United Membership Infinite Card overview: Full particulars

United Membership Infinite Card overview

The United Membership℠ Infinite Card is the perfect card for United Membership lounge entry — bar none. Should you’re a loyal United flyer who spends a big sum of money with the airline annually, this card will make an ideal addition to your pockets. Card ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐

* 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 price 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 major 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 normal with a formidable 4 miles per greenback on United purchases.

The beneficial credit score rating for the United Membership card is at the least 740, however it could be doable to get authorised with a decrease credit score rating.

Let’s dive into the top-tier United Membership Infinite Card to see if it is smart for you.

United Membership Infinite execs and cons

United Membership Infinite welcome supply

New United Membership Infinite cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening.

Based mostly on TPG’s October 2024 valuations of United miles at 1.3 cents per mile, these bonus miles alone are price a stable $1,040 towards air journey.

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

This product shouldn’t be out there to both (i) present cardmembers of any United ClubSM bank card, or (ii) earlier cardmembers of any United Membership bank card who obtained a brand new Cardmember bonus for this bank card inside the final 24 months.

This can be a card issued by Chase, which suggests it is topic to the issuer’s notorious 5/24 rule. You probably 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

United Membership Infinite advantages

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

United Membership membership

The excessive level of the United Membership Infinite Card is a United Membership membership, which grants you limitless entry to United Golf equipment and choose Star Alliance lounges when flying United and its companions.

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

After all, in case you do not fly with United at the least a number of instances annually, it may be troublesome to get correct worth out of this profit.

International Entry/TSA PreCheck utility price credit score

Should you do not have already got International Entry or TSA PreCheck, the United Membership Infinite Card will refund your utility price (as much as $100) as soon as each 4 years. Vacationers who have already got the profit can all the time present this perk to a member of the family or buddy.

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 stage embody complimentary room upgrades, prolonged checkout and bonus factors on stays.

As well as, cardholders will obtain a $75 assertion credit score for IHG Inns & Resorts purchases charged to the cardboard this yr via Dec. 31.

Associated: The award vacationers information to IHG Rewards

Elitelike perks

The cardboard comes with two free checked luggage (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, boarding and baggage dealing with the place out there), 25% again on United inflight purchases, expanded award availability and extra.

You probably have United elite standing, these perks will not be as compelling. However for many who have but to earn it, these are worthwhile advantages.

One TPG reader finds that the advantages for United flyers assist offset the upper annual price.

“it is an costly card however price it for the perks; in case you dwell close to a United hub (i.e. SFO, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Chicago) and fly a number of instances per yr, then the advantages can justify the prices of the cardboard.” — Lissa M by way of Fb

Be aware: Reader-submitted responses haven’t been edited, reviewed or authorised by the issuers nor replicate TPG’s opinions of those playing cards.

Frequent United flyers, significantly those that dwell near airports with a United Membership and choose Star Alliance lounges, can discover worth within the perks that go together with the upper annual price.

10% mileage low cost

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

In case you are a Membership Infinite cardholder, you will note the mileage distinction as soon as logged in to your MileagePlus account. For instance, a Saver Award could present as 5,000 miles when you find yourself 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: Find out how to unlock further award availability with United

Elite standing spending shortcut

United Membership Infinite cardholders can earn as much as 10,000 Premier qualifying factors per calendar yr. You earn 25 PQPs per $500 spent in your card. After all, that can require spending a whopping $200,000 to completely maximize, however it nonetheless is likely to be inside attain for some.

Journey and buy protections

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

Rental automotive privileges

Main cardholders can join complimentary Avis President’s Membership membership, which usually requires a big quantity of spend with Avis to realize. President’s Membership members obtain complimentary upgrades of two automotive lessons, assured automotive availability if you e-book at the least 24 hours upfront and expedited rental service.

DoorDash

Cardholders get a one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for each DoorDash and Caviar that gives limitless deliveries with $0 supply charges and decrease service charges on eligible orders. You will need to enroll by Dec. 31.

Associated: Find out how to earn miles with the United Airways MileagePlus program

Incomes miles on the United Membership Infinite

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

Cardholders accrue:

• 9 miles per greenback on United purchases (5 miles earned as a MileagePlus member, plus 4 miles earned from this card)
• 4 miles on lodge stays booked via United Inns (2 miles earned as a MileagePlus member, plus 2 miles earned from the United Membership Infinite)
• 2 miles per greenback on all different journey
• 2 miles per greenback on eating purchases
• 1 mile per greenback on every part else

That is an 11.7% return on United spending (primarily based on TPG’s October 2024 valuations), greater than every other airline bank card.

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 well-liked® Card.

You probably have both of these playing cards, you will wish to use these for basic journey and eating spending since Chase Final Rewards factors are price greater than United miles, in response to TPG’s valuations.

However in case you do not have already got both of these playing cards, you will nonetheless have the ability to earn rewards on these purchases with the United Membership Infinite Card.

Redeeming miles on the United Membership Infinite

When you’re able to redeem miles, United does have some candy spots in its MileagePlus program. Sadly, United not publishes an award chart, which suggests award redemption charges will be unpredictable.

Nevertheless, there are different methods to search out worth in this system, akin to using the United Excursionist Perk or reserving accomplice awards with United miles. United does not go on gas surcharges on accomplice awards, which might prevent lots of of {dollars} per ticket when reserving awards like first-class tickets on Lufthansa.

TPG senior author for cruises Ashley Kosciolek not too long ago redeemed 28,500 United miles for a round-trip flight between Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Worldwide Airport. Miles aren’t simply nice for enterprise class worldwide flights; they’re additionally very helpful for home journeys.

Associated: Maximizing redemptions with United MileagePlus

Which playing cards compete with the United Membership Infinite?

There are a selection of playing cards which are aggressive with the United Membership Infinite:

• If you would like a decrease annual price: The United℠ Explorer Card is filled with premium perks akin to an up-to-$100 International Entry or TSA PreCheck utility price assertion credit score, two annual one-time lounge passes and your first checked bag free — simply justifying its modest $95 annual price, waived for the primary yr. To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the United Explorer.
• If you would like a extra all-around card: The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card is among the best-known journey rewards bank cards, incomes 5 factors per greenback on journey booked via Chase Journey℠ and on Lyft purchases (Lyft purchases via March 2025), 3 factors per greenback on eating, choose streaming providers and on-line grocery retailer purchases (excluding Goal, Walmart and wholesale golf equipment), 2 factors per greenback on all different journey purchases and 1 level per greenback on every part else. To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Sapphire Most well-liked.
• If you would like tons of perks: The Platinum Card® from American Categorical is among the prime premium journey rewards playing cards. As a cardmember, you will earn worthwhile Membership Rewards factors, obtain plenty of annual assertion credit every calendar yr and revel in entry to an intensive community of airport lounges worldwide. Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply. To be taught extra, learn our full overview of the Amex Platinum.

For extra choices, take a look at our full checklist of the greatest United journey playing cards and greatest airline playing cards.

Learn extra: Why you will wish to pay the $95 annual price on the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked

Backside line

Should you fly on United flights a number of instances annually, the United Membership Infinite Card is price contemplating. You are getting an ideal incomes fee for a cobranded card, a powerful lineup of perks, United Membership entry and stable journey protections.

Ensure to take this chance to start out stockpiling MileagePlus miles in your subsequent dream vacation spot.

---

Apply right here: United Membership Infinite Card

---

Associated: United Membership Infinite Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve