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United℠ Explorer Card Review: Is It Worth the Annual Fee?
February 6, 2025
What Is the United℠ Explorer Card?
The United℠ Explorer Card is a travel rewards credit card issued by Chase in partnership with United Airlines. Designed for United flyers, this card offers substantial airline-specific perks while maintaining a reasonable annual fee. The card earns MileagePlus miles on purchases, with bonus earning rates on United flights, dining, and hotels. Beyond the rewards structure, what truly distinguishes this card are the United-specific benefits, including free checked bags, priority boarding, and United Club℠ passes.
After an introductory $0 annual fee for the first year, cardholders pay $95 annually. New cardmembers can earn an attractive sign-up bonus after meeting qualifying purchase requirements within the first few months of account opening. The card's standout features include its comprehensive travel protections, lack of foreign transaction fees, and valuable airport security benefits like credits for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®.
United℠ Explorer Card Pros & Cons
Pros:
- First checked bag free for the primary cardmember and one companion on United flights when you use the card to purchase tickets
- Priority boarding privileges on United flights
- Two one-time United Club℠ passes each year on your cardmember anniversary
- Up to $100 statement credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® application fees
- 25% back on inflight purchases when flying United
- No foreign transaction fees on international purchases
- Comprehensive travel insurance including trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and primary car rental coverage
- Purchase protection covering new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft
Cons:
- $95 annual fee after the first year
- Limited value for travelers who don't frequently fly United
- United Club℠ passes are limited to two per year (compared to unlimited access with premium travel cards)
- Lower earning rates on general purchases compared to some competing travel cards
- Requires good to excellent creditworthiness for approval
- Redemption values may vary significantly depending on how miles are used
Who Is the United℠ Explorer Card For?
Frequent United Flyers
The United℠ Explorer Card delivers maximum value to travelers who fly United at least a few times per year. The free checked bag benefit alone can offset the annual fee with just one round-trip flight with a companion. If you regularly choose United for your travel needs, the priority boarding, inflight purchase discount, and United Club℠ passes enhance your overall travel experience.
Travelers Seeking Airport Security Benefits
If you value expedited security screening, this card provides substantial benefits. The up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® application fees can save you significant time at the airport. This perk, available once every four years, helps offset the card's annual fee and improves your travel experience.
International Travelers
With no foreign transaction fees, the United℠ Explorer Card is well-suited for international travel. Additionally, United's extensive network of Star Alliance partners offers global reach for both earning and redeeming miles. The card's robust travel protections, including primary car rental coverage and lost luggage reimbursement, provide valuable peace of mind when traveling abroad.
Budget-Conscious Travelers
Despite its annual fee, this card can deliver significant value for budget-conscious travelers. The intro annual fee of $0 for the first year allows new cardmembers to test the card's benefits without immediate cost. The sign-up bonus offers substantial value, and the free checked bag benefit can quickly offset the annual fee in subsequent years.
Comparing the United℠ Explorer Card With Other Credit Cards
When considering the United℠ Explorer Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the mid-tier travel card category:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 2X points on travel and dining, 1X on other purchases
- Standout feature: 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase TravelSM
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card [rates & fees]:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Large miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 2X miles on all purchases, 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: Miles transferable to travel partners
American Express® Gold Card [rates & fees]:
- Annual fee: $325
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 4X points at restaurants (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X) and 3X on booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
- Standout feature: Up to $120 dining credit and up to $120 Uber Cash annually. An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- United℠ Explorer Card excels in offering substantial airline-specific perks while maintaining a reasonable annual fee
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers versatile travel rewards
- Capital One Venture provides simple, flat-rate miles earning
- American Express® Gold Card features strong dining and groceries rewards
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Consider Using Kudos
While the United℠ Explorer Card offers excellent benefits for United flyers, maximizing your overall credit card rewards strategy often requires using multiple cards strategically. This is where Kudos can help transform your approach to credit card rewards.
