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The New United℠ Explorer Card offers a great lineup of benefits. It's a valuable card for most United travelers — even those who only fly the airline a couple of times per year. And even with a recently increased annual fee, the card should save you more money annually than it costs to keep it in your wallet.
Here's a balanced look at the United Explorer Card to help you decide if it's right for you.
- Limited-Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Earn a $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases with your United℠ Explorer Card within a calendar year
- Over $400 in partner credits each year
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Page Contents
- United Explorer Card Pros
- United Explorer Card Cons
- United Explorer Card Welcome Bonus
- United Explorer Card Benefits
- Waived annual fee for the first year
- Check your first bag for free
- Expanded MileagePlus award availability
- Priority boarding
- Up to $120 credit for application to security programs
- 25% back on United in-flight purchases
- United Club visitor passes
- United elites are eligible for upgrades on award tickets
- Earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward elite status
- Earn more benefits with minimum spend
- Travel partner perks
- Instacart+ membership and discounts
- Travel and insurance protections
- United Explorer Card Earning Rates
- Redeeming Miles With the United Explorer Card
- Application Restrictions
- Alternatives to the United Explorer Card
- Bottom Line
United Explorer Card Pros
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee waiver of up to $120
- Free first checked bag
- Access to additional United saver award space
- Receive two one-time United Club passes per year
United Explorer Card Cons
- Issued by Chase, so it's subject to Chase's 5/24 policy
- United doesn't have an award chart with fixed prices, so it's hard to know what you can do with your miles
- Limited earning rates compared to other cards with similar annual fees
- Long-term annual fee of $150
United Explorer Card Welcome Bonus
The United Explorer Card currently features a limited-time welcome bonus. As a new applicant for the card, you can score 60,000 bonus miles bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
This is among the best offers we've ever seen on the United Explorer Card. And it's worth over $1,100 towards award travel — based on recent AwardWallet user redemptions.
Related: The Best Credit Card Offers This Month
United Explorer Card Benefits
Generally speaking, airline cards with moderate annual fees typically don't offer many benefits. But the United Explorer Card bucks the trend; you'll find a significant list of benefits on this card.
Waived annual fee for the first year
Cardholders will enjoy a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 starting on the first day of the month after your cardholder anniversary. This gives you a year to check out the card's benefits without paying an annual fee, see if they're right for you, and then decide what to do when it's due in the second year.
Check your first bag for free
If you typically pay for checked bags, the United Explorer Card can pay for itself with a single round-trip flight for two passengers. United charges up to $40 per bag each way for your first checked bag, so you're looking at up to $160 in potential savings on bags alone just from that one round-trip. Better yet, this benefit even applies if you book a United basic economy ticket.
The most important thing to know about this benefit is that you must use your card to pay for the flight to get your free bags. The benefit also works for flights booked with miles, so long as you use your United Explorer Card to cover the taxes and fees.
The requirement to pay with your card is unique to the United co-branded credit cards. Most other airline cards provide a free checked bag benefit even if you use a different card to pay. This restriction also means that you won't be able to use the free checked-bag benefit on flights you've already booked before applying for the card.
Expanded MileagePlus award availability
If you have the United Explorer Card, you’ll get access to more flights bookable with miles than the general public. Access to this extra award space can mean the difference between scoring a great deal with miles or paying cash for a flight. This perk alone can potentially save you tens of thousands of United miles each year.
To learn more, check out our dedicated post on unlocking United's hidden award space for card members.
Priority boarding
With priority boarding, you and your travel companions booked on the same reservation will board before the non-elite crowd. That gives you early access to overhead bins and a chance to settle in, rather than standing in line. This even applies if you book a basic economy ticket.
Up to $120 credit for application to security programs
It's hard to overstate the convenience of expedited airport security and U.S. immigration screening. With this benefit, you'll get a credit of up to $120 every four years to reimburse the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS when you charge it to your card.
Related: Expedited Security Screening Programs: How To Get Them for Free
25% back on United in-flight purchases
When you pay with your United Explorer Card, you can get 25% back as a statement credit for purchases of food and drinks on United-operated flights. This benefit also covers in-flight Wi-Fi so you can stay productive en route to your destination, and it even applies to premium drinks at the United Club.
United Club visitor passes
You'll receive two one-time passes each year to access the United Club — United's airport lounges. Most United Club locations charge $59 per person for a walk-in entry, making this one perk potentially worth over $100.
United elites are eligible for upgrades on award tickets
Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United flights are typically limited to tickets purchased with money. Elite flyers can get a free first-class upgrade on paid tickets if the cabin doesn't fill up. With the United Explorer Card, you’ll be eligible for these upgrades on tickets booked with miles as well! This benefit also extends to one companion on the same reservation.
Earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward elite status
PQPs are the currency needed for qualifying for United MileagePlus elite status each year. With the United Explorer Card, you can earn 1 PQP for each $20 of qualifying spending — up to a maximum of 1,000 PQPs in a calendar year.
Related: Guide To Earning United Premier Qualifying Points Through Credit Card Spending
Earn more benefits with minimum spend
Cardholders who spend $10,000 on their card in a calendar year will earn a $100 United TravelBank credit. Additionally, those who spend $20,000 in a single calendar year will earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount.
Travel partner perks
Cardholders can earn travel or statement credits for making purchases through some of United's travel partners. They include:
- United Hotels credits: Up to $100 statement credit annually when you use your card to book hotel stays through United Hotels. This is broken up into two $50 statement credits.
- Avis/Budget credits: Up to $50 in United TravelBank credit (two $25 credits) when you pay for an eligible car rental through Avis or Budget with your card.
