United Explorer Card Review

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The United℠ Explorer Card does a great job at delivering value for a reasonable annual fee of $95, waived first year. It's one of the most well-rounded airline credit cards available, elevating your airport experience in a handful of powerful ways. The card is also offering a good welcome bonus of United℠ Explorer Card. 

Review: Is the United Explorer the best credit card for you?

The United℠ Explorer Card is a great way to save money and get better access to United awards while earning United MileagePlus miles with every dollar you spend. 

Regular United flyers will love a free first checked bag for the cardholder and a companion on each trip, a statement credit worth up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS, and two one-time passes to the United Club each anniversary year.

The United℠ Explorer Card carries an annual fee of $95, waived first year, which is on par with other entry-level airline credit cards. Since you'll get $95 in value with the free checked bags in one or two trips each year alone, this card is easily worth it for United travelers.

You'll also get one of the best United credit card benefits: expanded access to United's lowest-priced award flights. As a cardholder, you'll see more "saver" award flights than non-cardholders when you're logged into your United account, and this can help you stretch your miles even further.

If you're interested in the United℠ Explorer Card, it's offering a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open (plus, an additional 10k bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months). That's worth around United℠ Explorer Card - Featured Reward Value in flights, based on Insider's points and miles valuations. 

Depending on your travel and spending habits, you may want to look at other United cards to compare. For example, the New United Quest℠ Card also comes with a solid welcome bonus: New United Quest℠ Card (worth around United Quest℠ Card - Featured Reward Value in travel). Plus, cardholders get two free checked bags on United flights.

Or, for frequent flyers, the United Club℠ Infinite Card could be worth considering, because it offers access to United Club airport lounges. It's currently offering a welcome bonus of United Club℠ Infinite Card (worth about United Club℠ Infinite Card - Featured Reward Value in flights).

We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

How to earn miles with the United Explorer card

The United℠ Explorer Card makes it easy to earn lots of miles, whether you're flying United or spending money on other travel purchases.

Cardholders earn:

• 2 miles per dollar on eligible United purchases (including airline tickets purchased from United, United seat upgrades, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi, baggage service charges, other United fees, and United Card Events from Chase)
• 2 miles per dollar on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel, including hotels, motels, smaller establishments like bed and breakfasts, and inns (note that hotel accommodations purchased through travel agencies, discount travel sites, vacation clubs, tour operators, or as part of a package offered by merchants such as cruise lines and railways don't qualify)
• 2 miles per dollar on dining (including eligible delivery services)
• 1 mile per dollar on everything else

How to use United miles 

You can use United miles for flights on United Airlines or its partners, including Star Alliance airlines like Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines. Because United no longer has an award chart, the number of miles required for a ticket will vary depending on demand, paid ticket price, and season.

One-way domestic economy award tickets start at 5,000 miles, but can range up to over 30,000 miles. You can find saver business or first-class awards within the US for as few as 25,000 miles, but also as high as over 60,000 miles. From the US to other regions, prices start at around 32,500 miles in economy and 63,000 miles in business class.

Insider's points and miles valuations peg United miles as worth 1.3 cents each, on average, so if you're getting that rate or better when you compare the cost of your award flight to that of a paid ticket, you're getting a good deal. 

United also offers a redemption option called "Money + Miles." Similar to Delta's Pay With Miles, it's currently available on select United flights, and allows you to pay for part of your fare with cash and the rest with miles, at a fixed rate of 1 cent per mile.

That's a lower rate than our average United miles value, but this can be handy if you don't have enough miles for an award ticket but want to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

If you're not ready to travel yet, there's no rush to spend your miles because United miles don't expire. However, you've got other redemption options, but you'll typically get a much lower value:

• Seat upgrades
• United Club memberships
• Inflight Wi-Fi passes
• TSA PreCheck application fees
• Merchandise
• Gift cards
• Experiences
• Hotels and cruises 
• Charitable donations

United Explorer card benefits and features

If you rarely fly United, there are better travel rewards cards out there. But if you fly United at least a few times per year, you might consider getting the United℠ Explorer Card even as a secondary credit card, or one you only use with United — just for the travel benefits. 

United Club one-time passes

With the United℠ Explorer Card, you'll get two United Club airport lounge one-time passes each anniversary year. United Club one-time passes usually cost $59 each, so this benefit is worth more than the annual fee alone.

Free first checked bag

When you have the United℠ Explorer Card, you and one companion on the same reservation get a free checked bag when you pay for your ticket (or the taxes and fees on an award ticket) with the card.

A first checked bag on United costs $35, so this perk is worth up to $140 per round-trip — more than the card's annual fee.

Priority boarding

Getting on the airplane sooner gives you more time to get comfortable and find space for your carry-on bag. With the  United℠ Explorer Card, you'll get priority boarding for yourself and your companions on the same reservation.

This means you'll board before general boarding is called, but after MileagePlus Premier members, customers with Premier Access, and travelers requiring special assistance.

Discount on inflight purchases

Cardmembers are also eligible for 25% back, in the form of a statement credit, when they use the United℠ Explorer Card to pay for purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi onboard United- and United Express-operated flights.

Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit

United℠ Explorer Card cardholders can receive up to $100 credit for the NEXUS, Global Entry, or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years. In addition, Chase recently added NEXUS as an option to use the credit — it's a trusted traveler program that includes TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, and also allows expedited entry into Canada.

