| Last updated on June 18th, 2024
United℠ Business Card
United℠ Business Card
United℠ Business Card
- 21.49% - 28.49% Variable Regular Purchase APR
- 21.49% - 28.49% Variable Balance Transfer APR
- 29.74% Variable Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
Businesses can benefit significantly from airline cards, and the United Business Card from Chase is an excellent example of the breed. The card earns miles on the types of purchases businesses often make, with additional points coming from the United MileagePlus Program.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
- Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
- $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.
- Member FDIC
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.74% Variable
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% Variable
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
- You run small to medium-sized companies
- You plan to issue additional employee cards (at no extra cost)
- You frequently use your credit card to book flights with United or Star Alliance carriers
- You expect to make at least $5,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of becoming a cardholder to earn the card’s signup bonus (for new cardmembers)
In-Depth Review: United℠ Business Credit Card
The United Business Card is an excellent airline rewards card from United Airlines and Chase. Formerly the United Explorer Business Card, the $99 annual fee (waived for the first year) card boasts a substantial introductory offer of up to 75,000 bonus miles, complimentary employee cards, and an array of United perks.
How to Get the United Business Card
Credit Score Requirements
The United Business Visa is a premium rewards card for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Business cards of this type typically require either “good” or “excellent” credit when applying.
A good gauge of your application chances Is if you have a FICO Score of 700 or above. Roughly 90% of lenders use the FICO model, with 670 being the lower end of “good.” Essentially, this means you need to be deep into the “good” scores on the FICO model to be in with a good shot at approval.
Application Requirements
Chase requires the following information when applying for a business credit card:
- Legal name of the business
- “Doing Business As” (DBA) name, if different from legal name
- Business type (LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.)
- Years in business
- Number of employees
- Company address
- Business contact information (phone, email)
- Revenue information
United MileagePlus Guide for Businesses
The United℠ Business Card earns miles in the United MileagePlus Program. Here’s what you need to know about the program before applying:
Welcome Bonus
New accounts can receive 75,000 bonus miles when they use their card to make at least $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening an account.
For example, a company planning to use its new card to finance a conference can use the United Business Card to purchase $5,000 in employee flights. This expenditure would satisfy the $5,000 minimum needed for the 75,000 miles.
How to Earn Miles
Before diving into the miles earnable, let’s take a quick look at how to earn miles with the United Business Visa Signature:
- Earn 2X miles on United® purchases and dining, including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and local transit and commuting.
- Earn 1X miles on all other purchases.
The United Business Card earns 2X miles on office supplies and United purchases. Fortunately, the 2X miles category includes gas station purchases, local transit and commuting purchases, such as local trains, subways, and even apps like Uber or Lyft.
Cardholders also earn 2X miles on dining, making the card a valuable tool for companies that plan to issue additional cards to employees who frequently treat customers to business dinners or lunches. Even better, there is no extra charge for additional employee cards. The 2X miles on United purchases are further enhanced by membership in the United MileagePlus Program, which is free to join.
Since the United Business Card earns 2X miles on United purchases, even businesses new to the MileagePlus program can earn 7X for every dollar on flights booked directly with United Airlines. That miles-per-dollar rate increases to a maximum of 13X miles per dollar spent with United when companies reach the Premier 1K status. Every other net purchase with the card earns a single mile (1X) for every dollar spent.
Other Ways to Earn Miles with United Airlines
Businesses also earn rewards with United partners. United Airlines partners with several car rental, hotel, and other partners, including:
| Hotel | MileagePlus miles can be earned at most major hotel chains; Earn 2X miles at each property that participates in the United Hotels program. Rewards earning varies by hotel. Otherwise, you’ll earn a flat rate that depends on the hotel you’ve booked a stay at. For more details, visit United’s Hotel Partners page. |
| Dining | When you register a credit (or debit) card with the MileagePlus Dining program, you’ll be able to earn miles when you dine at over 10,000 participating restaurants, bars, and clubs – but only when you pay for your meal with the card you’ve registered. You’ll earn up to 5 miles per dollar spent, and this includes tax and tip! |
| Car rental | MileagePlus members can earn up to 1,250 award miles for each qualifying car rental. Partners include Hertz, Dollar Rent A Car, Thrifty, Groundlink, ExecuCar, and much more. Members also earn points when booking with SuperShuttle, Carmel, Bandwagon, and other ground transportation services. |
| Shopping | MileagePlus members earn miles based on making purchases through the dedicated MileagePlus shopping portal, where points are earned for making purchases with hundreds of leading brands. |
Anniversary Bonus
Accounts that have both the United Business Card and the personal version of the card earn an additional 5,000 miles “Better Together” bonus on each cardmember anniversary. This bonus isn’t a great deal, but for those who do carry both versions of the card, it is essentially free money. For those who don’t have both versions of the card, however, the combined annual fees would be $194, which amounts to a bonus of $70.
