United Explorer Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The United Explorer Card is a solid choice for several reasons. The 50,000 point bonus can provide strong value if you want to quickly build your MileagePlus balance without having to pay the $150 annual fee the first year. The card includes enough airline perks to justify keeping it long term for occasional United flyers. As one of United’s two mid-tier personal cards, it’s also a good fit for travelers who want occasional United Club access without paying the much higher annual fee on the Club card.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
You can earn 50,000 United points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. The $150 annual fee is waived for the first year, giving it an advantage over the Quest Card (the other mid-range United card). Even if you keep the card beyond the first year, two perks alone can cover the annual fee:
- A free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and one companion (a $180 value for two people flying round trip - $45/person each way)
- Two United Club one-time passes per year (over $100 value)
Additional benefits and credits make it tempting to keep the card beyond the first year when the annual fee kicks in:
- $120 statement credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS every four years
- $5 per month credit on rideshare purchases
- $10 per month credit on Instacart and 3 months of Instacart+ for free
- $50 in United TravelBank credits per year after qualifying Avis or Budget rentals
- $100 credit on flight purchases through JSX
- $100 credit on prepaid hotel stays booked through United Hotels (issued as two separate $50 credits)
- Priority boarding, plus 25% back on in-flight and club premium drink purchases, and in-flight Wi-Fi
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Here are some exceptions where the card might not be good for you:
- Your home airport is not a United hub or doesn't have a United Club
- You fly United more than a couple times per year and would get more value out of the United Club Infinite card
What to Know About United MileagePlus
United is a solid option for international flights, especially for business class.
- United has ample cards for collecting large sums of points.
- International business class seats can be found for as low as 60,000 points to South America and 80,000 to Europe.
- They’re a partner in our favorite rewards system, making top offs from Chase Ultimate Rewards both easy and a good value.
- United is also a decent option for domestic flights and standard international fares, but we generally use Southwest, American or Delta for those.
- We save our United points for those long international flights where business class is a difference maker.
How The United Explorer Credit Card Fits In The United MileagePlus Ecosystem
United offers a large lineup of cards depending on how often you fly the airline and which perks matter most to you.
- United Quest: Similar to the Explorer, but with a higher $350 annual fee. It includes a $200 United TravelBank credit that helps offset the fee, along with a 60,000 mile bonus. The decision between the Explorer and Quest often comes down to whether you value lounge access (Explorer) or two free checked bags per traveler (Quest).
- United Club: Best for frequent United travelers who will regularly use the included United Club membership, which is valued around $750 annually. The card carries a high $695 annual fee but also offers the largest 80,000 mile bonus.
- United Gateway: No annual fee, but a smaller 30,000 mile bonus and fewer ongoing perks. In most cases, one of the annual fee United cards will provide better long-term value.
If you are near your 5/24 limit, one of United’s business cards may make more sense:
- United Business Card: Features a 75,000 point bonus, a $150 annual fee, two United Club passes annually, and a free first checked bag.
- United Club Business Card: Includes full United Club membership, several statement credits, and a higher 80,000 point bonus, though it comes with a much steeper $695 annual fee.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Rules
Card Extras
No extras to display for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
United Explorer Application Rules
If you've received a bonus from this card within the last 24 month, you are not eligible for another bonus.
Chase applications will be declined if 5 new cards have been added to your personal credit report in the past 24 months.
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
