Is the United Club℠ Business Card Worth the $695 Annual Fee?

Worth it for the right spender

Likely yes. On a typical business budget the United Club℠ Business Card earns about $699 a year in rewards, which already clears the $695 fee with $4 to spare, before counting any perks. Heavier spenders come out further ahead.

$695
annual fee
$699
rewards a year on a business budget
$1,100
welcome bonus value (first year)

Credits and benefits

The United Club℠ Business Card does not lean on statement credits to justify its $695 fee, so the case for it rests on rewards, the welcome bonus, and any perks like transfer partners or travel protections. That makes the math simpler: the rewards have to clear the fee.

What you earn on spending

Credits are only half the story; the card also earns rewards every time you swipe. On $45,000 of annual business spending, the United Club℠ Business Card earns about $699 a year at a flat 1 cent per point. Because this is a business card, the rate below reflects a representative small-business budget. See the full category breakdown in our United Club℠ Business Card review, or run your own numbers in the rewards calculator.

The break-even

Add it up. The United Club℠ Business Card costs $695 a year. It leans on rewards, and everyday rewards add about $699. That is a net of $4 in your favor every year you hold it, before any welcome bonus. First-year holders also collect a welcome bonus worth about $1,100, pushing the first-year total to roughly $1,104.

Frequently asked questions

Is the United Club℠ Business Card worth the annual fee?
Likely yes. On a typical business budget the United Club℠ Business Card earns about $699 a year in rewards, which already clears the $695 fee with $4 to spare, before counting any perks. Heavier spenders come out further ahead.
How do you offset the United Club℠ Business Card annual fee?
Through rewards and the welcome bonus. On a typical budget the card earns about $699 a year, clearing the fee on its own.
Is there a no-annual-fee alternative to the United Club℠ Business Card?
Yes. If you cannot clear the $695 fee, a no-fee card keeps every dollar of rewards as profit. See our ranked no-fee picks to compare.
Bryce Casson

Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. Every card is ranked by what it actually returns, with all points valued at a flat 1 cent and offers verified against issuer sources. About the author.