How to Redeem United MileagePlus Miles
The MileagePlus Program offers a wide variety of redemption options for cardholders. The most apparent method of redeeming MileagePlus miles is flight bookings with United Airlines.
To redeem miles, a member must log in to their MileagePlus account, search for flights on united.com, and select “pay with miles.” Miles are also applicable to other purchases with United, including seat upgrades.
Transfer to Codeshare Partners
United Airlines is part of the Star Alliance, including other major global carriers, such as Air Canada, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Avianca, Turkish Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. Since United belongs to the Star Alliance, MileagePlus members can also use their miles towards flights with other Star Alliance carriers. United also allows members to use miles with other codeshare partners, including Hawaiian Airlines and Aer Lingus.
Other Redemption Options
Other redemption options for United Business Cardholders include hotel stays with major names in the hospitality industry, rental car bookings with partners like Dollar or Hertz, shopping through the MileagePlus portal, gift cards, or event experiences.
United MileagePlus Travel Benefits
Statement Credits
The up to 13X miles on United flights of the United Business Card is very nice. Chase and United also have plenty more to offer with the card, especially when it comes to airport perks. Cardholders can expect their first checked bag free on United flights – a value of up to $120 on roundtrip journeys. This perk is a great addition to the card, especially for companies that spend heavily on flights and travel. Accounts also receive a $100 United travel credit, which requires at least seven United flight purchases of over $100 each. It’s not a great reward for all that spending, but it’s something, nonetheless.
Priority Boarding
Time spent at the airport is simplified thanks to priority boarding on United-operated flights. Lounge access is a prominent feature in many luxurious airline cards.
Lounge Passes
The United Business Card offers two one-time United Club lounge passes each year, but that won’t make much of a dent for companies that travel often. However, there is always the option of using the United Club passes as a business incentive, offering them as a prize or reward for top performers or those who deserve recognition.
In-flight Savings
In the air, United Business Cardholders receive 25% in-flight savings with United, incentivizing employers to let their employees splash cash on items to make trips more enjoyable. Things like in-flight Wi-Fi, snack boxes, or even the occasional bloody Mary can go a long way to raise spirits on long trips while earning rewards simultaneously.
MileagePlus Program Tiers
What benefits you can expect from United Airlines depends on your elite tier status. Apart from the basic tier, there are four elite membership tiers, the “Premier” levels:
| Benefit | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | Premier Platinum | Premier 1K® |
| Pts/ on flights | 7X | 8X | 9X | 11X |
| Free bags | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Priority check-in | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Priority security | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Priority Boarding | Group 2 | Group 1 | Group 1 | Pre-board |
| Free Economy Plus access | Preferred seating at booking; Economy Plus at check-in | At booking | At booking | At booking |
| Free Economy Plus for travel companions | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Preferred seating for travel companions | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Free Premier upgrades | Day of departure | 48 hours | 72 hours | 96 hours |
| Instant upgrades | Y or B class fares | Y or B class fares | Y or B class fares | Y, B or M class fares |
| Free drink/snack | – | – | – | ✔️ |
| 24-hour flight changes | Free within same fare class | Free within same fare class | Free within same fare class | Free within same fare class |
| Access to most sold-out flights | Y-class ticket, at least 24 hrs. before departure | Y-class ticket, at least 24 hrs. before departure | Y-class ticket, at least 2 hrs. before departure | Y- or B-class ticket, at least 1.5 hrs. before departure |
| United Club℠ discount | – | – | $50 discount | $100 discount |
| CLEAR® | $149 | $149 | $149 | Waived |
| No blackout dates* | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Priority award waitlisting | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Standby for international award flights | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Phone booking service fees | $25 | $25 | Waived | Waived |
| Fee for making changes or canceling an award ticket with redepositfootnote8 | No fee | No fee | No fee | No fee |
| Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status | – | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Complimentary Avis elite status | Avis Preferred Plus® | Avis Preferred Plus® | Avis President’s Club® | Avis President’s Club® |
| Extra benefits when booking a VIP Access property with United Hotels | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Bonus miles on car rental with Avis and Budget | Up to 1,000 base miles per rental | Up to 1,000 base miles per rental | Up to 1,250 base miles per rental | Up to 1,250 base miles per rental |
Other Card Features
No Foreign Transaction Fee
Another feature of note with the United Business Card is the lack of a foreign transaction fee. That isn’t surprising for a card associated with a major international airline. Not being charged when using your United Business Card abroad is always a nice – though often unnoticed – perk.
Competitive Regular APR
The APR with the card isn’t exceptional, but it isn’t excessive, either. The low-end APR on purchases and balance transfers and the maximum rates align with what you’d normally expect from a business airline rewards card, though these rates will vary based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate.
