Chase Sapphire Preferred vs United Club: Which Is Better In 2025?

United Club Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why the United Club℠ Card stands out.

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• Cardholders receive a complimentary United Club membership, which grants access to more than 45 United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide.

• While the card carries a significant annual fee, it has no foreign transaction fees, which is a major plus for international travelers.

• The combined value of the United Club membership (valued at up to $650) and free checked bags for two people (worth up to $320 per roundtrip) can easily surpass the card's annual fee for those who fly United at least once a year with a companion (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Complimentary United Club membership offers access to an extensive network of airport lounges worldwide.

• A generous free checked bag allowance for you and a companion, plus Premier Access® services for priority treatment at the airport.

• Strong rewards on United purchases, travel, and dining, with a pathway to earn elite status credits through card spending.

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Cons

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• The card comes with a substantial annual fee, which can be difficult to justify unless you frequently take advantage of the United Club lounges.

• Its benefits are heavily skewed toward United loyalists, making it less appealing if you don't regularly fly with the airline or its Star Alliance partners.

• Compared to other premium travel cards, it offers fewer bonus categories for earning miles on everyday spending.

United Club vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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When considering which is better, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or The United Club℠ Card, it's crucial to recognize they serve different traveler profiles. Each card excels in its own niche, offering unique benefits tailored to specific travel styles and priorities.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - This is a versatile, entry-level travel rewards card ideal for frequent travelers seeking to maximize rewards and get strong travel protections without a premium annual fee. It's best for those who want flexible redemption options.
• The United Club℠ Card - This premium airline card is designed for United loyalists and frequent flyers who value airport lounge access and premium travel benefits. It's best for travelers looking to enhance their experience specifically with United Airlines.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Points earned with this card can be redeemed for travel through the Chase portal or transferred to various airline and hotel partners, offering significant flexibility. Cardholders can also redeem their points for cash back or statement credits.

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The United Club℠ Card: Rewards are primarily redeemed within the United Airlines ecosystem, allowing cardholders to use their miles for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related purchases with the airline.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is built around flexibility and value through the Chase portal.
  • Travel Portal: Cardholders book travel through the comprehensive Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: There are no foreign transaction fees.
  • Travel Protections: It comes with a solid package of travel insurance, including an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and baggage delay insurance.
  • Lounge Access: This card does not include complimentary airport lounge access as a standard benefit.
• The United Club℠ Card: The ecosystem for this card is deeply integrated with United Airlines, focusing on enhancing the airport and flying experience.
  • Lounge Access: Its signature perk is a United Club℠ membership, which grants access to United Club lounges and participating Star Alliance™ affiliated lounges worldwide.
  • Airline-Specific Perks: Cardholders and a companion receive their first and second checked bags free. It also includes Premier Access® for priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: There are no foreign transaction fees.
  • Travel Protections: It offers a similar suite of travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the best choice for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your actual spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to see projected rewards and net value before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with the best cards for your unique spending patterns, eliminating the guesswork.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of approval.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards when you shop at your favorite stores, which stack on top of your existing credit card rewards.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want to earn significant rewards without committing to a premium annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those who value robust travel protections and flexible point redemption options, making it a top entry-level travel rewards card. However, occasional travelers or those who prefer the simplicity of a no-annual-fee cash back card might find other options to be a better fit.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Card is tailor-made for the die-hard United loyalist who flies the airline several times a year. These travelers, often flying for business or internationally, will find immense value in the complimentary United Club membership and Premier Access services that streamline the airport experience. Additionally, those looking to save on baggage fees or earn Premier Qualifying Points toward elite status will find this card to be a powerful tool in their travel arsenal, as detailed in this card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. United Club℠ Card comparison has you feeling like neither option is the perfect travel companion, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards on the market worth considering.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of application restrictions like the Chase 5/24 rule before you apply.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without forcing purchases.

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Application Strategy

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• Align the card with your lifestyle - Choose a card whose benefits match your travel and spending habits, like a co-branded card for a frequent flyer.
• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement naturally.
• Don't settle for a lower offer - Be patient if searching independently and try multiple methods if one doesn't work initially.

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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Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offer any airport lounge access?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card does not include complimentary airport lounge access. However, it does provide a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, which can add value to your travels in other ways.

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Can I transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® to United Airlines?

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Yes, a significant benefit of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the ability to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to airline and hotel partners, including United MileagePlus®, typically at a 1:1 ratio.

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Is the United Club℠ Card's annual fee justified if I'm not a frequent United flyer?

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The value of the United Club℠ Card is heavily weighted towards its United-specific perks, most notably the United Club℠ membership. If you don't fly with United Airlines often enough to take full advantage of the lounge access and other benefits, a more flexible travel rewards card may be more suitable.

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