The 4 Best Credit Cards for United Club Lounge Access [2024]

Are you sick and tired of crowded airport terminals with overpriced food? Airport lounges might be something to consider. Over the years, access to airport lounges has been a necessary perk on some of the most popular travel credit cards.

There are many airport lounges, including lounges that are part of a network, like Priority Pass, or airline-specific lounges, like Delta Sky Club, American Admirals Club, and United Club.

United Club access is available to United Club members, Star Alliance Gold members, passengers traveling in United Polaris business class or United first class, or passengers who purchase a one-time pass.

Each lounge offers different amenities and services; however, most include the same basics, such as complimentary refreshments, drinks (including alcohol in some locations), spacious sitting areas, private restrooms, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

To enter a United Club, you’ll need a boarding pass for same-day travel, along with either a one-time pass, your valid United Club membership card, or an eligible United credit card.

Below, you’ll see all the options available to get into a United Club for your next trip.

The 4 Best Credit Cards With United Club Access — Overview

Before we take an in-depth dive into each card, let’s first look at which cards provide United Club access:

Credit Card	Annual Fee	Lounge Access
United Club℠ Infinite Card	$525	Complimentary United Club membership
United Club℠ Business Card	$450	Complimentary United Club membership
United℠ Business Card	$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99	2 United Club one-time passes each year
United℠ Explorer Card	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95	2 United Club one-time passes each year

Hot Tip:

Check out our guide to learn the best ways to earn lots of United MileagePlus miles.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

If you are a frequent United flyer, the United Club Infinite card might be worth having in your wallet. The card comes with an annual United Club membership that allows the primary cardholder and 2 adult companions (or 1 adult and any dependent children under the age of 21) access to United Clubs.

Although the card comes with a pretty high $525 annual fee, the premium card provides plenty of great perks and an annual United Club membership.

Some of the perks of the United Club Infinite card include:

• Free Checked Baggage: Cardholders + 1 companion on the same reservation will each receive your first and second standard checked bag free when you pay for your flight with the United Club Infinite card.
• United Premier Access: Perks include priority check-in, priority boarding, security screening (where available), and baggage handling.
• Complimentary Premier Upgrades: Receive a space-available seat upgrade to the next cabin class when flying on United award tickets.
• 25% Back on United Inflight Purchases: Use your card to purchase onboard food, beverages, or Wi-Fi and get 25% back as a statement credit.
• Up to 10,000 Premier Qualifying Points: You will earn 25 PQPs towards your next level of United Elite status, up to 10,000 PQPs each year for every $500 spent on your card.
• No foreign transaction fees

Cardholders also get extra travel protections such as trip delay coverage, lost or delayed baggage insurance, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance. The card also provides purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty coverage.

Authorized users on the card do not receive their own United Club membership.

If you consider United Club lounge access a must and frequently check bags with United, the United Club Infinite card is an excellent card to carry in your wallet. The annual fee on this card is cheaper than buying a paid membership. More on that later.

United Club℠ Business Card

For business travelers who regularly fly with United and are looking for United Club access, the United Club Business card is worth considering. The card offers some great perks, such as:

• First and second checked bags are free for you and up to 1 traveling companion
• Premier access travel services
• Premier upgrades on award tickets
• 25% statement credit on inflight purchases when flying United
• Ability to earn 25 PQPs for every $500 you spend, up to 1,000 PQPs each year
• Complimentary Avis Preferred President’s Club status

Most importantly, the card comes with a complimentary United Club membership. It is worth noting that authorized users on the card do not receive their own United Club membership.

Although the United Club Business card comes with a $450 annual fee, it is still cheaper than a paid membership.

United℠ Business Card

The United Business card is another option for travelers who fly on United from time to time. The card offers 2 single-use United Club passes each year, valid for 12 months from when they are issued.

