United Explorer Card is offering 60,000 after spending $3000 in 3 months with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.. That's up 10,000 points over their standard offer of 50,000 after spending $3000 in 3 months. Offer expires 1/29/25.
United Explorer
Apply now Award System
Bank
Reconsideration Phone
800.935.9935
Breaking Points
November 15, 2024
United Explorer Card
June 18, 2024
Time to stock up on United Points
- United Explorer Chase Card - 60,000 miles after spending $3000 in 3 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $95/year.
- United Quest Chase Card - 70,000 miles + 500 PQP after spending $4000 in 3 months - $250/annual fee.
- United Club Infinite Card - Up to 100,000 miles after spending $5000 in 3 months, using your promotional code & adding an authorized user - $525/annual fee.
November 14, 2023
Mini Points - December 2023
Limited Time Offers Going on NOW:
- United Explorer Chase Card - 60,000 Miles after spending $3000 in 3 Months - $95 Annual fee (waived the first year).
- United Quest Chase Card - 70,000 Miles after spending $4000 in 3 Months - $250 Annual fee (card comes with 5000 PQP).
- United Club Infinite Chase Card - 90,000 Miles after spending $5000 in 3 Months - $525 Annual fee (card comes with lot's of extras to off-set the annual fee).
November 10, 2022
United Sign Up Bonus on 3 different Cards
Chase United Cards have 3 Limited Time offers:
1. United Explorer - 60,000 Bonus miles after spending $3000 in 3 months, $95 annual fee is waived for the first year.
2. United Quest Card - 80,000 Bonus miles after spending $5000 in 3 months, $250 annual fee.
3. United Club Infinite Card - 100,000 Bonus miles after spending $5000 in 3 months, $525 annual fee.
Remember the higher the annual fee the more the card has to offer, so before you get scared away by that, look into if it makes sense for your upcoming travel plans.
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee | 1st Year Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80,000 | $3,000 | 1.3 ¢ | $45 | $0 | $1124 |
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Int. Biz Class | 2 United Club Passes Annually, Free Bag for you and a companion, Priority boarding | 24 from Bonus , 5/24 , Chase 2/30 , Chase 4/6 |
Most Recent Special Offer:
60,000 Bonus Points
for
$3,000 spend
ended Jan 2025
Card Type:
Personal, Airline
Spend Categories
Airfare - »
7X points
9.1¢ Per Dollar Spent
All Other = »
1X points
1.3¢ Per Dollar Spent
Hotels = »
2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent
Restaurants = »
2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
Lounge Access »
Get 2 free one-time passes annually to the United Club lounge. After which, the fee is $59 per visit.
Get 2 free one-time passes annually to the United Club lounge. After which, the fee is $59 per visit.
TSA Pre Check »
Get up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry, or an $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck.
Get up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry, or an $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck.
Preferred Boarding »
The Primary Cardmember and companions on the same reservation will be invited to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding.
The Primary Cardmember and companions on the same reservation will be invited to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding.
Airline Incidentals »
25% back on food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases onboard United- and United Express-operated flights
25% back on food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases onboard United- and United Express-operated flights
Car Rental Insurance »
Using this card gives you primary car rental insurance, providing reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.
Using this card gives you primary car rental insurance, providing reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.
No Foreign Transaction Fees »
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
Concierge »
Call 1-800-953-7392 to get complimentary assistance making dinner reservations, buying theater tickets, getting travel guides, sending gifts/flowers, and dozens of other specific requests.
Call 1-800-953-7392 to get complimentary assistance making dinner reservations, buying theater tickets, getting travel guides, sending gifts/flowers, and dozens of other specific requests.
Free Checked Bag »
The primary cardholder and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free.
The primary cardholder and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free.
Hotel Perks »
Chase Luxury resort collection: Includes room upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late checkout, and other amenities at more than 900 luxury hotels and resorts worldwide.
Chase Luxury resort collection: Includes room upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast for two, early check-in, late checkout, and other amenities at more than 900 luxury hotels and resorts worldwide.
Purchase Protection »
Your new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $10,000 per claim, and $50,000 per year.
Your new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $10,000 per claim, and $50,000 per year.
Extended Warranty »
Eligible warranties of 3 years or less can be extended up to 1 additional year.
Eligible warranties of 3 years or less can be extended up to 1 additional year.
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes - $$
Transfer To Friends Yes - $$
Travel Partner Transfers
Outside Point System United MileagePlus
Transfers In From
Chase Ultimate Rewards
1:1 81% value retained
Marriott Bonvoy
3:1.1 68% value retained
World of Hyatt
5:2 33% value retained
Bottom Line
The 60k sign-up bonus with the low spend of $3,000 in the first 3 months makes this a valuable card. If you fly United as infrequently as once per year, two other benefits might still make you want to keep the United Explorer card -- even after you pay the $95 annual fee (waived that first year). A free first checked bag for the primary card member and a companion (a value of $160 per roundtrip flight) plus 2 United Club one-time passes per year (over $100 value) more than make up for the annual fee.
