United℠ Business Card Review

There are many reasons business owners should consider opening a business credit card. They can boost their company’s credit rating and improve cash flow. Plus, it’s always a good idea to keep personal and business finances separate.

Small business owners should consider the United^SM Business Credit Card for its generous welcome offer and reasonable annual fee.

United^SM Business Credit Card Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Anniversary credit and bonus miles
• No foreign transaction fees
• A multitude of travel-related perks
• No cost for employee cards

Cons:

• Less flexibility with rewards
• No intro APR offer
• Not ideal for everyday purchases

United^SM Business Card Review

• Annual Fee: $0 first year, $99 subsequently
• Regular APR: 16.49 to 23.49% variable
• Rewards: Earn 2x miles on United Airlines purchases; 2x miles on dining, gas stations, office supply stores, local transit; 1x miles on all other purchases
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None
• Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 bonus miles

United^SM Business Card Rewards

Earning Rewards

Like most other credit cards, you earn miles based on your purchases, minus refunds or returns. There is a 1 to 1 ratio of earning rewards for basic purchases. One point for one mile. On top of that, you’ll earn 2x the miles on United purchases, including tickets, in-flight food and beverages, Wi-Fi, and any upgrades. You’ll also earn 2x the miles on restaurants, gas stations, local transit, and office supply stores. Note: United Airlines tickets bought through a third-party website do not qualify for rewards.

One inviting feature of this business card is the extra 5,000 miles you’re eligible to receive on account opening anniversary if you also have a personal United credit card.

Additionally, you can earn an annual $100 United travel credit on each anniversary if you make seven United flight travel-related purchases during the year. Each purchase must be $100 or more to receive credit, and eligible purchases include:

• In-flight food and beverages (which also get 25% back in credit)
• Seat upgrades
• Wi-Fi (25% back in credit)
• Baggage charges

Redeeming Rewards

Use of the United^SM Business Card produces United MileagePlus miles, which can be redeemed for award flights on United or its partners.

Cardmembers can also use miles on purchases, but the redemption rate is very poor. According to Forbes Advisor, it amounts to only $0.23 per mile.

United^SM Business Card Features and Benefits

75,000 Bonus Miles Welcome Offer

After spending $5,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months of account opening, you’ll receive 75,000 bonus miles anywhere from six to eight weeks later.

Accepted purchases exclude cash advances, balance transfers, and the annual fee. In addition, money orders, wire transfers, or the purchase of traveler’s checks and foreign currency are excluded.

Finally, the purchase of lottery tickets, casino chips, or other betting transactions doesn’t count. Keep in mind these types of purchases aren’t eligible to earn ANY miles on a UnitedSM Business card, not just bonus miles.

Free Checked Bags

The cardmember and one traveling companion (on the same reservation) receive their first standard checked bag free, which is calculated at a $35 value, each way, per person. That means you could save up to $140 roundtrip. Just know if you overpack your suitcase on accident, you’re responsible for those extra baggage fees.

Employee Cards

You can allow your employees to use your account with their own credit cards. It’s free, and you can assign spending limits on each additional card. All rewards are credited to the primary business account, not individual authorized signers.

Priority Boarding

You and your traveling companion are eligible to board United-operated flights before general boarding.

Limited Lounge Access

As long as your card remains open, two one-time United Club passes will be credited to your MileagePlus Program account each year. Each pass is worth $59 and allows one-time access to a United Club location.

How Does United^SM Business Credit Card Compare to Other Cards?

When shopping for a credit card, it pays to do your research. That’s why you’re here, right? Check out these comparisons to get an idea of what else is available, especially if you’re not a regular on United flights.

#1. United^SM Business Card vs. Capital One Spark Cash Plus

There are four types of Spark Cash cards for businesses, but let’s consider the 2% Capital One Spark Cash Plus card, where you can earn an unlimited 2% cash back on every single purchase.

What’s so unique about the Spark Cash Plus card is the lack of APR because the balance is due in full each month.

They charge a 2.99% monthly late fee as applicable. You’ll need excellent credit to be considered for the Spark 2% Cash Plus card, but Capital One does accept lower credit scores for their less rewarding Spark Cash cards.

If you compare the United^SM Business Card and Capital One’s Spark Cash Plus card, the latter has a higher annual fee of $150. But with so many reward categories, business owners should consider the Spark card for more flexibility in earning rewards.

#2. United^SM Business Card vs. Ink Business Preferred®

The Ink Business Preferred® credit card is also offered through Chase and offers more flexibility than the United^SM Business Card. The Ink Business Preferred® charges a similar annual fee ($95) but accrues rewards differently. You’ll receive 3x the points on the first $150,000 spent on the following purchases:

• Travel
• Shipping
• Internet, Cable, & Phone Services
• Social Media & Search Engine Advertising

On all other purchases, you earn 1 point per dollar with no cap and no expiration. The Ink Business Preferred® misses out on United benefits, but you’ll get Chase Ultimate Rewards points which can be used on applicable hotel and airline partners of Chase.

#3. United^SM Business Card vs. Capital One Spark Miles

The Capital One Spark Miles card has a simpler earning arrangement than the United card, offering 2x the Spark miles on nearly all purchases.

You can earn 5x the Spark miles on all hotel and rental car reservations booked through Capital One Travel. Unfortunately, 2 Spark miles equals 1.5 airline miles or hotel points for most travel partners, so just be aware it’s not a 1:1 ratio.

Both cards have similar annual fees of $0 initially and then $99 for the United^SM Business Card and $95 for the Capital One Spark Miles card. Capital One offers a bonus of 50,000 miles on $4,500 spent in the first three months of account opening.

#4. United^SM Business Card vs. Ink Business Unlimited®

Not to be confused with the Ink Business Preferred®, the Ink Business Unlimited® version has no annual fee and offers an unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on each dollar spent. You can redeem your rewards for cash, gift cards, travel, and certain products and services.

You can earn $750 bonus cash back after spending $7,500 in the first three months of account opening.

Finally, Chase is offering a 0% introductory APR with a variable rate slightly lower than the United^SM Business Card, making the Ink Business Unlimited® card a better choice for business owners who travel less.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Credit Score Do You Need for Chase United^SM Business Card Card?

Good to excellent, or between 690 and 850.

Is the Chase United^SM Business Credit Card Worth It?

The United^SM Business Card features a lot of travel-related perks. The primary collision damage waiver for rental cars is a reimbursement up to the vehicle’s cash value for damage and theft, as long as it’s used for business purposes. Check out the other great perks:

• Lost Luggage Reimbursement – get up to $3,000 per passenger for checked and carry-on luggage damaged or lost by the airline.
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance – get up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip back when a trip is canceled or shortened due to sickness or severe weather.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You and your family are covered for meals and lodging if your flight is delayed by more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay. Up to $500 per ticket.
• Baggage Delay Insurance – get up to $100 back per day for three days’ worth of essential purchases when your bag is delayed by six or more hours.

As a cardmember, you’re eligible for a complimentary premier upgrade on select United flights, but unfortunately, any travel companions or authorized card users are not. Nevertheless, this card is worth the application for travelers.

Does United^SM Business Card Have an Annual Fee?

$99 yearly after $0 introductory year.

Bottom Line: United^SM Business Card Review

The United^SM Business Card offers plenty of benefits for travelers, especially if you’re loyal to United. Awards and benefits are subject to change, but the 75,000 bonus miles offered at account opening is a generous deal you should take advantage of if you’re on the fence about this card.

If frequent travel isn’t part of your business role, consider other credit cards that will give you more flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards.