Chase Freedom Unlimited vs United Explorer: Which Is Better In 2025?

United Explorer Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2406", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Priority Boarding"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at why the United℠ Explorer Card stands out to us.

‍

• Cardholders get their first checked bag free for themselves and a companion on United flights, a perk that adds significant value for frequent flyers.
• Each year, you receive two one-time passes to the United Club℠, offering a comfortable space to relax before your flight.
• The free checked bag benefit can offset the annual fee with just one round-trip flight for you and a companion (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Offers robust travel protections, including primary auto rental coverage, trip delay reimbursement, and lost luggage reimbursement.
• Enjoy priority boarding on United flights and receive a statement credit to cover the application fee for programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
• Earn miles on travel and dining, plus the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) toward United elite status through spending.

‍

Cons

‍

• Most benefits are tied to flying with United, making it less valuable for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline.
• An annual fee applies after the first year.
• The rewards earning rate on general purchases is less competitive compared to other travel cards.

United Explorer vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the Chase Freedom Unlimited or United Explorer, comes down to your spending habits and reward goals. One card excels at rewarding everyday purchases, while the other is tailored for frequent travelers on a specific airline.

‍

• Chase Freedom Unlimited® is best for earning rewards on everyday spending, with bonus rewards on categories like dining and drugstore purchases.
• United℠ Explorer Card is ideal for those who frequently fly with United Airlines, offering the highest rewards on airline purchases, hotel stays, and dining.

‍

Redemption

‍

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: With this card, you earn flexible points that can be redeemed for straightforward cash back or used for travel purchases through the Chase portal. For maximum value, you can pool these points with an annual-fee Chase card to transfer to airline and hotel partners.

‍

United℠ Explorer Card: Points earned with this card are deposited as United MileagePlus miles, designed for use within the airline's ecosystem. Redemptions are centered on booking award flights with United and its partners, but can also be used for upgrades and other travel experiences.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®:This card is not primarily a travel card. It typically includes a foreign transaction fee and lacks premium travel perks such as airport lounge access, priority boarding, or free checked bags. Its main travel-related feature is access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal for booking flights, hotels, and other travel.
• United℠ Explorer Card:Tailored for the United flyer, this card comes with a suite of travel benefits. It features no foreign transaction fees, a statement credit for a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee, two one-time passes to the United Club℠ each year, priority boarding, and a free first checked bag for the cardmember and one companion on the same reservation when you use your card to purchase your tickets.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

Kudos is a financial companion tool that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your wallet.

‍

• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards by shopping with Kudos Boost.
• Monitor your transactions, spending habits, and credit score all in one place.
• Get personalized card recommendations based on your unique spending history.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

‍

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great fit for everyday spenders who value simplicity and consistent rewards without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. It's also an excellent entry point for those new to credit card rewards or for existing Chase customers looking to build a powerful rewards strategy by pairing it with a premium card. With no annual fee and valuable perks like purchase protection and trip cancellation insurance, it offers a strong foundation for any wallet, as detailed in this comprehensive guide.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

‍

The United℠ Explorer Card is an ideal choice for frequent United flyers who can take full advantage of airline-specific perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. It also delivers significant value to international travelers by waiving foreign transaction fees and to those seeking airport conveniences like expedited security credits. As this card's benefits show, even budget-conscious travelers can find that the perks easily offset the annual fee, making it a worthwhile option for a broad range of flyers.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

So the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. United Explorer comparison didn't yield a clear winner for you? Not a problem—plenty of other great rewards cards are out there that might be a better fit.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2883", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["No Annual Fee", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score. Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Have a spending plan. Be prepared to meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer through your regular purchases.
• Know the rewards ecosystem. Research how you can use the points or miles to make sure the card aligns with your goals.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Look for card synergies to maximize rewards by pairing complementary cards.
• Align the card with your lifestyle, such as choosing an airline card if you're a loyal flyer.
• Understand a card’s limitations, like foreign transaction fees or brand-specific perks.

Our Methodology

‍

We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

‍

Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

‍

Can I transfer points from the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to United Airlines?

‍

Yes, but indirectly. To transfer points to United MileagePlus, you must also hold a premium Chase card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which allows you to combine points and move them to travel partners.

‍

Which card is better for everyday spending?

‍

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is typically better for general, everyday spending because it earns a high flat rate on all purchases. The United℠ Explorer Card's rewards are more concentrated on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays.

‍

Which card offers better travel-specific perks?

‍

The United℠ Explorer Card is the clear winner for travel perks, offering benefits like a free first checked bag, priority boarding on United flights, and two one-time United Club passes each year. The Freedom Unlimited does not offer comparable airline-specific benefits.

‍