The United Club℠ Infinite Card (review) is the most premium credit card in the Chase and United Airlines co-brand portfolio. The card has a $525 annual fee, but also has the richest perks, including a United Club membership, along with all kinds of other travel perks.
Some wholly positive changes are coming to the card, as several new perks are being added. Best of all, this is happening without anything being taken away, and there’s also no increase in annual fee. In no particular order, let’s go over what’s being added to the card.
In this post:
10% discount on economy award tickets
Effective immediately, the United Club Infinite Card offers a 10% discount on saver level economy awards for travel within the continental United States and Canada. These discounted prices will be reflected automatically when the primary cardmember is logged into their MileagePlus account.
It’s pretty awesome to see the concept of discounted awards rolled out as a perk on a United Airlines credit card, though admittedly there are some significant restrictions associated with this.
10,000 miles for signing up for CLEAR
Those with the United Club Infinite Card can receive 10,000 bonus MileagePlus miles if they sign-up for CLEAR by June 30, 2022, using their card. For those not familiar with CLEAR, it helps expedite the process of clearing security at select airports.
If you’re a MileagePlus member, CLEAR should cost you $119 to sign-up for, and then I’d say that the 10,000 miles are worth at least that much. That’s pretty awesome. For those with a lot of credit cards, the catch is that The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) offers an annual CLEAR credit of up to $189, so this might not be all that useful for everyone.
Complimentary companion upgrades on award tickets
Those with the United Club Infinite Card who also have elite status in the MileagePlus program already received complimentary upgrades on award tickets, when traveling on eligible flights. Now the card is adding another benefit along those lines, as companions traveling on the same reservations on award tickets will be eligible for upgrades as well.
IHG Platinum status, $75 IHG credit
As of 2022, the United Club Infinite Card will offer IHG Rewards Platinum status for the primary cardmember. This is IHG’s mid-tier elite status, which is also offered as a perk of the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card (review). This is better than nothing if you’re staying at IHG properties anyway, but don’t get too excited about the value of this status.
On top of that, those with the United Club Infinite Card will get a $75 statement credit for IHG properties charged to the card between January 1 and December 31, 2022. That’s potentially the most valuable perk here, as that’s like $75 worth of “free” spending at IHG properties.
More Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) for spending
The opportunities to earn United Airlines status through credit card spending aren’t exactly great. The opportunities related to that will be improving on the United Club Infinite Card as of 2022.
United Club Infinite Card members will be able to earn up to 4,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) per calendar year. Specifically, you’ll be able to earn 500 PQPs per $12,000 spent on the card. In order words, you’d max that out after spending $96,000.
As a point of comparison, currently you can only earn 3,000 PQPs per year with the card. I still think there are better cards for spending, but for some this might offer an alternative method for status qualification.
Bottom line
The United Club℠ Infinite Card has just added several new perks that cardmembers should appreciate, especially since nothing is being taken away. While I don’t think there’s anything here that’s a complete game changer for most, these are some nice incremental perks.
From a discount on domestic economy awards, to a $75 IHG credit and IHG Platinum status, to 10K miles for joining CLEAR, to companion upgrades on award tickets for elite members, there’s something here for (almost) everyone.
What do you make of these new United Club Infinite Card perks?
This is BS, losing .5 miles on spending lowersthe value of this card. Those who had the older cards should have been grandfarthered! Where do we complain?
Are you completely insane? Your statement of "especially since nothing is being taken away", missed the fact that the United Club Card members are forced to migrate and we lose the 1.5 points per mile benefit. I charge $500,000 a year, that's 250,000 points! I would challenge your statement that nothing is being taken away.
I will dump the card.
Good job JOe, i was using my united club card exclusively for every other purchase that doesn't earn bonus value on the sapphire reserve, now that they have removed the biggest benefit of 1.5 miles/dollar, I am heavily considering dropping the card.
United Club Infinite Card "adds new perks" while quietly removing the 1.5 mileage benefit on all purchases. So, the best perk is removed and replaced by "new perks" which won't offset the benefit of the 1.5. Really? Just come out and admit that the 1.5 program was hurting your bottom line and show some honesty.
UAL Do you think your customers are idiots? Restore the 1.5 mileage platform at once. Your explanation of better benefits at a higher annual fee is ridiculous.
Fire your marketing genius at once! Did you really think you could sneak this by without an explanation? Morons!
Same thing, in my case 100k miles will be taken away, by removing the 0.5 points per dollar. This is the value of 3 one way economy tickets to Europe, which would cost me at least $3000.00. So this is how much is taken away in my case. After almost 2 years paying for the club membership without using a lot due to the Pandemic, I think Chase and United want me to move to...
