If you're willing to splurge a little bit, I personally belive the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and the United MileagePlus Club Card is the perfect combo for a United pilot. United and Marriott are very tight with eachother, so most our layover hotels are Marriott properties. I always book a Marriott property when I have an uncommutable trip, and depenidng the current promo can earn up to 21 points for every $1 spent on a room. I have aquired enough points for multiple free nights and have only hard this card for 6 months. The Marriott card automatically upgrades your account to Platinum Elite, giving you club access when available. On top of that, there's an annual $300 dining credit and annual free night award so the card practically pays for itself. With regards to the United Club Card, if you are a commuter it is amazing. Get to a hub 2 hours before your trip? Have a long sit in a hub? Throw on a jacket and get a free meal + coffee in the club. With how expensive airport food is, this card too will pay for itself fairly quickly.