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For United℠ Explorer Card holders, Kudos can help identify when using your United card makes sense (such as for United flights or when travel protections are valuable) and when another card in your wallet might offer better rewards. During exclusive "Flash Boost" events, Kudos can help you multiply your rewards up to 5X, providing even greater value.
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Our Expert Takeaway
The United℠ Explorer Card delivers exceptional value for United Airlines loyalists while maintaining a reasonable annual fee structure. The card's strength lies in its United-specific benefits, particularly the free checked bag, priority boarding, and anniversary United Club℠ passes. These perks can quickly offset the $95 annual fee for regular United flyers.
The card's travel protections represent another significant advantage, with primary car rental coverage being particularly valuable compared to the secondary coverage offered by many competing cards. The statement credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® further enhances the card's value proposition.
Where the card falls short is for travelers who aren't loyal to United or who don't check bags. In these cases, a more general travel rewards card might offer better value. Additionally, those seeking premium travel experiences might find the Explorer Card's benefits somewhat limited compared to higher-tier options.
Overall, for travelers who fly United even a few times per year and value practical benefits over luxury perks, the United℠ Explorer Card earns our recommendation. The combination of everyday earning potential, substantial sign-up bonus, and tangible travel benefits creates a compelling package that can enhance your travel experience while providing solid rewards value.
United℠ Explorer Card FAQ
What is the current sign-up bonus for the United℠ Explorer Card?
Sign-up bonuses change periodically, but typically involve earning bonus miles after meeting minimum spending requirements within the first few months of account opening. Check the current offer on Chase's website or through United's card portal at unitedcardevents.com.
How do I earn MileagePlus miles with the United℠ Explorer Card?
You earn 2X miles on United purchases, hotel stays booked directly with hotels, and dining (including eligible delivery services), and 1X miles on all other purchases. You can also earn bonus miles through special offers and promotions.
Do miles earned with the United℠ Explorer Card expire?
Miles earned with the card are credited to your United MileagePlus account and follow the MileagePlus program rules. As of this writing, MileagePlus miles don't expire, but program policies are subject to change.
Can I add authorized users to my United℠ Explorer Card?
Yes, you can add authorized users to your account at no additional cost. Authorized users can help you earn miles on their purchases, but certain card benefits (like the free checked bag) only apply when the primary cardmember is traveling.
Does the United℠ Explorer Card help toward elite status?
Yes, the card offers the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) through spending. For every $12,000 in purchases, you can earn 500 PQP (up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year), which can help you progress toward United MileagePlus Premier status.
Can I use the free checked bag benefit if I don't purchase my ticket with the card?
No, to receive the first checked bag free benefit, you must purchase your United ticket with your United℠ Explorer Card and include your MileagePlus number in the reservation.
What is primary car rental coverage?
Primary car rental coverage means you don't have to file a claim with your personal auto insurance first when your rental car is damaged or stolen. This can help you avoid potential increases in your personal insurance premiums. To activate this coverage, decline the rental company's collision damage waiver and charge the entire rental to your United℠ Explorer Card.
How do I access the Chase Security Center or Credit Journey?
You can access these services through your online Chase account or the Chase mobile app. The Chase Security Center offers tools to protect your account, while Credit Journey provides free credit score monitoring and identity protection features.
Can I use the United℠ Explorer Card with a digital wallet?
Yes, the United℠ Explorer Card is compatible with major digital wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, allowing for contactless payments at participating merchants.
Does the United℠ Explorer Card offer Chase Pay Over Time?
Yes, eligible cardmembers may access Chase Pay Over Time features like My Chase Plan, which allows you to split eligible purchases into fixed monthly payments with a fixed fee instead of interest charges.
How do I redeem my MileagePlus miles?
Miles can be redeemed for award flights on United and Star Alliance partners, seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, merchandise, and experiences through the United MileagePlus program. Redemption options and values vary depending on how you choose to use your miles.
Can I transfer my United℠ Explorer Card miles to other loyalty programs?
No, MileagePlus miles cannot be transferred to other airline or hotel loyalty programs. However, they can be used for flights on Star Alliance partners and other MileagePlus partners according to the MileagePlus program rules.
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