Small Business News

Chase and United Debut New Business Credit Card

Small business owners who travel often or want to save up miles for their next vacation will now have a new credit card option for accruing rewards. Today Chase and United unveiled the United Business Card, which will replace the previous United Explorer Business Card.

According to a press release for the new offering, the United Business Card is “designed to help business travelers maximize their miles.” As part of that goal the card offers two miles per dollar spent on gas, office supply store purchases, dining, and of course purchases from United. Additionally that two miles per dollar spent category now extends to local transit and commuting costs, which United notes includes taxi rides, ridesharing, mass transit fares, and tolls. All other purchases will earn one mile per dollar spent. For those traveling internationally, it’s also nice to know that the card won’t charge any foreign transaction fees.

With its United branding, it should come as no surprise that the United Business Card also features plenty of perks for those flying the airline. These benefits include 25% back on United inflight purchases such as Wi-Fi or food, the ability to check your first bag for free, priority boarding, and two United Club passes per year. Plus cardholders can earn a $100 annual United travel credit after making seven United flight purchases (over $100 each). Meanwhile cardholders can also collect 5,000 miles on their cardholder anniversary if they have both the United Business Card and a personal Chase United Card.

In terms of sign-up bonuses, the United Business card will launch with a 100,000-mile offer that new cardholders can earn by spending $10,000 on their card within their first three months. Notably this particular offer is set to expire on April 2nd. Also of note is that the card will carry a $99 annual fee.

Commenting on the new card, United’s Vice President of Loyalty Luc Bondar said in a statement, “We’re excited to launch the all-new United Business Card designed to help small business owners get even bigger rewards from their business expenses and travel. This card was designed to give small business owners even more ways to earn double miles in areas where they are already spending, allowing them to earn miles faster that they can use to travel to hundreds of exciting destinations United serves around the world.”

As mentioned, this new card replaces the United Explorer Business Card. In turn the United Business card now serves as the lower tier business card offering below the United Club Business Card. That product also offers two miles per dollar spent on United purchases but boasts 1.5 miles per dollar on all other purchases. Plus it includes membership to United Club, first and second free checked bags, and a suite of other “Premier Access” travel services. Naturally it also carries a heftier annual fee at $450.

For small business owners who would benefit more from miles than cashback, the new United Business Card may be a good option. At the same time hardcore road warriors might prefer the benefits of the higher-tier offering. Plus, depending on your location and loyalty, it might be more beneficial to go with a business card that isn’t tied to a specific carrier. Still it’s always nice to see companies reimagining their products in a bid to benefit small business owners and entrepreneurs.