United Explorer vs JetBlue Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

JetBlue Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the JetBlue Plus is a strong contender for your wallet.

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• You'll earn an impressive 6X points on JetBlue purchases and 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores.
• Cardholders and up to three companions get their first checked bag free on all JetBlue-operated flights.
• Checking a bag on just two round-trip flights can save you more than the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Your first checked bag is free on JetBlue-operated flights, a perk that extends to your travel companions on the same booking.
• Receive an annual bonus of TrueBlue points and get a percentage of your points back when you redeem them for flights.
• Card spending provides a pathway to earning JetBlue's Mosaic elite status, and there are no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

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Cons

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• Key travel perks like airport lounge access, priority boarding, and credits for expedited security screening are not included.
• The annual statement credit is only applicable to JetBlue Vacations packages, which may not be useful for all cardholders.
• The card does not grant automatic elite status; it must be earned through significant spending or flying.

JetBlue Plus vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Deciding which is better United Explorer or JetBlue Plus depends entirely on your travel habits and airline loyalty.

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is ideal for frequent United flyers, offering the most value on United Airlines purchases, dining, and hotel stays booked directly with hotels.
• JetBlue Plus Card: Best suited for those who regularly fly with JetBlue, this card maximizes rewards on JetBlue purchases, as well as spending at restaurants and eligible grocery stores.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Points are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights with United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partners. You can also use points for seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related experiences.

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JetBlue Plus Card: Rewards are redeemed through JetBlue’s TrueBlue program, where points can be used to book any available seat on JetBlue-operated flights without blackout dates. Points can also be applied toward the cost of a JetBlue Vacations package.

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Travel Perks

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card offers several travel perks, including two United Club℠ one-time passes annually, a free first checked bag for the cardmember and one companion on the same reservation, and priority boarding. Cardholders can also receive a statement credit for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS. The card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
• JetBlue Plus Card: Perks for this card include a free first checked bag for the cardmember and up to three companions on the same reservation. Cardholders can earn Mosaic status after meeting annual spending requirements and receive a statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package. This card also has no foreign transaction fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Get personalized card recommendations based on your actual spend history.
• Access comprehensive approval odds based on your credit report.
• Earn extra rewards, called Kudos Boost, on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at your favorite stores.
• Monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score in one platform.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who travel at least a few times per year. These travelers will get the most value from its airline-specific perks, such as a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and two annual United Club℠ passes. Additionally, it's a strong choice for those who want to offset the cost of Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® and avoid foreign transaction fees on international trips, making it a well-rounded travel card.

Who Should Choose the JetBlue Plus?

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The JetBlue Plus Card is an excellent fit for casual or moderately frequent JetBlue flyers who want valuable perks for a reasonable annual fee. It's especially useful for families and groups, as the free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and up to three companions can easily offset the $99 annual fee on a single trip. While it provides strong core benefits, travelers seeking premium perks like lounge access may find the JetBlue Premier Card to be a better option.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs. JetBlue Plus comparison has you thinking neither card is the perfect co-pilot for your travels, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet and your travel style.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most airline cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Know the issuer's rules – Issuers may have restrictions on new card approvals or welcome bonuses.
• Have a plan for your points – Research how you'll use the rewards and benefits to maximize their value.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically – Align it with large purchases or travel plans to meet spending minimums and use benefits right away.
• Review issuer-specific bonus rules – Some issuers may restrict welcome offers if you have or recently had a similar card from them.
• Select a card based on your loyalty – A card's value is highest when its perks, like free checked bags or lounge access, match an airline you fly frequently.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Do the free checked bag benefits apply to companions?

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Yes, both cards typically extend the first free checked bag benefit to at least one companion traveling on the same reservation as the primary cardholder.

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What happens to my miles if I close my credit card account?

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Your miles are held in your airline loyalty account, separate from your credit card, so they won't disappear if you close the card. However, you must keep your loyalty account active according to the airline's policy to avoid expiration.

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Which card helps more with earning elite status?

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The United Explorer Card can help you earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward elite status through card spending. While the JetBlue Plus Card also offers a path to Mosaic status via spending, United's program and vast partner network often provide more opportunities for frequent flyers to qualify.

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