Same thing, in my case 100k miles will be taken away, by removing the 0.5 points per dollar. This is the value of 3 one way economy tickets to Europe, which would cost me at least $3000.00. So this is how much is taken away in my case. After almost 2 years paying for the club membership without using a lot due to the Pandemic, I think Chase and United want me to move to a different provider. I am already looking for a new card. Thank you Chase, you just lost me as a customer.
I just got this letter in the mail today.
I'm pretty ticked off. This is our primary card because of the 1.5x miles on everything.
I'm looking at what I'm going to do next, but I'm definitely not reupping on this card.
You need to change your post that nothing has changed. For us that spend a lot on this card for the 1.5 miles EVERYTHING has changed and will have to move over to capital one. Sorry Chase but you can't take advantage of your customers without them moving.
Motherf...rs. I bet that the fine-print allows them to change the card and rules anytime they want. I expect business cards to follow shortly. So much for best Points/United/Business option flying to Europe
I called Chase and they told me that United is changing the terms and not Chase. Also, they informed me that there is no opt out.
The additional .5 mile/$ is the reason I was holding on to this card. It’s disappointing that after 18 months of hardly using the club benefit United is taking away the the extra .5 mile/$ benefit and increasing the fee by $75. As others have mentioned, I already have...
I called Chase and they told me that United is changing the terms and not Chase. Also, they informed me that there is no opt out.
The additional .5 mile/$ is the reason I was holding on to this card. It’s disappointing that after 18 months of hardly using the club benefit United is taking away the the extra .5 mile/$ benefit and increasing the fee by $75. As others have mentioned, I already have luggage and premier access through status and won’t miss that. It’s time to rethink my credit cards and potentially abandon United cards all together. Also, the miles earned are worth less, especially after going to the dynamic award pricing and increasing international first class tickets.
For those of us who already have the Unite Club Card and got the letter about the changes (notice that Chase doesn’t call it an upgrade anywhere), can we still refuse the upgrade and keep the old card. I value the lower annual fee and 1.5x points on everyday spending more than the new “benefits”. I wonder if the the lack of instruction on opting out (unless I missed it in the fine print) is...
For those of us who already have the Unite Club Card and got the letter about the changes (notice that Chase doesn’t call it an upgrade anywhere), can we still refuse the upgrade and keep the old card. I value the lower annual fee and 1.5x points on everyday spending more than the new “benefits”. I wonder if the the lack of instruction on opting out (unless I missed it in the fine print) is a violation of the Card Act. I want to keep my existing Club Card. Will follow up with a phone call to Chase soon.
The club card has been my everyday spending card for several years. I received a letter in the mail this week indicating my club card was being replaced with the club infinite card on Nov. 8th. The associated downgrade from 1.5 to 1 mile / $ spent is very disappointing especially given the annual fee is going up by $75. The other changes don't come close to making up for the mileage loss resulting from...
The club card has been my everyday spending card for several years. I received a letter in the mail this week indicating my club card was being replaced with the club infinite card on Nov. 8th. The associated downgrade from 1.5 to 1 mile / $ spent is very disappointing especially given the annual fee is going up by $75. The other changes don't come close to making up for the mileage loss resulting from the downgrade. As a million miler, I don't need the card's free checked bag or premier benefits and while occasionally nice, I can live without the club. In fact, I've largely lived without the club the last 18 months. Despite, continuing to pay the same annual fee for their use they have been closed! I see that a card is now available that earns 1 mile / $ and has no annual fee. That's where I'm headed.
The change is disappointing on the 1.5X mile benefit declining down to 1x. That was the only reason for this, and the savings on the club fee. Given that the club fee can be otherwise expensed if you company supports it or if you are an independent contractor, the remaining value of the Infinite card is the 4000 PQP to get to status quicker. For that, you need to spend $96K on the card. If...
The change is disappointing on the 1.5X mile benefit declining down to 1x. That was the only reason for this, and the savings on the club fee. Given that the club fee can be otherwise expensed if you company supports it or if you are an independent contractor, the remaining value of the Infinite card is the 4000 PQP to get to status quicker. For that, you need to spend $96K on the card. If you had done that with the club card, you would have earned an additional 48K miles, which is at least 2 round-trips with a saver awards. So the higher fee and the 1x reduction is a loss of value on this card!
"Best of all, this is happening without anything being taken away,..."
Uhhhh.... going from 1.5x to 1x miles on every purchase is definitely taking something away. If you are spending the $96k for the new max PQPs on this card already, that means you're immediately losing around 48,000 United Miles annually in exchange for 1000 PQPs.
