| Last updated on November 17th, 2023
United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card
- 21.74% to 28.74% variable Regular Purchase APR
- 21.74% to 28.74% variable Balance Transfer APR
- 29.49% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
A co-branded airline credit card with robust rewards earning capabilities, the United? Explorer Card is convenient for the most crucial aspects of a getaway – business or otherwise.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Member FDIC
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.74% to 28.74% variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 21.74% to 28.74% variable
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.49% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Annual Fee: $0 for the first year. After that, $95
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- You travel often
- You frequently book travel with United Airlines and/or are a member of its MileagePlus program
- You use a credit card for everyday purchases at restaurants
- You make regular in-flight purchases
- You often travel with checked luggage
United℠ Explorer Card Review
If planning the next trip is constantly on your mind, the United℠ Explorer Card can help you reach that goal quickly. With the UnitedSM Explorer Card from Chase, travelers benefit from an array of great airport perks and benefits, as well as an impressive miles-earning rate with every purchase.
Impressive Miles Welcome Bonus
New United Explorer cardmembers can earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months the account is open. That sign-up bonus has a cash equivalence of approximately $600 for a $3,000 spend – or about 17% cash back.
How to Earn MileagePlus Miles
The United Explorer Card offers enhanced miles on select purchases where the occasional traveler can really pack on the points. The card earns 2X miles on United purchases and 2X miles on dining and hotels – with all other purchases earning 1X miles.
The double miles on both United and hotel and dining purchases are quality earning rates – not too high to justify a steep annual fee, but lucrative enough to make the Explorer a serious travel rewards credit card. United MileagePlus miles do not expire.
United Personal Credit Card Comparison
 Gateway |
 Explorer |
 Quest℠ |
 Club℠ |
|
| Annual fee | None | $95 ($0 first year) | $250 | $525 |
| Rewards | 2X on United and gas purchases, 1X on all else | 2X on United, dining, hotels booked directly, 1X on all else | 3X on United purchases, 2X on travel, dining, and streaming, 1X on all else | 4X on United purchases, 2X on travel, 1X on all else |
| In-flight savings | 25% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| Free bags | - | 1st bag | 1st & 2nd bag | 1st & 2nd bag |
| TSA PreCheck | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lounge access | - | United Club (2X/year) | - | United Club (unlimited) |
How to Redeem Rewards
Redeeming MileagePlus miles is a straightforward process. The most common is to redeem rewards for flights, either with United Airlines directly or through Star Alliance partners. Bonuses also apply to several other airline partners, retail, and travel options.
The simplest way to redeem is by booking United or United Express award tickets and flights. MileagePlus currently offers two types of award seat: Saver Awards and Everyday Awards:
- Saver Awards: More economical, with redemption flights from 5,000 to 12,000 miles. These low-cost award flights have lower availability, making them difficult to book.
- Everyday Awards: More availability – at a higher price. Everyday Award flights offer unrestricted access for elite-tier MileagePlus members.
MileagePlus members and United Explorer Cardholders can also redeem miles for flights with United Airlines partners. These partners include the Star Alliance, featuring major carriers like Air Canada, ANA, Asiana, Avianca, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and more.
Other United partners include major hotel brands, like Choice Hotels, Marriott, Radisson, IHG, and Hyatt, rental car brands Dollar and Hertz, and over 20 leading cruise lines.
Related Article: The Ultimate United MileagePlus Guide
United Club Lounge Access
As mentioned, the United Explorer Card features an annual fee of $95, which United and Chase waive for the first year. However, even without that annual fee waiver, the Explorer more than pays its way thanks to two complimentary United Club one-time passes per year.
United Club offers one of the finest airport lounge experiences available. Lounge access allows Explorer cardmembers to relax in comfort while waiting for their flight with complimentary beverages, snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more. Each year, two free passes have a face value of $100 – a net of $5 right there over the annual fee.
United Perks
The Explorer Card also comes with a selection of United Airlines-specific perks, such as 25% back on United inflight purchases. Passengers also enjoy priority boarding on United-operated flights. They’ll also earn 500 PQP for every $12,000 spent on purchases with their Explorer Card (up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year) that can be applied toward Premier status qualification, up to the Premier 1K level.
Loyalty program aside, the United℠ Explorer Card also treats cardmembers to a $100 statement credit when they use the card enroll in Global Entry, TSA Precheck®, or NEXUS. And if traveling with luggage, being a cardmember will save you and a companion the cost of the first checked bag for up to $100 each roundtrip.
Other Travel Benefits and Protections
Other travel benefits available thanks to the impressive Visa Signature perks and protections include:
| Zero Fraud Liability | Cardholder Inquiry Services | Emergency Card Replacement | Luxury Hotel Collection | Extended Warranty Coverage |
| Roadside Dispatch | Lost/Stolen Card Reporting | ID Navigator from Norton | Travel & Emergency Assistance |
Chase Bank Ratings
How does the Chase United Airlines Visa stack up? Here is a selection of expert reviews for the card, as well as an overview of JP Morgan Chase as a bank:
| BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
|
4.5/5 |
3.5/5 |
2/5 |
Should You Apply for the United℠ Explorer Card?
While the UnitedSM Explorer Card from Chase’s annual fee of $95 may seem high for some, the benefits you receive once you reach rewards-earning altitude will more than make up for it. Frequent travelers who are willing to invest their money in a nominal annual expenditure that yields rich rewards earned from travel and dining each year certainly won’t want to miss their flight.
The additional Chase United Explorer benefits of statement credits for TSA Precheck and Global entry sweeten the deal, making this an exceptional credit card for those that travels often – and prefers to fly United.
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