Is the Chase United Club℠ Infinite Card Worth It?

The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers an unprecedented 4X MileagePlus miles per dollar spent on United purchases, and a United Club lounge membership which gives you unlimited access to United Clubs and select partner lounges when flying on United and its Star Alliance partner airlines. It also comes loaded with other valuable perks for United flyers – but is it enough to justify the card’s $525 annual fee?

Note that like most Chase credit cards, the United Club℠ Infinite Card is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule. That means if you have opened five or more new credit cards in the past 24 months, you will automatically be declined if you apply for this card. Read more about the Chase 5/24 rule here.

What Benefits Do You Get With the United Club℠ Infinite Card?

United Club Membership

With the United Club℠ Infinite Card, you’ll get a complimentary United Club membership which grants you access to United Club lounges and select Star Alliance partner lounges when flying on United, United Express or other Star Alliance airlines. The membership covers you and up to two adult guests, or one adult and your dependent children.

Earn 4x Miles on United Purchases and 2x on Dining and Travel

You’ll earn 4 miles for every dollar spent on United purchases (including tickets, upgrades, change fees, baggage fees, lounge passes, in-flight WiFi and more), 2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel purchases, and 2 miles per dollar spent on dining purchases including delivery services.

Premier Access

When flying United, you and your travel companions on the same reservation will get Premier Access, which gives you access to priority lines at check-in, security, and the boarding gate.

Two Free Checked Bags

You and one travel companion on the same reservation will receive your first and second checked bag free on United flights when you pay for the ticket with your United Club℠ Infinite Card – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip flight.

Statement Credits for Inflight Purchases and Global Entry or TSA Precheck

When you use your United Club℠ Infinite Card to pay for food, beverages or WiFi on a United flight, you’ll get an automatic 25% back as a statement credit. And every four years, you’ll get a statement credit up to $100 when you enroll or renew a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.

Expanded Access to Award Inventory

Chase United credit card holders and MileagePlus elite members enjoy expanded access to award inventory on United flights, giving you more opportunities to use your miles for travel.

Upgrades on Award Tickets for Elite Members

If you have MileagePlus Premier status, having the United Club℠ Infinite Card makes you eligible for complimentary upgrades on award tickets, in addition to the complimentary upgrades you enjoy on paid United flights.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® President’s Circle® Membership

As a United Club℠ Infinite Card holder, you’re invited to enroll in the exclusive President’s Circle tier of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program, which gives you a 50% bonus on Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Points, upgrades and exclusive offers when renting cars from Hertz.

Purchase Protection and Extended Warranties

When you purchase an item with your United Club℠ Infinite Card, you’ll automatically receive purchase protection of up to $10,000 against damage or theft for 120 days. Chase will also add an extra year of warranty coverage to items you purchase that have a manufacturer’s warranty of three years or less. And if a merchant won’t let you return something you purchased with your United Club℠ Infinite Card within 90 days, Chase will reimburse you for it, up to $500 per item and $1,000 per year.

Primary Rental Car Insurance

If you rent a car and pay with your United Club℠ Infinite Card, you can decline the collision damage insurance offered by the rental car company – Chase will provide that coverage automatically, and you won’t have to file a claim with your personal auto insurance.

Travel Protection Benefits

When you use your United Club℠ Infinite Card card to purchase travel, you’ll automatically be covered against unexpected expenses if your trip is delayed, interrupted, or canceled, or if your baggage is delayed, damaged, or lost. If you or a family member get sick while traveling, you may be eligible for up to $2,500 towards medical expenses, and up to $100,000 for a medical evacuation. Using any of these benefits just once will likely make the card pay for itself. (As with any insurance, important exclusions apply, so be sure to read the fine print before booking your trip.)

No Foreign Transaction Fees

While this is standard for credit cards with an annual fee, it’s particularly important for frequent travelers, since foreign transaction fees (around 3% in most cases) can add up quickly.

What Other Cards Should You Consider in the Same Price Range?

The Chase United Club℠ Infinite Card is the only card that offers unlimited access to United Clubs. If you’re interested in lounge access generally, rather than access to United Clubs specifically, you might consider one of these options:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express gives you access to the Centurion Lounge network, a Priority Pass membership, and access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying on Delta flights. This card has a $695 annual fee, which is partially offset by an up to $200 airline incidental fee credit, up to $200 in Uber credits, and up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits. (Rates and fees)

• The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees) gives you access to Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta. You’ll also get an annual companion certificate valid for any class of service valid on select itineraries, complimentary upgrades on Delta flights, one free checked bag, priority boarding and the ability to accelerate your elite status earning after certain spending thresholds with bonus elite miles. All for a $650 annual fee (rates and fees)

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard gives you access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges and select partner lounges when you are flying on American, Alaska, or any oneworld alliance airline. You’ll also get one free checked bag, Group 4 boarding, priority check-in, priority airport screening, and a 25% discount on inflight purchases It has a $450 annual fee, and allows you to add up to 10 authorized users at no additional charge who can access Admirals Club lounges (but not partner lounges).

When Does a Less Expensive Credit Card Make More Sense?

The United℠ Explorer Card has a $95 annual fee (waived for the first year) and offers two one-time United Club Passes each year, one free checked bag on United flights, priority boarding, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment credit, expanded award availability, and access to complimentary upgrades on award tickets for MileagePlus elite members.

When Does a No-Annual-Fee Credit Card Make More Sense?

You’re not going to find lounge access or free checked bags with a no-annual-fee credit card. However, the no-annual-fee United Gateway℠ Card offers 2x United miles on United purchases, gas stations, and local transit and commuting, and 3x United miles on grocery purchases through September 2021. It also gives you 25% off in-flight purchases and access to expanded United award inventory.

Final Thoughts

The United Club℠ Infinite Card isn’t a card to get just to have. But it is an amazing card for the right person—namely anyone who would otherwise pay for a United Club Membership anyway. Even the steep annual fee on this card is cheaper than buying a United Club Membership outright, and you get a bunch of other benefits to boot.