The world of premium travel rewards cards is a vast ocean teeming with options. Whether you’re chasing transferable rewards or striving to maximize perks within your favorite loyalty program, choosing the right credit card can significantly elevate your travel experiences. Today, I’m diving deep into two titans of the travel credit card landscape: the United Club Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. I’ll break down their earning potential, benefits, and lounge access features to help you determine which card deserves a place in your wallet.
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Head-to-Head: United Club Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
To get us started, here’s a quick comparison of the key features:
| Feature | United Club Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve | |—|—|—| | Welcome Bonus | 95,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months | 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months | | Earning Rates | 9x miles on United flights, 5x miles on prepaid stays through Renowned Hotels and Resorts, 4x miles on other United purchases, 2x miles on dining and travel, 1x mile on everything else | 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel and eligible Peloton purchases, 5x points on flights through Chase Travel and Lyft rides, 3x points on dining and other travel, 1x point on everything else | | Estimated Value (per point/mile) | 1.35 cents per mile | 2.05 cents per point | | Annual Fee | $695 | $550 | | Lounge Access | United Club membership (plus potential for United Club All Access) | Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass Select membership | | Other Standout Benefits | Free checked bags on United, priority perks, elite status shortcuts, expanded award availability, mileage discount on United Economy Saver awards | Annual travel credit, monthly Lyft credit, bonus points on Chase Travel redemptions, property credit through The Edit by Chase Travel |
Now, let’s examine these cards in more detail.
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Welcome Bonus Showdown
New cardmembers always want to know about the welcome bonus. The United Club Card currently offers 95,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months. Based on valuations, that bonus is worth around $1,283 toward United flights.
Meanwhile, the Chase Sapphire Reserve greets new cardholders with a welcome offer of 60,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months. Valued at roughly $1,230, this bonus provides considerable value.
Winner: The United Club Card wins in this category because the current welcome bonus is worth about $50 more.
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Unveiling the Benefits
Both the United Club Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve pack a punch when it comes to benefits, each offering unique perks and advantages.
Lounge Access:
The United Club Card provides a United Club membership granting access to over 45 United Clubs worldwide. I find this benefit particularly valuable when traveling frequently with United, as it offers a quiet and comfortable space to relax and refuel. This membership includes access for one adult guest and dependent children under 18. Additionally, you can unlock United Club All Access membership by spending $50,000 on purchases with your card in a calendar year. This upgraded tier includes access to Star Alliance lounges, allows you to bring an additional adult guest into United Clubs, and provides four one-time passes for authorized users annually.
On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers access to the growing network of Chase Sapphire Lounges and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Priority Pass grants access to over 1,700 lounges worldwide, making it a fantastic option for travelers who prioritize lounge access regardless of the airline they’re flying.
Other Benefits:
The United Club Card shines if you frequently fly with United. Some of my favorite perks include free checked bags (for both myself and a companion on the same reservation), priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling. The card also grants expanded award availability and a 25% discount on United inflight purchases. Furthermore, I appreciate the shortcut to elite status through an annual boost (starting in 2026) and spending.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit, which is incredibly easy to redeem. I love this credit because it automatically kicks in on my first $300 in travel purchases each account anniversary year. The Reserve also includes a $10 monthly Lyft credit and a 50% bonus on points redeemed through Chase Travel. Booking through The Edit provides a $100 property credit and room upgrades (upon availability).
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve, as its benefits are broader and easier for the everyday traveler to use.
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Earning Potential: A Deep Dive
The United Club Card offers impressive earning rates on United purchases. You’ll earn 9 miles per dollar spent on United flights, 5 miles per dollar spent on stays purchased through Renowned Hotels and Resorts, 4 miles per dollar spent on all other United purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on dining and all other travel, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 10 points per dollar spent on hotel and car rental bookings made through Chase Travel and eligible Peloton purchases, 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked through Chase Travel and Lyft rides, 3 points per dollar spent on all other travel and dining purchases, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve because while the United Club offers lucrative earnings on United flights, the Sapphire Reserve’s broader categories win out.
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Redemption Flexibility: Unlocking Maximum Value
When it comes to redemption, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers greater flexibility. You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to a wide range of airline and hotel partners, including United. This means you can still use your points for United flights while retaining the flexibility to redeem for other travel experiences.
Chase points provide incredible redemption opportunities. For example, you can transfer points to the World of Hyatt program for luxurious stays. Alternatively, you can book travel through Chase Travel with your points at a fixed value of 1.5 cents each.
United miles, on the other hand, are more restrictive, as they can only be redeemed for United flights, flights with its partners, and other United-related purchases.
Winner: The Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its redemption and transfer options are much more flexible.
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The Verdict: Which Card Should You Choose?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve emerges as the better all-around travel card. It offers valuable Ultimate Rewards points across multiple high-earning bonus categories and allows you to transfer those points to United if you prefer.
However, the United Club Card is the superior choice if you are fiercely loyal to United, value access to United Clubs, and desire priority perks when flying with the airline. As a final reminder, both cards are subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, so consider your recent credit card application history before applying. Ultimately, the decision hinges on your travel preferences and loyalty to specific brands.
