes with two free checked baggage (for the first cardholder and one touring companion on the identical reservation paid for with the cardboard), Premier Entry (which incorporates precedence entry for check-in, safety screening the place out there, boarding and baggage dealing with), 25% again on United inflight purchases, expanded award availability and extra.

In case you have United elite standing, these perks might not be as compelling. However for many who have but to earn it, these are invaluable advantages to have.

10% mileage low cost

The first United Membership Infinite cardmember will even have the ability to e book economic system Saver Awards on United flights throughout the continental U.S. and Canada for 10% fewer miles than awards out there to most people.

If you’re a Membership Infinite cardholder, you will notice the mileage distinction as soon as logged in to your MileagePlus account. For instance, a Saver Award could present as 5,000 miles if you end up not signed in, however the identical award will present as 4,500 miles if signed in to your account.

This dietary supplements the present perk of entry to expanded award availability for all United cobranded cardholders.

Associated: Easy methods to unlock extra award availability with United

Elite standing spending shortcut

United Membership Infinite cardholders can earn as much as 4,000 Premier qualifying factors per calendar yr. You earn 500 PQPs per $12,000 spent in your card. After all, that may require spending a whopping $96,000 to completely maximize, however nonetheless is likely to be inside attain for some.

Journey and buy protections

With this card, you’re getting varied journey safety advantages, together with:

Rental automobile privileges

Main cardholders can join complimentary Avis President’s Membership membership, which usually requires an invite to affix. President’s Membership members obtain complimentary upgrades of two automobile courses, assured automobile availability while you e book at the very least 24 hours upfront and expedited rental service.

Associated: Easy methods to earn miles with the United Airways MileagePlus program

Incomes miles

The incomes charges on the United Membership Infinite Card are what in the end set it other than different cobranded airline bank cards.

Cardholders accrue:

That’s a 4.84% return on United spending (based mostly on TPG valuations), increased than every other airline bank card out there.

Associated: One of the best airline bank cards

Since Chase is the issuing financial institution, the journey and eating classes are broadly outlined, simply as they’re with Final Rewards bank cards such because the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Most popular Card.

In case you have both of these playing cards, you’ll need to use these for basic journey and eating spending, since Chase Final Rewards factors are price greater than United miles. However if you happen to don’t have already got both of these playing cards, you’ll nonetheless have the ability to earn rewards on these purchases with the United Membership Infinite Card.

Associated: All of the methods to earn miles with the United MileagePlus program

Redeeming miles

However there are different methods to seek out worth in this system, such because the United Excursionist Perk or reserving companion awards with United miles. United doesn’t go on gas surcharges on companion awards, which might prevent tons of of {dollars} per ticket when reserving awards like first-class tickets on Lufthansa.

Associated: Maximizing redemptions with United MileagePlus

Backside line

When you spend hundreds of {dollars} on United flights every year, the United Membership Infinite Card is price contemplating. You’re getting a fantastic incomes fee for a cobranded card, a robust lineup of perks, United Membership entry and stable journey protections.

Use this chance to start out stockpiling MileagePlus miles on your subsequent dream vacation spot.

Further reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Stella Shon and Chris Dong.