Visa for Business Protections
The card also enjoys Visa Signature Business features and protections:
| Zero Fraud Liability | Roadside Dispatch | Cardholder Inquiry Services |
| Lost/Stolen Card Reporting | Emergency Card Replacement | Auto Rental Collison Damage Waiver |
| Travel and Emergency Assistance Services | Purchase and Extended Protection | Lost Luggage Reimbursement |
Card Comparisons
United Business Comparison
| United℠ Business Card | United Club℠ Business Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99 | $450 |
| Employee cards | Free | Free |
| Rewards | 2X miles on United purchases, 2X on dining, gas stations, office supply stores, and local transit/commuting 1X on all other purchases | 2X miles on United purchases, 1.5X on all other purchases |
| Free bags | One (1) for accountholder and one companion on the same fare | Two (2) for accountholder and one companion on the same fare |
| Lounge access | United Club – 2X per year | United Club – unlimited |
| Other Perks | Priority boarding, anniversary mile bonus, $100 United credit, 25% inflight savings, no foreign transaction fees | Priority boarding, check-in, screening and baggage handling, anniversary mile bonus, $100 United credit, 25% inflight savings, no foreign transaction fees, Avis Presidents Club upgrades |
Other Chase Cards to Consider
| Ink Business Cash® | Ink Business Unlimited® | Ink Business Preferred® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rewards | Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases | 3X on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary. |
| Intro APR | 12 months on purchases | 12 months on purchases | N/A |
| Add. cards | Free | Free | Free |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $95 |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Complimentary employee cards | Heavy spend needed for welcome offer |
| Anniversary bonus miles | $99 annual fee (waived for the 1st year) |
| 2X United Club lounge access | Penalty APR |
| Priority boarding and a free first checked bag |
What We Like About the United Business Credit Card
For a business card with a $99 annual fee (albeit waived for year one), there is a ton to like about the United Business Credit Card. For starters, the first year has a $0 annual fee. In addition, you can anticipate free employee cards and a decent 0% intro APR period on purchases.
Generous Travel Benefits
The travel perks with the United Business Card are exceptional, given the price point, and include things like a free first checked bag, priority boarding on United-operated flights, and more. The $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year is another nice benefit that can help you plan for another vacation.
The card also provides two United Club lounge visits each year. Normally, limited lounge access is a negative, but given the huge throngs overcrowding airport lounges worldwide, maybe it isn’t such a bad thing.
Fortunately, the lounge is the United Club, one of the most exclusive networks. That means you can expect greater peace and quiet on your visit versus a Priority Pass or LouneBuddy location. And, since a single entry to the United Club costs $59, those two vouchers cost $118 annually.
Things to Consider
Airline credit cards make sense if you fly often. Because of this, the United Business Visa Signature isn’t for everyone. If your business spend does not mesh with the bonus categories, you might be better off with another Chase business card. On the plus side, Chase has an extensive selection of co-branded business cards with airlines, hotels, retailers, and more – meaning there is sure to be something to fit the needs of your business.
FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the United Business Visa Signature, along with the answers:75
- Data suggests that Chase uses Experian for credit checks.
- Award flights in the United MileagePlus start as low as 12,500 miles for economy flights and 30,000 miles for business fares.
- Chase typically reports to the credit agencies approximately 3 to 4 days after the closing data on the card statement.
- United MileagePlus miles have a value of one cent per point, but that value may vary depending on a variety of factors.
Chase Bank Ratings
How does the United Business Visa Signature stack up? Here is a selection of expert reviews for the card, as well as an overview of JP Morgan Chase as a bank:
| BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
|
4.5/5 |
3.5/5 |
2/5 |
Should You Apply for the United Business Card?
The United Business Card is a business airline card on par with many of the other comparable options on the market – most notably the JetBlue Business Card and the SKYPASS Visa Business Card. All three of these cards earn a similar amount of points on flights (2X per dollar spent, though the JetBlue Card earns 6X points), feature similar annual fees, and comparable interest rates. Where the United Card surpasses its rivals is the 2X miles cardholders earn on local transit – making it a great option for companies that want to issue additional employee cards to those who use public transportation regularly.
The impressive 75,000 miles bonus is a real headline grabber with the United Card, but for smaller firms, it may be something out of reach. For medium-sized companies or those smaller businesses that travel frequently, however, the bonus is attainable and offers significant value that is rarely found with comparable cards. Overall, the United Business Card offers great value for the $99 annual fee. There are plenty of other similar cards from airlines around the world, including Korean Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Jet Blue, Southwest, and countless others, but for companies that prefer to fly with United Airlines or Star Alliance partners, the $99 each year provides significant value for money.
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