Sucks they won't just leave it at 1.5x and truly make it so you aren't going backward.
..."Best of all, this is happening without anything being taken away,..."
Uhhhh.... going from 1.5x to 1x miles on every purchase is definitely taking something away. If you are spending the $96k for the new max PQPs on this card already, that means you're immediately losing around 48,000 United Miles annually in exchange for 1000 PQPs.
Sucks they won't just leave it at 1.5x and truly make it so you aren't going backward.
I use this card as my everyday card because of the 1.5x and pretty much exclusively fly Star Alliance, so this is a big blow. Think I may be canceling my card and just sticking with Priority Pass on the CSR and then signing up for Freedom Ultimate for the 1.5x. It's a shame.
@DCS
Is this card worth it
I only value your opinion as a United flyer
They lowered the points earned for purchases and raised the annual fees; meanwhile the United Clubs (those that are open) are not what they used to be.
They are converting current Chase Club cards to this one, effective November 8, 2021. I got a letter in the mail today.
Same here. Very disappointed, especially with the annual fee increase, and dropping from 1.5x to 1x on everyday spending. Will probably cancel or downgrade the card when the AF is due, especially based in PHX where the United Club has been closed entirely, and indefinitely.
Anyone know if they’re converting the old mileage plus club card $450 fee to this? A buddy claims he got an email from Bondar saying yes but I haven’t received anything. Not sure I want to upgrade as all I really value is the club membership.
I have the Club Card and just received a letter from Chase today, saying that the Club Card will become the Infinite Card on November 8, 2021. Not sure if that date is specific to me or not.
If it is like my situation, it is annual “renewal date” for your existing Club Card. Any you will pay significantly more for this “upgrade.” It is another change that you will like OR NOT!
Thanks....now I'm wondering if I should change from the United CLUB Card to the United INFINITE.
You won't really have a choice on this. If you CURRENTLY have the United Club Card, when it renews, it will renew as a United Infinite card at the new higher annual fee. Your only other choice will be to drop the card entirely (or choose a lower level United credit card).
worth noting that the PQP earned with the united credit card do not count towards 1K status. FYI!!
I think they Do now. At least for the time being
Only thing that would get me to signup for this card is a companion cert and the ability to force saver space availability on any flight.
They are taking some things away. They are dropping the mileage award on spending from 1.5 to 1.
What’s up with UA/Marriott these days? Getting replaced with IHG?
The first thing that came to my mind when I read this.
The UA Marriott is still there for now. The IHG is likely more from Chase.
I have to say, since switching to OneWorld, I have not missed United. The AA / Alaska combo is way better for my SFOLAX commute. I get upgrades, even!
I can't fathom who finds value in a lounge these days. The Snack Towers of Sadness were depressing pre-pandemic. "Same confined space, less masks and crap food" isn't a compelling value proposition for me.
I guess that's why Chase is tryin hard with this card.
Yeah, looks great, I would apply if I am not 5/24 Lol, UA probably haven’t realize if they work with Chase to remove 5/24 or dump chase, they would get more people to sign up for this without even adding anything LOL
Amit, that's exactly what they are doing. They are increasing things by 10% to make you think you are getting a discount if you buy into this overpriced fee. United Club ... (unlimited supermarket Burritos that are inedible), "Dynamic Pricing" of awards (you will never actually get a real discount but we will do our best to get you spend an insane amount of miles and also make it almost impossible to plan a trip...
Amit, that's exactly what they are doing. They are increasing things by 10% to make you think you are getting a discount if you buy into this overpriced fee. United Club ... (unlimited supermarket Burritos that are inedible), "Dynamic Pricing" of awards (you will never actually get a real discount but we will do our best to get you spend an insane amount of miles and also make it almost impossible to plan a trip with more than one person). United Mileage Plus Miles and these perks are worth next to nothing these days. Better to save that $525 fee and get an AMEX Platinum for access to lounges that don't suck or to put that to a discount business class ticket which get's you status with other Star Alliance, Sky Team, or One World carriers. United wasn't the most amazing airline but Mileage Plus used to be an actually useful frequent flyer program that got people to fly United as much as possible. It's 2021 better to do the opposite and discover all the other great airlines out there and how many more miles you can earn and if you are into it how much easier it is to get status.
LOL!
Good to see positive changes. Since they just went up by 10% on awards, the 10% discount will help normalize the economy saver awards. Wish they had added that for business awards. Had to cancel a trip that was 80k points pre pandemic for business class award ticket. Price jumped to 88k with their most recent devaluation.