Let’s travel together.

UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card review: Full details

1


UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card overview

The UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card provides many benefits, including popular perks such as a Priority Pass Select membership and price protection, that most other cards have discontinued. However, earning rates are modest, and some cardholders may struggle to maximize redemptions. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

The UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card is generally not spoken of much within travel credit card circles. However, it has useful perks like statement credits, price protection and a Priority Pass membership, making it stand out among the crowd. Approved applicants have a credit score of 730 or better.

This card certainly isn’t a good fit for everyone, especially with a $495 annual fee.

Let’s examine the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card closer to see whether it is a good addition to your wallet.

The information for the UBS Visa Infinite Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card pros and cons

Pros Cons
  • Statement credits
  • Access to hotel VIP programs/benefits
  • Lounge access
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • High annual fee
  • No transfer partners
  • High spending requirement for annual travel credit

UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card welcome offer

One of the biggest downsides of the UBS Visa Infinite card is that it currently does not offer any sort of a welcome bonus.

THE POINTS GUY

In the past, the card featured a welcome offer. You must call UBS or contact your UBS financial adviser to apply for the card, which differs from the application process for most cards. Elevated welcome bonuses are sometimes available to UBS clients when they speak with their UBS financial adviser.

If you’re looking for a premium travel rewards card that currently has a welcome offer, consider applying for a card like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Related: The best credit card welcome offers this month

UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card benefits

The UBS Visa Infinite card is loaded with benefits and perks, including some benefits that most other issuers have slashed from their cards. One of the card’s best benefits is its Priority Pass Select membership.

SCOTT MAYEROWITZ/THE POINTS GUY

Plus, the UBS Visa Infinite offers excellent shopping protections — including increasingly rare price protection and almost unheard-of event ticket protection — when you make purchases with your card:

  • Purchase security of up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder
  • Price protection of up to $500 per item and $1,500 per year
  • Return protection of up to $300 per item and $1,000 per year
  • Extended warranty service extends warranties of three years or less by up to one year (for up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder)
  • Event ticket protection of up to $500 per event ticket, $2,000 per event and $5,000 per year

The card comes with a $250 airline fee credit, which works similarly to the airline fee credit offered by select Amex cards (enrollment may be required; terms apply). The UBS Visa Infinite’s airline fee credit is for ancillary airline fees on one qualifying U.S. domestic airline that you’ve selected.

Examples of eligible airline fees include preferred seating upgrades, checked baggage fees, inflight entertainment, onboard food and beverage charges and airport lounge fees. You need to select a qualifying airline in advance; you won’t be able to change your selection until the next calendar year, so choose carefully.

Cardholders also get access to various additional travel benefits and perks, including:

  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit of up to $100 every four years.
  • Access to book hotel stays with elitelike benefits through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
  • Access to additional elitelike perks, amenities and rates at Leading Hotels of the World, LVH Global, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Marriott International Luminous, Marriott International STARS, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Relais & Chateaux, Shangri-La, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels & Resorts properties when you book through the UBS Concierge
  • Trip delay reimbursement up to $500 per ticket to reimburse the cost of meals and lodging if a trip is delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay
  • Baggage delay coverage up to $100 per day for three days (capped at $300 over 12 months).
  • Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance up to $5,000 per common carrier fare
  • Lost luggage reimbursement up to $5,000 per covered trip (New York residents limited to $2,000 in coverage per bag)
  • Primary coverage reimbursement for collision or damage, up to the value of most rental cars
  • Paid emergency medical evacuation and transportation coverage up to $100,000
  • Travel accident insurance up to $1,000,000
  • Rental car discounts with Avis and National
  • Private aviation benefits with NetJets
MLADENBALINOVAC/GETTY IMAGES

Finally, cardholders also get access to these other perks:

  • UBS Concierge to assist with coordinating travel planning, dining, entertainment, event ticket access and more
  • Use your card at any ATM and pay no cash advance or finance charges (if funds are available in a linked UBS resource management account), plus get unlimited ATM fee rebates on cash withdrawals in the U.S. (up to $10 per transaction)
  • No foreign transaction fees

Related: Everything you need to know about the Visa Infinite program’s benefits

Earning points on the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card

The UBS Visa Infinite earns 3 points per dollar spent on commercial air travel, 2 points per dollar spent on gas and groceries and 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Since points are generally redeemable for 1 to 1.8 cents each, you’ll get an effective return of 3 to 5.4% on commercial air travel, 2 to 3.6% on gas and groceries and 1 to 1.8% on all other purchases.

DANYAL AHMED/THE POINTS GUY

There’s no cap to the points you can earn, and points don’t expire as long as your card is open.

Related: The best credit cards for booking flights

Redeeming points on the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card

There are many options for redeeming your points. You can redeem online through UBS Online Services or over the phone with the UBS Rewards Desk, but you’ll want to redeem for a flight costing as close to $900 as possible without going over.

Although you can redeem a ticket costing more than $900, you must pay the price difference using additional points at a rate of 5,000 points per $50. You can only make additional payments with points, and you must do so in increments of 5,000 points. But redeeming for a ticket well under $900 leaves potential value on the table.

Assuming you can find a flight bookable through UBS for just under $900, this means you can get up to 1.8 cents per point. Alternatively, you could redeem 25,000 points through the UBS Rewards Service Center for one flight costing up to $350 — but this would only give you up to 1.4 cents per point.

If you have trouble finding a flight just under $900 or just under $350, there are other redemption options. For example, you can pay with points for gift cards and merchandise. You can also cover your annual fee with points. But these other options generally provide no more than one cent of value per point.

This is certainly an unorthodox redemption scheme for a travel card, and it’s not one that I’m a particular fan of.

Related: How to decide whether to use cash or miles for airline tickets

Which cards compete with the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card?

If you’re considering the UBS Visa Infinite, you’re likely comparing it against other premium travel cards.

  • If you want a premium card with a lower annual fee: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers generous access to Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and Capital One lounges with a better annual fee of $395 (see rates and fees). The card also provides travel protections, and cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. Cardholders also receive up to $300 in travel credits each year to use on Capital One Travel. To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture X.
  • If you want more statement credits: The Platinum Card from American Express is the pinnacle of premium luxury cards. The card offers access to Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and the Amex Centurion Lounge network. Enrollment is required; terms apply. The card does come with a higher annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees). To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
  • If you prefer Chase and flexible travel credit: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a generous and easy-to-use $300 travel credit annually for Chase Travel℠ purchases that helps offset the card’s $550 annual fee. The card comes with Priority Pass lounge access, including access to Chase’s own brand of lounges opening within the U.S. The card earns 3 points per dollar on dining and travel purchases made outside of Chase Travel (after the first $300 in travel purchases each year). These categories are broadly defined, helping you earn points faster. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.

For additional options, check out our full lists of the best travel credit cards and best premium travel cards.

Related: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which card is right for you?

Is the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card worth it?

The UBS Visa Infinite charges a $495 annual fee, but it can be a good option for travelers who can get value from high-end, service-oriented benefits. The card also offers some of the most comprehensive travel and shopping benefits that you’ll find on a currently available travel rewards card. That said, you’ll likely want to pass on this card if you won’t get significant value from its perks, if you’re looking for a card with lucrative earning rates or want a card that earns transferable rewards.

Bottom line

Despite lackluster earning rates, the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card provides valuable benefits that may justify its $495 annual fee for some. From comprehensive travel protections and premium travel benefits to price protection, many of the card’s benefits can effectively offset the card’s annual fee.

You’re most likely to get significant value from the card if you’re in the market for premium travel perks such as private aviation benefits, elitelike amenities at select hotel brands and a knowledgeable concierge.


Related: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card review

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, please click here.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.



Source link

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.