United℠ Business Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
• APR: 21.24%-28.24% variable
• Rewards: 2X miles on United Airlines, dining, and gas station purchases; 1X on everything else
• Bonus: 75,000 bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Best For: United Airlines loyalists who want MileagePlus perks and accelerated mile earning for business travel
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The United Business Card is designed for businesses that frequently fly United Airlines or its Star Alliance partners. It earns 2X MileagePlus miles on United purchases, dining, and gas stations, with 1X on everything else. The 75,000-mile welcome bonus after $5,000 in spending provides enough miles for one or more domestic round trips or a significant step toward an international award flight.

Beyond the earning rate, the card delivers meaningful United travel perks. Cardholders receive two United Club one-time passes each year, a free first checked bag for the cardholder and one companion on the same reservation, priority boarding, and 25% back on United in-flight purchases. These benefits make every United flight more comfortable and cost-effective, particularly for business travelers who check bags and value boarding priority.

The $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99, is competitive for an airline co-branded business card, especially given the checked bag savings alone. If you and a companion each fly United four or more round trips per year, the free checked bag benefit saves $280 or more, more than covering the annual fee. The card also integrates with MileagePlus for status qualification and redemption flexibility across Star Alliance carriers.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 21.24%-28.24% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: N/A
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable

Note: Your APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. There is no introductory APR offer on purchases.

Benefits Overview

MileagePlus Earning

• 2X miles on United Airlines purchases
• 2X miles at restaurants and dining
• 2X miles at gas stations
• 1X miles on all other purchases
• Miles count toward MileagePlus Premier status qualification

United Travel Perks

• Free first checked bag for you and one companion on the same reservation
• Priority boarding on United flights
• Two United Club one-time passes each year
• 25% back on United in-flight food, drinks, and Wi-Fi purchases

Additional Benefits

• No foreign transaction fees for international business travel
• Free employee cards that also earn miles
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year
• Expanded award availability for cardholders on United flights

Rewards & Points

• 2X on United Airlines purchases
• 2X at restaurants and dining
• 2X at gas stations
• 1X on all other purchases

MileagePlus miles are worth approximately 1.3 cents each when redeemed for United flights. Miles can be used for flights on United and Star Alliance partners. Cardholders also get expanded award seat availability compared to non-cardholders.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus MileagePlus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. At a value of approximately 1.3 cents per mile, the bonus is worth about $975 toward United flights. These miles can be used for domestic or international travel on United and Star Alliance partners.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $99
• Balance Transfer Fee: N/A (balance transfers not available)
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Employee Card Fee: $0

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• United frequent flyers who want miles and travel perks on their preferred airline
• Business travelers checking bags who save $70 or more per round trip with free checked bags
• Star Alliance travelers who can use miles across the global alliance network
• Dining-heavy businesses that entertain clients or have significant restaurant spending

Not Good For

• Non-United flyers who use other airlines and would benefit from transferable points instead
• Low-spending businesses that earn fewer miles than the $99 annual fee is worth after year one
• Cash back seekers who prefer simple cash rewards over airline miles

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• 75,000-mile welcome bonus worth approximately $975 in United flights
• 2X miles on United, dining, and gas covers common business expenses
• Free first checked bag for you and a companion saves $70+ per round trip
• Priority boarding on all United flights
• Two United Club one-time passes per year
• No foreign transaction fees for international business travel
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year
• 25% back on United in-flight purchases
• Free employee cards that earn miles on spending
• Expanded award seat availability on United flights

Cons

• $99 annual fee kicks in after the first year
• Miles are locked to United and Star Alliance with no transfer flexibility
• 2X earning rate is moderate compared to premium airline cards
• No 0% intro APR on purchases for cash flow management
• No lounge membership included, only two one-time passes
• Gas station bonus may overlap with other cards in your wallet
• Balance transfers are not available
• $5,000 spending requirement in three months for the bonus

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

First-year value: approximately $1,703 including the 75,000-mile bonus ($975), ongoing earning ($728), and free checked bag savings (estimated $280 for 4 round trips). No annual fee in the first year further boosts first-year value.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You fly United Airlines regularly for business travel
• You and your companion check bags and want to save on baggage fees
• You spend meaningfully on dining and gas for your business
• You value Star Alliance redemption flexibility for international travel
• You want a first year with no annual fee to test the card
• You travel internationally for business and need no foreign transaction fees
• You want priority boarding and occasional lounge access on United

You Should Skip It If...

• You rarely fly United or airlines in the Star Alliance
• You prefer flexible, transferable points over airline-locked miles
• Your business spending is too low to generate meaningful miles
• You already have a premium United card with better perks
• You want cash back simplicity instead of airline mile management
• You need a 0% intro APR for business purchases

Apply Now

Apply for United℠ Business Card

Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.