New Chase United Club Infinite Card

[MyFault]

Looking at my United app while i was taking advantage of free change fees, and i noticed that United seems to have launched their new Club Infinite card a few days early at United.com. It's not yet visible on Chase's website, and was supposed to launch on the 15th.

100k miles after $5k spend in 3 months.

AF increase from $450 to $525

Increase from 1.5 miles per $1 spent on ALL purchases to 4 miles per $1 at United, and 2 miles per $1 on dining.

Added $100 Global Entry or TSA precheck credit

With an increased $525 AF, i would like to have seen at least a $100 United credit added. I also would have liked to see the free 1st and 2nd bags simply added to your MileagePlus account vs still having to use the Club card to pay for the flight. Adding Global entry is something that should have always been available with this card, so honestly it's still disapointing. Once again those in a Delta hub and who fly Delta still have much better options than those of us stuck with United...

100k SUB is nice though, but unfortunately i can't justify the $525 when my platinum card already gives me Global entry, and my home airport has a Centurion lounge. The Explorer card is still the one to get for me, but unfortunately i'm stuck waiting until June 2021 to be back under 5/24, or i get hit with a targeted offer in the United app or Chase portal.

What is everyone else's thoughts on the card? I was hoping to see a revision to the Explorer card as well, but based on the disapointing additions to the Club card, i don't see anything at all changing with the Explorer card now.

[Anonymous]

This is truly disappointing. I was hoping for more. I've been awaiting the launch of the new card and was so curious about any additional perks it might be getting. I agree that global entry should have already been there so that doesn't seem like much of an add to justify the new AF.

So disappointing. 

[Anonymous]

I went into my United app and also saw the ad for the new United Club card. 

In terms of the earning structure, the United club card now will earn more than the CSR when purchasing United. However, the old United Club card was 1.5 points per dollar for non category spend, which was pretty good for an airline card. Now it's down to 1 point per dollar. The additional dining and travel points per dollar are sort of useless when paired with the CSR imo. 

[notmyrealname23]

Wah-wah, sad trombone. I can't see paying $550 for this, even if the six figure SUB and club access is nice.

[Anonymous]

As I already have the United Club card, after some consideration, I do think the new earning structure is an overall improvement especially if I get grandfathered into the old AF. How does Chase operate in regards to that? Do they tend to update everyone's cards and then only charge the new AF to new card holders? Or do they only upgrade your card to the new one (new earning structure, global entry credit) only if you officially ask to be upgraded and pay the new AF?

[MyFault]

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@Anonymous wrote:

As I already have the United Club card, after some consideration, I do think the new earning structure is an overall improvement especially if I get grandfathered into the old AF. How does Chase operate in regards to that? Do they tend to update everyone's cards and then only charge the new AF to new card holders? Or do they only upgrade your card to the new one (new earning structure, global entry credit) only if you officially ask to be upgraded and pay the new AF?

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Your card will be upgraded to the new AF, along with the benefits. You can also call to ask for a replacement card to get the infinite benefits.

As for whether you'll be charged $450 or $525, that will depends on Chase's policy and when your AF is due next.

[Loquat]

I'm guessing the 4x/$1 on United is to lure some folks from using the CSR to book United flights?

[MyFault]

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@Loquat wrote:
I'm guessing the 4x/$1 on United is to lure some folks from using the CSR to book United flights?

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Likely, considering United was pissed about the CSR. 

However, i would still use my CSR to book flights. I'd rather have UR points that i can xfer to United at 1:1, or the potential to xfer elsewhere. Instead of United points that i can ONLY use with United. That is of course, personal opinion though.

[wasCB14]

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@Loquat wrote:
I'm guessing the 4x/$1 on United is to lure some folks from using the CSR to book United flights?

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Like with the newer Hyatt card.

No interest here. I transferred some of my URs to United, but mostly just fly United between ONT/LAX, SFO, and ACV (within California, and often on small CRJ-200 where a premium seat wouldn't really mean anything). I've used some of the miles, but in retrospect wish I had just used them to book revenue seats at 1.5 cpp via CSR. A monopoly on some routes means they have little incentive to lower cash prices or provide much award space.

[Citylights18]

This card is designed obviously not for someone who is going to carry both both a CSR and United Club card.

Here is a better comparison:

CSR + United Explorer ($645 AF)

CSP + United Club ($620 AF)

If you did the CSP + United Club you can keep your everyday earn with Chase but use United for all international flights, club access. If you have a flight to Tokyo but had through LA first you could take Southwest to LA with chase points then buy the United flight RT to Tokyo ($475) at 4x. You would have club access in LA for the connection to use to save you the price of lunch.

Buying a RT ticket from NYC to Maui for 1,200 dollars or 120,000 united miles is defintely a poor use of points.