United Business card adds $100 United credit, anniversary bonus and more + 100,000-mile Bonus

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Today, Chase and United have announced massive changes to the benefits of the United℠ Business Card as well as offering a new 100,000 United mile sign-up bonus.

Increased United Business Credit Card Offer

The bonus offer for the United℠ Business Card is:

  • 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first three months from account opening

While that may seem like a pretty big minimum spend, we’ve written about some of the creative ways to meet those numbers. It’s also significantly less than the minimum spend of the last offer, which required you to spend $25,000 over six months.

United Business Credit Card new benefits

Many co-brand airline credit cards have been getting a major revamp to remain relevant in the competitive rewards credit card landscape, and the United℠ Business Card is no exception. Starting today cardholders will receive these new benefits:

  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on local transit and commuting – including taxis, mass transit, tolls, and ride share services
  • 5,000 bonus miles each anniversary when you have new United Business Card and a personal United card
  • $100 annual United travel credit after seven United flight purchases of $100 or more
  • 25% back of United inflight purchases (includes Wi-Fi, food and beverages)

It’s great to see the expansion of bonus categories with the 2x miles on taxi, ride-hailing purchases and mass transit purchases. And for frequent United Flyers, it makes it even more compelling to put spend on the United℠ Explorer Business Card now that you can earn a $100 United credit travel credit.

The 5,000 bonus miles for holding both a personal and business United credit card is interesting and valuable, but I find it hard to imagine that too many people hold both of the cards at the same time.

Those benefits are in addition to what the card currently offers:

  • 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases
  • 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, office supply stores and restaurants
  • 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Free first checked bag
  • Priority boarding
  • United ClubSM one-time passes at account opening and on each Cardmember anniversary
  • No blackout dates
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • No foreign transaction fees

The annual fee will rise from $95 to $99, which is a nominal cost for the new benefits.

MMS editor Jason appreciates the lounge passes because there aren’t any Priority Pass lounges in his home airports’ domestic terminals, so they come in handy. Remember that as of Nov. 1, 2019, you’re only able to enter United Club lounges when traveling with United.

The United℠ Business Card has a $99 annual fee, but having any United Airlines credit card is great for the occasional United flyer because so many of the cards’ perks mimic some very useful United Airlines elite status benefits. In addition to priority boarding and a free checked bag for you and a companion (when you pay with your United card), you’ll also have access to more award seats than members who don’t have United Airlines elite status or a United Airlines credit card. That can be a lifesaver when your travel dates aren’t flexible.

Having a United card like the United℠ Business Card is also essential for United Airlines elite-status members because when you combine elite status with a United card, you are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades on award flights. Keep in mind that upgrades on award flights are prioritized after the lowest paid-fare class.

You can read our full review of the United Business Card here.

This fall United Airlines got rid of its award chart (for flights on its own metal) and award flights are now priced dynamically. This is a double-edged sword. Award flights for popular routes or dates are likely to end up being more expensive, but on the other hand, we’re already seeing United airlines awards for as little as 5,000 miles one-way. The prices for United Airlines partner awards won’t be subject to dynamic pricing and one of the best uses of United Airlines miles is to book partner awards because fuel surcharges won’t be added. The lack of surcharges can save you hundreds of dollars on one-way flights.

In order to qualify for this card you will need to be under Chase’s 5/24 limit, but because Chase doesn’t report small business cards to your personal credit report the United Business credit card won’t add to your 5/24 count.

Brendan Dorsey is an editor at Million Mile Secrets. He loves all things travel, points, miles and credit cards. He's worked for TIME and The Points Guy and has appeared on MSN, Yahoo Finance, Readers Digest, USA Today, CreditCards.com and more.

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

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