The card also comes with some other perks, including:

• First checked bag free for you and up to 1 traveling companion
• 25% statement credit on inflight purchases when flying United
• Priority boarding
• Premier upgrades on award tickets
• Ability to earn 25 PQPs for every $500 you spend, up to 1,000 PQPs each year
• $100 United annual travel credit each year that you make 7 United flight-related purchases of $100 or more with your card

If you want to receive benefits on your United flights and are working towards United elite status, the United Business card might make a great addition to your wallet.

United℠ Explorer Card

If you are neither a frequent United traveler nor a business owner, don’t worry; there is still another option. The United Explorer card may be the best option for the occasional United flyer.

For those wanting United Club access, the United Explorer card includes 2 single-use United Club passes each year, valid for 12 months from when they are issued. You also receive 2 passes after each cardmember anniversary. The day passes do not include guest access.

In addition to the United Club passes, you get some other perks with the card, including:

• First checked bag free for you and up to 1 traveling companion
• 25% statement credit on inflight purchases when flying United
• Priority boarding
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit
• Premier upgrades on award tickets

If you fly United a few times a year, having the United Explorer card in your wallet may be worth it. It also has the lowest annual fee among all the cards discussed.

Bottom Line:

The United Club Infinite card and United Club Business card offer unlimited United Club access. The United Business card and United Explorer card each offer 2 United Club passes per year.

Other Ways To Access United Clubs

Paid Membership

A United Club membership gives you access to more than 45 United Club locations worldwide. United sells memberships, and members can pay with either cash or miles. The price of the United membership varies based on your United MileagePlus Premier Elite status:

United MileagePlus Premier Status	Annual Membership Price
General member	$650 or 85,000 miles
Premier Silver	$650 or 85,000 miles
Premier Gold	$650 or 85,000 miles
Premier Platinum	$600 or 80,000 miles
Premier 1K	$550 or 75,000 miles

One-Time Pass

A United Club one-time pass provides 1 person admission to a United Club lounge location. The pass is good for a single use and does not include guest access.

As of July 2023, a one-time pass is $59. You can purchase a one-time pass on the United mobile app or in person at the lounge.

United MileagePlus Elite Status

United MileagePlus members with United Premier Gold status (or higher) have access to United Club lounges when internationally on any Star Alliance carrier, regardless of their class of service. They can also bring 1 guest; the guest must travel on the same flight.

Star Alliance Gold Status

Star Alliance Gold status members with status through a partner airline program can access United Clubs with any same-day Star Alliance boarding pass. This includes United domestic flights. They can also bring 1 guest; the guest must travel on the same flight.

Flying Premium Cabin on a United or Star Alliance Flight

You can also access a United Club if traveling in business or first class on a Star Alliance partner airline. United Clubs are only available at the international gateway airport.

Active U.S. Military Personnel

Active U.S. military personnel also have access to United Clubs. You must have a same-day United boarding pass with a valid military ID and be dressed in uniform or have leave orders or rest and recuperation papers with you. Eligible military personnel can bring family members traveling on the same flight.

Hot Tip:

If you do not consistently fly United but still want lounge access, check out our guide to the best credit cards for airport lounge access.

United Polaris Lounges

It is worth noting that United has another set of exclusive lounges called United Polaris lounges, which are United’s premium lounges for long-haul business class passengers.

These lounges are significantly more exclusive and among the best you can find. Polaris lounges offer extra amenities such as shower suites, exclusive rest areas, day beds, and à la carte dining.

However, access to United Polaris lounges is a bit different.

First, no credit card offers United Polaris lounge access. You can only access United Polaris lounges when flying on a long-haul international flight in United Polaris business class. Traveling in business or first class with a Star Alliance partner airline can also grant you access.

There is also no way to access Polaris Lounges based on United elite status.

Final Thoughts

We can all agree that airport lounge access makes our travels a bit easier. Whether you are looking for some peace and quiet or you are looking to get a snack, United Clubs have you covered.

United offers numerous ways to access its United Clubs. If you are a frequent United traveler, consider whether a United co-branded credit card may be right for you. It costs less to pay the annual fee on the United Club Infinite card or the United Club Business card than to buy a United Club membership outright.