Why You Might Want This Card
United Explorer’s 60k sign-up bonus may not jump off the screen at you. But the other benefits of this card, along with a fair $95 annual fee, make this a great card if you fly United once or twice per year. If you decide to keep it after the first year, the free checked bag and 2 United Club passes per year more than make up for that annual fee. Priority boarding, a statement credit for TSA Precheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS every 4 years, a 25% statement credit on purchases on United operated flights, and several spending multipliers make this a great card for the casual United flier who lives near a United hub with a United Club in its airport.
Exceptions To The Rule
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)
About United MileagePlus
United Airlines MileagePlus is the most flexible rewards program for international flights, especially if you're invested in the Chase ecosystem. They tend to be more available and cost fewer points than Delta or American Airlines. (The biggest exception is Southwest to the Caribbean.)
With a little planning, you can get some fantastic redemption rates. Even if you have the Reserve Card 1.5x multiplier, we usually find better value using United's portal directly. For example, we booked first-class flights to Africa searching the "Business Saver" seats through United and got flights for 80,000 points. That would've cost 250,000 points through the Chase Portal.
Plus, being part of the Star Alliance, points have more flexibility in terms of global destinations, including smaller cities in Asia, Africa and other niche locations. So if you're focusing on international flights and/or Chase transfers, United is a great go-to for flexibility and solid value.
Where United Explorer Fits In This Point Ecosystem
The United Explorer has a decent 60k sign-up-bonus, a $95 AF (waived for the first year), plus two United Club passes per year. Those two perks alone make it a great card for those who fly United once or twice per year. There are a variety of other United cards, though, depending on your travel situation. The United Club Infinite card is for those who travel on United several times per year and will take advantage of the United Club membership, but it does have a beefy $550 annual fee. The United Gateway is the one $0 annual fee card, but it also has a low sign-up bonus and lack of benefits, so we still recommend one of the other cards that has the perks that make up for the annual fee. The United Quest card has a $250 annual fee with a 70k sign-up bonus, along with free checked bags, $125 in annual United credits, and up to 10k miles in flight credits (5000 2x per year after you take a United operated award flight).
If you are coming up against your 5/24, the United Business Card offers a 75k sign-up bonus with a $99 annual fee (waived for the first year), along with quite a few benefits to go along with it, like 2 United Club passes per year and a first checked bag for free. The United Club Business card is a step up, with a $450 annual fee (it currently has only a 50k sign-up bonus) that also offers United Club membership and quite a few spending multipliers.
Personal Experience
Application Rules
If you've received a bonus from this card within the last 24 month, you are not eligible for another bonus.
Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on 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
Ranking of Cards Offering United MileagePlus
What to Know Before Canceling
This is our favorite United card to keep if you don't qualify for business cards. United Business Explorer with $99 tax deductible fee is our overall favorite. You don't need this card to keep your United points.
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
Rank
3rd
Rank
3rd
Breaking Points
November 15, 2024
United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card is offering 60,000 after spending $3000 in 3 months with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.. That's up 10,000 points over their standard offer of 50,000 after spending $3000 in 3 months. Offer expires 1/29/25.
June 18, 2024
Time to stock up on United Points
- United Explorer Chase Card - 60,000 miles after spending $3000 in 3 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $95/year.
- United Quest Chase Card - 70,000 miles + 500 PQP after spending $4000 in 3 months - $250/annual fee.
- United Club Infinite Card - Up to 100,000 miles after spending $5000 in 3 months, using your promotional code & adding an authorized user - $525/annual fee.
November 14, 2023
Mini Points - December 2023
Limited Time Offers Going on NOW:
- United Explorer Chase Card - 60,000 Miles after spending $3000 in 3 Months - $95 Annual fee (waived the first year).
- United Quest Chase Card - 70,000 Miles after spending $4000 in 3 Months - $250 Annual fee (card comes with 5000 PQP).
- United Club Infinite Chase Card - 90,000 Miles after spending $5000 in 3 Months - $525 Annual fee (card comes with lot's of extras to off-set the annual fee).
November 10, 2022
United Sign Up Bonus on 3 different Cards
Chase United Cards have 3 Limited Time offers:
1. United Explorer - 60,000 Bonus miles after spending $3000 in 3 months, $95 annual fee is waived for the first year.
2. United Quest Card - 80,000 Bonus miles after spending $5000 in 3 months, $250 annual fee.
3. United Club Infinite Card - 100,000 Bonus miles after spending $5000 in 3 months, $525 annual fee.
Remember the higher the annual fee the more the card has to offer, so before you get scared away by that, look into if it makes sense for your upcoming travel plans.
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