All information about the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by CardCritics™
United Explorer Credit Card Review: Premium Perks for a Reasonable Annual Fee
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Written by
Ariana Arghandewal
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Edited by
Emily Gadd, CCC™
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron, CCC™
The United℠ Explorer Card is a mid-tier airline credit card designed for travelers who want practical benefits for a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150. With perks like free checked bags, priority boarding and over $500 in annual partner credits, the card offers value for any United flyer. For many travelers, it’s the sweet spot between affordability and everyday travel convenience.
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Purchase and Balance Transfer APR
19.99% – 28.49% Variable
Intro Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Rewards
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150
CardCritics™ Opinion
The Chase United Explorer is ideal for occasional and frequent United Airlines flyers alike, offering elite-like perks for a manageable $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150. Cardholders receive a free first checked bag and priority boarding on United flights, two one-time United Club passes each year, and a variety of statement credits — including up to $120 in statement credits every four years toward the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee. It also offers strong travel protections, including primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost luggage/baggage delay reimbursement, and trip delay protection.
Our Critical Analysis:
United℠ Explorer Card
- United travel benefits, including complimentary checked bags on United flights for cardholders and a companion, Premier upgrades on award tickets, priority boarding and two annual United Club lounge one-time passes
- Over $500 in annual partner credits
- Strong travel and purchase protections
- Ability to earn a 10,000-mile award discount after spending $20,000 in a calendar year
PROS
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150
- United miles lock you into the MileagePlus program with few redemption options other than flights
- May not be worthwhile for those who don’t live in a United Airlines hub city
- No intro APR offer
CONS
United Explorer Card Benefits
Welcome Bonus
The United Explorer Card offers 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. You can also earn 10,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user in the first three months.
Free Checked Bag
Cardholders receive the first checked bag free for themselves and a travel companion on the same United Airlines reservation. With United charging up to $40 for the first checked bag, this benefit can save you up to $160 per round-trip flight.
Priority Boarding
The United Explorer Card extends priority boarding to cardholders and companions on the same United reservation. This benefit helps travelers secure earlier access to overhead bin space, which is especially useful on busy travel routes for staunch carry-on travelers.
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS Credit
The card offers up to $120 in reimbursement toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fees every four years. These Trusted Traveler Programs can help you navigate customs and airport security quickly, especially on busy travel days.
United Club Passes
Most cards with similar annual fees don’t include airport lounge access, so having two one-time United Club passes each year is a worthwhile perk. These passes otherwise cost $59 each, making this a terrific value.
Premier Upgrades on Award Tickets
Cardholders with MileagePlus Premier status traveling on award tickets and one companion qualify for complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated flights.
25% In-Flight Statement Credit
Use your card to purchase food, drinks or onboard Wi-Fi on United flights, and you’ll receive 25% back as a statement credit.
Annual Credits Worth Over $500
Cardholders receive more than $500 in annual partner credits, which can justify the card’s annual fee and provide a better travel experience:
- $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on the card in a calendar year
- Up to $100 annually toward prepaid hotel stays booked through United Hotels
- Up to $60 per calendar year on eligible rideshares charged to the card (enrollment required)
- Up to $50 in United travel credits annually when you book Avis or Budget rental cars through cars.United.com and pay with your card
- Up to $120 in Instacart credits per calendar year when you use your card
- Up to $100 in JSX flight credits annually when you use your card
Travel and Purchase Protections
The United Explorer offers impressive travel insurance and purchase protections for a mid-tier travel credit card. When you use your card to pay for purchases, you’ll receive:
- Primary car rental insurance (must decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver and use your card to pay for the rental)
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Trip delay insurance
- Baggage delay insurance
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty
United Explorer Card Drawbacks
Annual Fee After the First Year
The United Explorer Card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150. This fee (after the first year) is a bit high for a mid-tier card, and cardholders will have to evaluate whether the benefits are worth the long-term cost.
Bonus Categories Are Less Competitive
The card earns 2x miles on dining, hotel stays and United purchases and 1x on all other purchases. That’s not very competitive compared to some other rewards credit cards, especially ones that earn flexible points.
Most Travel Perks Are Limited to United
The United Explorer Card offers plenty of perks centered around United Airlines, which is great if you’re a frequent (or infrequent) traveler, but not ideal if you hop around on other airlines. Plus, the card’s free checked bag perk is less generous than those of competing airline credit cards, which extend it to four or eight travel companions.
Who Is the United Explorer Card Best For?
The United Explorer Card is best for travelers who don’t fly United enough to earn elite status but enough to benefit from the card’s airline perks. If you’re based at a United hub, the card can help you save on incidentals and flights when you redeem miles effectively. The free checked bag benefit, priority boarding and award availability can improve your travel experience and justify the annual fee.
