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3. United Club℠ Infinite Card review: Is it the airline’s friendliest card?

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2 reviews from Intuit Credit Karma members

5

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Great for United Club access

Annual Fee: $525

This content is curated by Intuit Credit Karma’s Editorial team using data from members who were approved for this card or similar cards, or who self-matched this card or similar cards. Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse this content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Here’s the average credit limit of members who matched their United Club℠ Infinite Card or similar cards.

% of members by credit limit range

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $22,624, with $15,000 being the most common.

Here’s the average credit score of members who matched their United Club℠ Infinite Card or similar cards.

% of members by credit score range

The average credit score for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is 722, with 810 being the most common. Note this is just one of the deciding factors when it comes to getting approved.

Member stats

Updated daily

26.6%

Average credit utilization (or what percent of the card’s credit limit is being used) of members who matched with this card or similar cards.

44 years

Average age of members who matched this card or similar cards.

$121,619

Average annual income of members who matched this card or similar cards. Note: Income may be estimated for some members by Credit Karma and may differ from members’ actual incomes.

Pros and cons

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Strong sign-up bonus

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United Club lounge access

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2 free checked bags for primary cardholder and one companion on the same reservation

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High annual fee

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Miles can only be used on United or one of its partners

What frequent flyers need to know about the United Club℠ Infinite Card

Like many premium credit cards with high annual fees, the value of the United Club℠ Infinite Card depends on how you intend to use it. Having no foreign transaction fees is a given with a card of this caliber, but some perks stand out and make this card quite lucrative — if you can take full advantage of them.

United Club lounge membership

The first notable benefit with this card is membership in the United Club lounge program. As a member, you’ll gain access to United Club locations and other Star Alliance lounges worldwide. The United Club has amenities like complimentary drinks, snacks and Wi-Fi.

You can bring up to two guests or one adult guest and dependent children with you into the lounge each visit. You’ll need to have a same-day boarding pass for a United or Star Alliance partner flight to enter one of these lounges.

United says membership is worth up to $650 per year — the cost of an annual general membership to the United Club. But it’s worth noting that you’ll only really get that value if you plan to use the lounge regularly.

Premier Access can help you avoid lines

If you hate waiting in lines, this benefit may sell you on the United Club℠ Infinite Card. You’ll get to use a dedicated fast lane at United check-in, a faster security lane for premium passengers (where available) and priority boarding. You also get priority baggage handling so you can get out of the airport quickly when you check your bags.

Plus, the card offers up to a $100 credit every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Nexus application fees.

A strong sign-up bonus and rewards rate

New cardholders can earn 90,000 bonus miles when they spend at least $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening their account. You can use your MileagePlus® miles for travel on United.

For regular purchase activity, the card gives you four miles per $1 spent on United purchases, two miles per $1 spent on dining and all other travel, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Two free checked bags for you and a companion

If you travel with luggage, you’ll likely get serious value out of this card’s two free checked bags for both you and a companion. Regular bag fees on United are $40 for the first bag and $50 for a second bag each way, so this benefit could be worth as much as $360 for two people on a round-trip flight.

Maximizing the benefits of the United Club℠ Infinite Card

If you do decide this card is right for you, your travel habits will help determine if you get maximum value. At the same time, it might not be terribly difficult to cover the hefty $525 annual fee. For instance, if you take a companion on two domestic trips and check two bags each both ways, you’ve already covered it.

For many cardholders, the best value of the United Club℠ Infinite Card comes from the United Club membership. More visits mean more value, so you won’t get as much from this perk if you can’t access a United Club lounge at airports you frequent.

This card also gives you opportunities for upgrades when available and a wide range of trip and purchase protections and insurance. If you like to use these safety nets when you travel, you have one more reason to appreciate this card.

Who this card is good for

This card is geared toward frequent and loyal customers of United Airlines. But only those who want to check bags, enjoy the luxury of a United Club and zip through many airport lines will likely feel like they’re getting full value. It’s a card for those who want extra perks specifically with United, not at the airport generally.

On the flip side, this card probably won’t be worth it for United flyers who typically don’t check bags and don’t expect to spend a lot of time in the United Club. United fans could get better value out of one of the airline’s cards with a lower annual fee, even if the sign-up bonus and rewards rates aren’t as impressive.

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card is great for frequent travelers who are not dedicated to one specific airline or hotel brand.
• Platinum Card® from American Express: If your primary goal is to get into a variety of airport lounges, then consider this card.
• United℠ Explorer Card: If you typically fly United but want a lower upfront cost, then this card could be right for you.