What the United Club Card offers and who it's designed for
The United Club Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with United Airlines. It gives cardholders access to United Club passes, which are lounge memberships that let you use airport lounges when you travel. The card also earns rewards on United purchases and other spending, though the specific benefits and earning rates depend on which version of the card you hold.
This card makes sense if you fly United regularly and want lounge access without paying for a separate membership. It's not a general travel card — the rewards structure and perks are built around United's ecosystem. If you rarely fly or don't fly United, a different card may serve you better.
Key Takeaways
- The United Club Card comes in multiple versions, each with different annual fees, lounge benefits, and earning rates.
- Cardholders receive United Club passes as a primary benefit, though the number of passes varies by card tier.
- You earn miles on United flights and bonus categories on other purchases, but the earning structure differs between card versions.
- The card charges an annual fee that you pay once per year, and some versions include additional perks like baggage credits or travel credits.
- You set up the card through Chase's website or app, and lounge access is typically available when ready after set up.
The different United Club Card versions and their benefits
Chase offers multiple versions of the United Club Card, and each one has a different annual fee and benefit package. The standard United Club Card has a lower annual fee and includes a certain number of United Club passes per year. The United Club Card Plus has a higher annual fee but includes more passes, a higher sign-up bonus, and additional perks like a baggage fee credit or travel credit.
Before you open an account, compare the versions side by side. Look at how many times per year you actually visit an airport lounge, what the annual fee costs, and whether the extra perks in a higher-tier card would offset that cost. If you travel once or twice a year, the standard card may be all you need. If you travel monthly or more, the Plus version might deliver better value.
Chase updates these card offerings periodically, so the exact benefits, fees, and earning rates may change. Check Chase's official United Club Card page to see the current terms before you decide.
How to open a United Club Card account
You can open an account through Chase's website or by calling Chase directly. You'll need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment status. Chase will pull your credit report to make a decision, which typically takes a few minutes to a few hours.
During the process, you'll choose which version of the card you want — the standard United Club Card or the United Club Card Plus. You'll also see the current sign-up bonus, which usually requires you to spend a certain amount within the first few months. Read the terms carefully: the bonus is only paid if you meet the spending requirement within the stated timeframe.
If Chase approves you, your card will ship to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can start using it as soon as it arrives, though some features (like lounge access) may be available before the physical card reaches you.
Activating your card and accessing United Club passes
Once your card arrives, you'll set up it through Chase's website or mobile app. You can also call the number on the back of the card. set up is when ready and takes just a few minutes.
After set up, your United Club passes are typically available right away. The exact number of passes you receive depends on which card version you hold — the standard card includes a set number per year, and the Plus version includes more. You can view your available passes through the United app or by logging into your United account online.
To use a pass, you present it at the lounge entrance when you arrive at the airport. You can bring one guest with you on most passes, though some lounges have different rules. Check the terms of your specific pass before you go, since guest policies vary by location.
How earning miles and rewards works
The United Club Card earns United miles on every purchase you make. The earning rate varies by card version and by category. For example, you might earn a higher rate on United flights and United purchases, and a lower rate on everything else. Some versions include bonus categories like dining or gas that earn extra miles.
Miles accumulate in your United MileagePlus account, which is linked to your card automatically. You can use miles to book flights, upgrade seats, or transfer them to United's airline partners. The value of a mile depends on how you use it — booking a flight with miles can be worth anywhere from 1 to 2 cents per mile, depending on the route and demand.
The sign-up bonus is separate from ongoing earning. When you meet the spending requirement in the first few months, Chase deposits a large number of bonus miles into your account all at once. This bonus is often worth more than several months of regular earning, so it's worth factoring into your decision to open the card.
Annual fees, credits, and other costs
The United Club Card charges an annual fee that appears on your statement once per year, usually on your account anniversary. The amount depends on which version you hold. The standard card has a lower fee; the Plus version has a higher fee but includes additional credits that may offset it.
Some versions include a baggage fee credit that reimburses you for one checked bag per year, or a travel credit that covers incidental travel expenses. Read your card's terms to see exactly what credits you receive and how to claim them. Credits are usually automatic, but some require you to register or submit a receipt.
Beyond the annual fee, there are no other ongoing costs to hold the card. You don't pay extra to use your lounge passes, and you don't pay to earn miles. If you carry a balance on the card, you'll pay interest, but that's true of any credit card.
Managing your account and paying your bill
You can manage your United Club Card account through Chase's website or mobile app. You'll see your current balance, available credit, recent transactions, and payment options. You can set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month, or you can pay manually whenever you want.
Your statement closes on a set date each month, and your payment is due about three weeks later. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you won't pay any interest. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily at the card's variable APR, which is disclosed in your card agreement.
You can also view your United miles balance through your MileagePlus account, which is separate from your Chase account but linked to your card. Miles post to your account within a few days of each purchase, and bonus miles post once you meet the spending requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my United Club passes on flights I book with miles?
Yes. Your lounge passes work regardless of how you booked your flight — whether you paid cash, used miles, or used a combination of both. The pass is tied to your boarding pass, not to how you paid for the ticket.
What happens to my unused passes at the end of the year?
Unused passes expire at the end of your membership year, which is typically 12 months from when you opened the card or renewed it. They don't roll over to the next year, so use them before they expire. You can check how many passes you have left and when they expire through the United app.
Do I have to use the card to fly United to keep the benefits?
No. Your lounge passes and other card benefits remain active as long as you keep the card open and pay the annual fee. You don't have to fly United or use the card at all to maintain your membership. However, if you close the card, your lounge access ends when ready.
Can I transfer my miles to someone else?
Miles are tied to your MileagePlus account and can't be transferred to another person's account. However, you can use your miles to book a flight for someone else, or you can gift miles to another MileagePlus member through United's website for a fee.
What if I'm denied for the card?
If Chase denies your process, you can call the reconsideration line to ask why and see if there's anything you can do. Sometimes Chase will approve you if you have a higher income or lower debt, or if you're willing to accept a lower credit limit. You can also wait a few months and explore again if your credit has improved.