It’s also an excellent pick for travelers who want recurring travel credits without the premium price tag. With over $500 in combined annual credits toward United hotels, flights, rideshare expenses and more, it can be a great addition to any United flyer’s wallet.
Is It the Right Card for You?
The United United Explorer might be worth it if the following applies to you:
- You fly United at least a couple of times per year
- You want to earn United miles for specific award redemptions
- You prefer to earn United miles rather than a transferable currency
- You prefer a modest annual fee
Alternatives to the United Explorer Card
While the United Explorer Card has its merits, it’s not the best fit for everyone. Here are some alternative cards to consider if you prefer to either fly United or earn its miles:
- United Club℠ Card: If you want more premium benefits and a higher welcome bonus, the United Club Card might be a good alternative. It offers a bigger welcome bonus: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. It also includes a United Club membership, which offers access to over 40 United lounges and dozens of partner lounges worldwide. In exchange for a $695 annual fee, cardholders earn higher rewards on credit card spending, over $875 in annual partner credits, and the ability to earn up to 28,000 Premier® Qualifying Points (PQP) a year via card spending.
- United Quest℠ Card: This mid-tier United credit card is a solid option if you want a more reasonable annual fee than the United Club but more perks than the United Explorer. The United Quest Card has a $350 annual fee and offers a strong welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Cardholders also receive over $850 in annual partner credits and elevated rewards on common spending categories.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is ideal for those who prefer flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that can be transferred to United Mileage Plus and other Chase transfer partners. While the card’s $95 annual fee is lower than the United Explorer Card’s, one major caveat is that the Sapphire Preferred Card has no airline perks.
Card Details From Chase
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- Free first checked bag – a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Priority boarding on United® flights
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year – over a $100 value
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Member FDIC
How Does the United Explorer Card Stack Up Against Competitors?
If you’re on the fence about whether the United Explorer Card is a good fit, here’s how it compares to competitors:
| United Explorer Card | United Quest Card | United Club Card | |
| Welcome Bonus | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
| Annual Fee | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 | $350 | $695 |
| APR | 19.99% - 28.49% Variable | 19.99% - 28.49% Variable | 19.99% - 28.49% Variable |
| Rewards Rate | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases | 3x miles on United® purchases. 2x miles on dining, select streaming services & all other travel. 1x mile on all other purchases. Plus, receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary, as well as earn up to 18,000 Premier qualifying points. | 4x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on dining and all other travel and 1x mile on all other purchases. |
| Annual Credits | Up to $100 on prepaid hotel bookings through Renowned Hotels and Resorts Up to $60 rideshare credit (enrollment required) Up to $50 United TravelBank cash for Avis/Budget rentals Up to $100 JSX credit | $200 United TravelBank cash each year Up to $150 on prepaid hotel bookings through Renowned Hotels and Resorts Up to $100 rideshare credit (enrollment required) Up to $80 United TravelBank cash for Avis/Budget rentals Up to $150 JSX credit | Up to $200 on prepaid hotel bookings through Renowned Hotels and Resorts Up to $150 rideshare credit (enrollment required) Up to $100 United TravelBank cash for Avis/Budget rentals Up to $200 JSX credit |
The information related to the United℠ Explorer Card, United Quest℠ Card and United Club℠ Card was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.
Frequently Asked Questions About the United Explorer Card
Is the United Explorer Card still worth it?
The United Explorer Card is worth it for cardholders who can leverage the welcome bonus, maximize ongoing rewards and get more than $150 in value from its recurring perks.
Does the United Explorer Card give you a free checked bag?
Yes, the United Explorer Card extends a free first checked bag to the primary cardholder and one companion traveling on the same reservation. This benefit applies only to United and United Express-operated flights when the fare or award taxes are charged to the card, though the requirement is waived for the first 90 days after account opening.
What does the United Explorer Card get you?
The United Explorer Card gets you lots of useful travel perks, including over $500 in annual partner credits, free checked bags, lounge passes, in-flight purchase discounts, the ability to accrue rewards on everyday purchases and more.
What credit score do you need for the United Explorer Card?
Chase doesn’t publish the exact credit score you need for the United Explorer Card. However, from what we’ve seen, you’re more likely to be approved with a good-to-excellent credit score of at least 670 on FICO’s scale.
Does the United Explorer Card give you TSA PreCheck?
The United Explorer Card includes up to $120 in statement credits toward your TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS application fee. This credit is issued every four years and covers the full application fee for each of these Trusted Traveler Programs.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.