- JSX credits: Up to $100 in statement credits each year when you book a flight directly with JSX, a hop-on semi-private jet service.
- Rideshare credits: Up to $60 per year when you pay for rideshare services with your card ($5 per month).
Instacart+ membership and discounts
Receive a three-month Instacart+ membership with a 25% annual membership discount thereafter. Plus, cardholders will receive up to $120 in Instacart credits annually.
Travel and insurance protections
The United Explorer Card also provides several protections on purchases made with the card. These include:
- Primary auto rental coverage — Offers reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles (with an MSRP of $125,000 or less).
- Baggage delay insurance — Reimburses you up to $100 a day for up to three days for essential purchases when your baggage is delayed for over six hours.
- Lost luggage reimbursement — Provides reimbursement of up to $3,000 per covered traveler for the cost to repair/replace luggage lost, damaged, or stolen during a covered trip.
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance — Get reimbursed for up to $1,500 per covered traveler and $6,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares if your trip is canceled or interrupted by a covered situation.
- Trip delay reimbursement — If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you are covered for unreimbursed expenses of up to $500 per covered traveler.
- Purchase protection — Covers eligible new purchases for 120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $10,000 per item.
- Extended warranty protection — Extends the time period of the manufacturer's U.S. warranty by an additional year.
- Visa Concierge — Get complimentary Visa Signature Concierge Service 24 hours a day.
- No foreign transaction fees — Swipe this card abroad without paying foreign transaction fees.
For policy particulars, please refer to your card's Guide to Benefits.
United Explorer Card Earning Rates
Outside the welcome bonus, you'll primarily earn miles from your daily spending and United purchases. Here are the United Explorer Card‘s earning rates:
- 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
These aren't impressive earning rates by any stretch. You may fare better by analyzing your spending habits and choosing a credit card optimized for bonus earnings in those categories.
Redeeming Miles With the United Explorer Card
The process is quick and straightforward when it comes time to redeem your miles for travel rewards. United is a member of Star Alliance, so you can use your United miles for award flights on all alliance member airlines — including Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand, ANA, Air Canada, and SWISS.
While United awards don't always have the lowest mileage rates, MileagePlus is one of our favorite programs because it's relatively easy to book a ticket — and there's a solid number of valuable MileagePlus sweet spots. Plus, the taxes and fees you'll pay out of pocket are often much lower than the competition.
And if you don't want to redeem for award flights, you can also put your miles towards upgrades, covering the cost of seats or bags, a United Club membership, and more. You can also put them towards unique experiences. Generally, these redemptions won't provide the best value for your miles, but they're still worth keeping in mind.
Related: The Basics of Booking an Award Flight with United
Application Restrictions
Let's start with restrictions that are clearly stated and then move to unwritten rules because there are a few that you should know about on the United Explorer Card. First, the card's application terms state:
“This product is not available to either (i) current Cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous Cardmembers of this credit card who received a new Cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months.”
Thus, if you currently have this card or earned a bonus on it in the past 24 months, you won't be eligible.
Moreover, the United Explorer Card is issued by Chase, so it's subject to Chase’s 5/24 policy. If you have opened five or more credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months, you likely won't be approved for a Chase credit card.
Luckily, there are no restrictions on the number of United cards one can hold at one time. And earning a bonus on another United credit card won't affect your eligibility for this card. However, depending on your credit card strategy, it might not make sense to hold multiple United cards.
Related: Understanding Rewards Credit Card Application Rules and Restrictions
Alternatives to the United Explorer Card
For a lot of United travelers, the United Explorer Card makes a lot of sense. But if it's not for you, consider these options instead:
- If you're a regular United flier and want a card that earns more miles and PQPs, consider The New United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees). The $350 annual fee United Quest Card offers higher earning rates. Plus, you can enjoy free first and second checked bags, up to 18,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (1 PQP for every $20 you spend on purchases), a variety of travel statement credits, and more. Our United Quest Card review has all the details.
- If you want a non-co-branded card that earns transferable points (that transfer to United), consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees). The Sapphire Preferred carries a $95 annual fee and is one of our favorite travel cards. You can earn up to 5X Ultimate Rewards points on purchases and transfer your points to 14 travel partners — including United at a 1:1 ratio. Learn more in our full Sapphire Preferred review.
- If you're over 5/24 and want a card that offers point transfers to United, consider The Bilt Mastercard®. This $0 annual fee (Rates & Fees) card earns 3X Points on dining, 2X Points on travel, 1X Points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year), and 1X Points on other purchases — provided you use your card 5 times each statement period. Bilt has several transfer partners, including United. And this card is issued by Wells Fargo, so it's not subject to Chase's onerous 5/24 rule. Learn more about the Bilt Mastercard in our full review.
- 5 miles per $1 spent at Renowned Hotels and Resorts
- 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants
- 2 miles per $1 spent on select streaming services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- 3x points on dining
- 2x points on travel
- 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
- 1x points on other purchases
Related: Which United Credit Card Is Right for You?
Bottom Line
The United Explorer Card is a fantastic travel rewards card for anyone who flies with United at least a few times a year. This card should quickly pay for itself with free checked bags, a 25% inflight discount, priority boarding, and access to extra flights with your miles. It's one of our favorites in United's credit card lineup.
However, there is something to be said about its new long-term $150 annual fee. For some travelers, this might be too steep a fee to pay every year — and if you can't take full advantage of the card's new statement credits, then it'll be difficult to justify. Just be sure to do the math and thoroughly review the new benefits before you apply to ensure it'll work for you.
- Limited-Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Earn a $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases with your United℠ Explorer Card within a calendar year
- Over $400 in partner credits each year
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The New United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), The New United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees)
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