Amex Business Gold vs United Club: Which Is Better In 2026?

United Club Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of The United Club℠ Card.

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• For frequent United flyers, the complimentary United Club membership provides significant value and comfort while traveling.
• The card includes a host of premium travel perks like free checked bags and priority airport services that make the travel day smoother.
• It offers a way for cardholders to earn Premier Qualifying Points, helping them achieve elite status with the airline faster.

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Pros

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• Complimentary United Club℠ membership provides access to an extensive network of airport lounges for a more comfortable travel day.
• A generous free checked bag allowance and priority airport services through Premier Access® streamline the travel process.
• The ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) through card spending provides a valuable shortcut to elite status with the airline.

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Cons

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• The high annual fee can be difficult to justify for travelers who don't fly United often enough to maximize the lounge access benefit.
• Benefits are heavily skewed toward United Airlines, offering less flexibility and value for those who aren't loyal to the airline.
• Bonus reward categories are limited compared to other premium travel cards, and there are caps on earning elite-qualifying points through spending.

United Club vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better Amex Business Gold or United Club depends entirely on your spending habits and travel preferences. Each card is tailored to a very different type of user.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is best suited for businesses with varied expenses across multiple categories, especially those who value flexible rewards and premium protections. Terms Apply.
• The United Club℠ Card: Aimed at frequent United Airlines flyers and brand loyalists, this card is ideal for travelers who prioritize airport comfort and streamlined priority services when flying with the airline.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: Points earned with this card offer significant flexibility, allowing you to transfer them to a wide array of airline and hotel partners or redeem them for travel and statement credits. Terms Apply.

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The United Club℠ Card: Rewards are earned as miles that are best used within the United MileagePlus program for booking award flights, upgrading seats, and other travel-related purchases with the airline.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a comprehensive tool that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• The ability to ‘Test Drive’ cards by simulating potential earnings based on your actual spending data, all before you apply.
• Personalized card matching to find the options that will earn you the most rewards based on your spending history.
• A detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards, based on your credit report.
• Access to Kudos Boost, which lets you earn extra rewards on top of your card’s regular earnings when shopping at participating stores.
• A welcome offer guarantee that matches any better public offer you find within three months of being approved for a card through the platform.
• Tools to track spending, monitor your credit score, and manage all your cards in one place.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is built for businesses with significant and variable expenses, particularly those spending over $50,000 annually. The card automatically rewards your top two spending categories each billing cycle with 4X points on up to $150,000 in combined purchases per year, then 1X. This structure makes it a powerful tool for companies looking to maximize returns on common costs like advertising, shipping, or technology purchases; Terms Apply.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Card is ideally suited for frequent United flyers, particularly business and international travelers who value airport lounge access and premium travel perks. These cardholders are typically looking to maximize their comfort with benefits like complimentary United Club membership and make their journey smoother with Premier Access services. It's also a strategic tool for those chasing United MileagePlus Premier status, as card spending contributes to earning Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs).

Alternatives to Consider

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If our comparison of the American Express® Business Gold Card vs. the United Club card has you thinking neither is the right choice, don't worry. Let's explore a few other options that might be a better fit for your business or travel needs.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure it meets the card’s requirements for approval.
• Review your spending habits to confirm you can maximize the card’s unique rewards categories.
• Understand issuer-specific rules, as you may not be eligible for a welcome offer if you've had certain cards before.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application to align with a large planned purchase to help meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Try different application channels if you don't receive the best offer, such as using a referral link or a different browser.
• Have a redemption plan for how you will use the points or miles to ensure you're choosing the right card for your goals.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I get lounge access with the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card does not include complimentary lounge access as a standard benefit. Cardholders would need a separate membership, like Priority Pass, to access airport lounges.

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Is the United Club℠ Infinite Card good for non-United flyers?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card is primarily designed for frequent United Airlines flyers, as its main perks like lounge access and free checked bags are specific to the airline. Travelers who fly with various carriers may find a more general travel rewards card to be more valuable.

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Can I transfer points from the Amex Business Gold to United Airlines?

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You cannot transfer American Express Membership Rewards points directly to United MileagePlus. However, you can transfer points to other Star Alliance partners, like Air Canada Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles, and then book United flights through them.

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