Best in Class
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United Explorer Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The United Explorer credit card is a solid choice for several reasons. If you want to earn United points quickly via a sign-up bonus, the 60,000 points can be quite valuable. We especially value United points for international and business class flights, and it’s easy to extend their worth by topping them off with Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you fly United once or twice a year and want to keep a co-branded card in your wallet, this card can serve you well long-term. As one of two mid-range United cards, it’s also a good option for travelers who want lounge access at airports that have a United Club.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
You can earn 60,000 (current special 70,000) 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 $160 value per round-trip)
- Two United Club one-time passes per year (over $100 value)
Additional benefits and credits make it tempting to keep the card:
- $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
- Two $25 credits per year on Avis or Budget
- $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 has 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 (see “Where the United Explorer Fits in This Point Ecosystem” section below)
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
There are various United cards to consider. The United Quest Card is comparable to the Explorer: it has a higher $350 annual fee, but offers a $200 United travel credit that effectively reduces its cost to $150. You’ll need to compare the remaining benefits to see which card is best for you. It often comes down to whether you value lounge access (Explorer Card) or two checked bags per person (Quest).
The United Club Card is aimed at those who travel United multiple times per year and will frequently use the United Club membership (a $750 value). However, it has a $695 annual fee. The United Gateway Card has no annual fee but offers a smaller welcome bonus and fewer benefits, so a card with an annual fee often provides better long-term value.
If you’re close to your 5/24 limit, the United Business Card might be an option. It has a 75,000-point welcome bonus and a $150 annual fee, along with perks such as two United Club passes per year and a free first checked bag. The United Club Business Card is a bigger step up, with a $695 annual fee but includes full United Club membership (worth $750) and several other statement credits.
Card Information
Bonus Points
70,000
Minimum Spend
$3,000 / 3mo
Point Value
1.3 ¢
Annual Value
Annual Fee
$0
1st Year Value
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Differentiating Perks
Yearly United Club Passes (2)
Free Checked Bags + 1 Guest
7X on United Flight Purchases
2X on Hotels
2X on Restaurants
Rules
Card Extras
Extra
Worth/Fit
Est. Value
Total Annual Value
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No extras to display for this card.
Card Benefits
No benefits are available for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Average Frequency
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Average Offer Length
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Estimated Next Offer
Start Date
Offer Length
Bonus
Minimum Spend
Spend Categories
6.5¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
1.3¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
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
Point Transfer Options
+7 Lower Value Transfers Show
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
Rank
6th
Honorable Mention
Ranking of Cards Offering United MileagePlus
Downgrade Options
United Gateway
United MileagePlus