The United℠ Business Card review: Decent United travel perks for small-business owners

Although this card’s rewards rates are on par with those of other airline cards, the United Business card outshines many of its competitors with its benefits and travel perks.

First checked bag free for self and companion

When you fly United, you and a companion receive your first checked bags free (if you bought the ticket with your United Business card). Typically, the first bag you check with United has a $40 fee, so using this perk for just one round-trip flight with a companion provides an up to $160 value. You’ll also receive two annual passes to the United Club and lounge every year you hold the card, so you can relax and have a few snacks while you’re waiting for your next flight.

Yearly statement credit

You'll receive a $125 United travel credit after making five United flight purchases of $100 or more each calendar year with your United^SM Business Card.

Travel protection and insurances 

You have plenty of extra coverage if you hit a snag while you’re traveling. For starters, you have up to $6,000 in reimbursements for trip cancellations. If your baggage is delayed for six or more hours by the airlines, you’ll receive up to $100 per day (up to three days) for reimbursement and up to $3,000 if your baggage is lost. Other benefits include travel accident insurance, roadside assistance, trip delay insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

Luxury hotel perks

There are over 1,000 properties included in the Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection (LHRC), and you’ll receive several extras if you book with your United Business card. Perks include daily breakfast for two, free Wi-Fi and complimentary room upgrades (if available).

Annual 5,000-mile credit

If you already have a United personal credit card, you'll especially want to consider the United Business Card, as cardmembers with both a business and personal United card can earn a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus credit every year. Of course, this is only the case as long as both accounts are open and in good standing, but this is not a perk to overlook.

The United Business Card earns 2X miles on United purchases and in a few other common spending categories, including dining and gas, and 1X miles on everything else. It can be a good choice for United Airlines loyalists, but even if you’re a business owner who doesn’t travel much, you can still earn boosted miles on purchases outside of travel. Additionally, if you have employees who travel frequently for business, you can earn rewards from their travel spending too.

You can redeem your rewards through the United MileagePlus portal toward flights with United Airlines and with a number of United Airlines partners, including airlines that are part of the Star Alliance network. However, if you don’t want to redeem miles for airline travel, you can redeem them toward the cost of cruises, for gift cards, travel experiences or other gifts. 

How much are the rewards worth?

Based on Bankrate’s latest airline mile value estimates, MileagePlus miles are worth an average value of around 0.9 cents per point. This means 100,000 United miles could be worth an average of $900 when transferred to a high-value transfer partner. 

That said, the value you get for your miles will vary based on the details of your booking. To calculate your mile value, simply divide the cost of a booking in cash by its cost in miles. If you get a value of more than 0.9 cents, you’ll be getting a good deal, based on Bankrate’s valuations.

The card poses a $150 annual fee, which is about average for a travel card. However, some other travel cards (especially personal travel cards) may offer better rewards at the same or a lower cost. 

For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit card carries a comparable annual fee but earns 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel as well as 2X miles on all other purchases (not just the few categories eligible for 2X rewards on the United Business Card). 

On the plus side, the United Business card carries no foreign transaction fees and a decent APR of 19.74% - 28.24% Variable, the low end of which is only slightly above the current average credit card interest rate.

There are many business credit cards available, and some are great all-around choices. However, the right card for you will depend on variables like how much you’re willing to spend on an annual fee, your travel habits, your biggest spending categories and your preferred airlines, hotels or credit card issuers.

 Here’s a look at some great alternatives to the United Business card: 

If you’re a fan of United Airlines and are looking for a new business credit card, then the United Business card may be worth adding to your portfolio. Between the card’s welcome bonus, ongoing rewards and travel perks, it could make your business (or personal) travel easier to manage.

But if you aren’t looking for United-specific perks, want the flexibility to redeem rewards with any airline or don’t spend much in the card’s bonus categories, then you should consider other options. 

For rates and fees of the American Express Business Gold card, please click here.