United Airlines MileagePlus Business Credit Card Comparison

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Since United Airlines (UA) has established itself throughout the remainder of the previous century as one of the largest airlines worldwide, one cannot argue about the effectiveness of their business practices regarding the aptitude for expansion in light of a competitive industry.

Since United Airlines has demonstrated the understanding of business, it is only natural that a set of United Airlines Business credit cards be offered to those business owning United Airline patrons. These credit cards, the UA MileagePlus Explorer Business Card and the UA MileagePlus Club Business Card, serve as the available products to interested business owners. These offer several advantages over a typical airline credit card products on the market.

Benefits and Rewards

United Airlines MileagePlus Explorer Business Card

The main reward and benefit for the United Airlines MileagePlus Explorer Business Card relates the mile rewards program associated with United Airlines credit cards; these miles are saved up and redeemed for travel benefits in the interest of one’s self or, in this case, business. Cardholders that spend $2,000 during the initial three month period after opening an account receive a 50,000 mile bonus to their mile rewards account. In addition to this introductory bonus, cardholders are eligible for a yearly bonus of 10,000 miles when spending $25,000 within that calendar year. (See paragraph one of UA MileagePlus Club Business Card for comparison)

In addition to yearly bonuses, there are multiple rates at which miles can be saved while making purchases. Two miles per dollar are awarded when making purchases at gas stations, restaurants, and office supply stores; two miles per dollar are also awarded when making United Airline purchases. When making any other type of purchase, one mile per dollar is earned. These miles do not expire. (See paragraph two of UA MileagePlus Club Business Card for comparison)

Several travel benefits such as preferred seating, priority boarding, and free first bag check come with the Explorer Business Card. The cardholder also gains two one-time United Club passes every year which is a snapshot of the luxury provided by the Club Business Card. (See paragraph three of UA Club Business Card for comparison)

Additional employee cards are obtainable with no extra charge.

United Airlines MileagePlus Club Business Card

As implied by its name, the Club Business Card offers a different set of benefits compared to the Explorer Business Card. Cardholders gain membership to the United Club and participating Star Alliance lounges instead of mile bonuses. Additional luxuries such as Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum Status, Hertz President’s Circle Elite Status, and other luxury hotel privileges are available to the cardholder during business trips. (See paragraph one of UA MileagePlus Explorer Business Card for comparison)

The Club Business Card offers ways to build up rewards miles not unlike the Explorer Business Card. A standard rate of 1.5 miles per dollar spent on any type of purchase is awarded to Club Business Card holders; additionally, purchases made directly with United Airlines receive two miles per dollar, a 33% increase. These miles do not expire. (See paragraph two of UA MileagePlus Explorer Business Card for comparison)

Like the Explorer Business Card, the Club Business Card offers several travel benefits such as preferred seating, Premier Access (allows smoother movement through airport checkpoints), and free first and second bag checks (as opposed to one with Explorer Business Card). These are several additional offers, but many of the travel luxuries have already been discussed since they are the main focus of the card. (See paragraph three of UA MileagePlus Explorer Business Card for comparison).

Additional employee cards are obtainable with no extra charge.

Rates and Fees

United Airlines MileagePlus Explorer Business Card

An introductory fee of $0 applies for the first year after account activation which converts to the standard $95 annual fee. There are several transaction fees for the Explorer Business Card: balance transfers are charged either $5 or 5% and cash advances are charged $15 or 5%. The decision between rates is decided on which rate is larger. There are no foreign transaction fees for the Explorer Business Card. There are several stipulations to follow for late payments; for instance, $15 is charged for balances less than $100, $29 is charged for balances between $100 and $250, and $39 is charged for balances greater than $250. A returned payment will spark a fee of $39. (See paragraph one of UA MileagePlus Club Business Card for comparison)

Several annual percentage rates (APR) are present in the event of certain transactions or failed payments. A 16.24% APR accompanies regular purchases and balance transfers which are both variable. For cash advances and overdraft advances, an APR of 25.24% is charged which is also variable. Finally, a penalty APR o 29.99% is applied when needed (also variable). (See paragraph two of UA MileagePlus Club Business Card for comparison)

United Airlines MileagePlus Club Business Card

Contrary to the Explorer Business Card, the Club Business Card charges $450 annually right of the bat in order to maintain account membership. The rate for balance transfers is $5 or 5% (depending on rate value), and the rate for cash advances is $15 or 5% (same stipulation as balance transfers). Like the Explorer Business Card, there is no foreign transaction fee to worry about while spending money abroad. A penalty fee on late payments follows the same rules as the Explorer counterpart: $15 for balances less than $100, $29 for balances between $100 and $250, and $39 for balances over $250. Additionally, returned payments receive a $39 charge. (See paragraph one of UA MileagePlus Explorer Business Card for comparison)

In complete similarity to the Explorer Business Card, the APRs are all the same. 16.24% for regular purchases and balance transfers, 25.24% for cash advance and overdraft advances, and 29.99% for any penalty inducing infractions. These rates are all variable. (See paragraph two of UA Explorer Business Card for comparison)

Bottom Line

The decision between the Explorer and Club Business Cards falls on the needs of the involved business. If simple travel is all that is required, then the Explorer Business Card is the obvious decision. If a business requires fraternization with a certain client within luxury settings, then the Club Business Card can prove quite useful. They each come with their perks and associated drawbacks, but the associated necessities drive the decision between the two since they are specifically geared towards different types of business.