This is a perk many cards offer nowadays, so if you've already enrolled in one of these programs, you can always use your card to pay a friend or family member's fee and still get the credit.

Complimentary Premier Upgrades

United Premier members who have the United℠ Explorer Card and are traveling on an award ticket are eligible for complimentary Premier Upgrades on eligible domestic United-operated flights, subject to availability. This perk is for the primary cardholder only; travel companions or authorized users don't qualify.

Premier Qualifying Points

United℠ Explorer Card cardholders receive 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) for every $12,000 spent on purchases with the card, up to 1,000 PQP per calendar year. This can give you a boost if you're working toward the next level of elite status.

Expanded award availability

When you have the United℠ Explorer Card, you'll get expanded award availability on United flights that is not available to non-cardholders and can bring down the number of miles you need for redemptions dramatically.

Car rental insurance

United℠ Explorer Card cardholders can receive primary car rental insurance, which can save money if their rental vehicle is damaged.

When you use the card to pay for your rental and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, you're covered for damage due to collision or theft up to the actual value of the vehicle for most car rentals in the US and abroad. Be sure to read the terms and conditions that come with the card for any exclusions.

Baggage delay insurance

If your bag is delayed by a common carrier (like the airline) by six hours or more, you can get reimbursement for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing, up to $100 a day for up to three days.

Lost luggage reimbursement

When you use your United℠ Explorer Card to pay for your ticket, if the airline loses or damages your bag, you and your immediate family members could be covered for up to $3,000 per passenger.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance

If you use the United℠ Explorer Card to pay for pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares and have to cancel or cut your trip short, you can be reimbursed up to $3,000 per passenger.

Covered situations include sickness and severe weather, but check the terms and conditions for limitations.

Trip delay reimbursement

If your flight or other travel on a common carrier is delayed by 12 hours or more, or requires an overnight stay, you and your family can be covered for up to $500 per ticket for unreimbursed expenses, like hotel rooms and meals, if you paid with your United℠ Explorer Card.

Purchase protection

If you use your United℠ Explorer Card to pay for a new, eligible purchase, you're covered for up to 120 days against damage or theft, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. 

Extended warranty

When you use the United℠ Explorer Card to pay, it extends the US original manufacturer's warranty on eligible items by a year, on warranties of three years or less. This can save you from having to spend money on an expensive extended warranty for big-ticket items.

Visa Signature concierge

The Visa Signature concierge can help you coordinate things like hard-to-get restaurant reservations or tickets to theater and sporting events. It doesn't cost anything to use the service, but any third-party costs are your responsibility.

Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort collection

When you have the United℠ Explorer Card, you can book through the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection — a selection of upscale hotels which offer elite-like perks when you book through the program. You'll get extras like complimentary breakfast, unique benefits or credits specific to each property, room upgrades, and other goodies like early check-in and late checkout (when available).

It's important to compare rates and perks through the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection to booking with the hotel directly; sometimes, you'll pay more through Chase and the benefits won't outweigh the additional cost.

Monthly Gopuff credits

The United℠ Explorer Card offers $10 per month in Gopuff credits when you add your card as the default payment method of your Gopuff app. Gopuff is a service that offers fast delivery of everyday items like food, alcohol, electronics, and medicine.

You'll receive the credit automatically when you make a qualifying purchase with Gopuff. There's a minimum order amount of $10, and a flat $3.95 delivery fee per order. This promotion ends on December 31, 2023.

DoorDash DashPass membership

Cardholders can activate one year of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership, which normally costs $9.99 per month. DashPass gets you free delivery and reduced service fees on orders of $12 or more from both DoorDash and Caviar delivery services. Activation of the benefit is required by December 31, 2024.

Fees and costs

The United℠ Explorer Card has an annual fee of United℠ Explorer Card. There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card anywhere in the world without racking up extra charges.

You can avoid most other fees on the United℠ Explorer Card by paying your bill in full each month and avoiding interest charges. Like most other credit cards, there are fees for balance transfers, cash advances, late payments, and returned payments.

Compare United Explorer vs other United credit cards

*When you use your card to pay for your ticket, or the taxes and fees on an award ticket

****Up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year for the United Explorer Card; up to 6,000 PQP in a calendar year for the United Quest; up to 8,000 PQP in a calendar year for the United Club Infinite card

United Explorer vs other airline credit cards

*When you use your card to pay for your ticket, or the taxes and fees on an award ticket

****Up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year for the United Explorer Card

United Explorer Card frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What credit score do you need for the United Explorer Card?

Most folks who are approved for the United℠ Explorer Card have a credit score in the good to excellent range. This means a FICO score of at least 670.

If you're not quite where you need to be yet, read our guide to improving your credit score and how using credit cards can help boost your score.

Is the United Explorer a Visa or Mastercard?

The United℠ Explorer Card is a Visa Signature card, which means it comes with excellent travel insurance and purchase protection, along with other perks.

Is the United Explorer Card worth it?

If you fly United even a couple of times a year, the United℠ Explorer Card is worth it for the free checked bag benefit alone (remember, this applies to the primary cardholder and one companion on the same reservation when you use the card to pay for your ticket). At $35 per checked bag, it's easy to get a value that exceeds the card's annual fee.

And other perks, like two one-time United Club lounge passes per year, priority boarding, and inflight discounts, can also translate into savings for occasional flyers. But if you fly United rarely, you may do better with a card that earns transferable points, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, because you'll have more flexibility in how you earn and redeem your rewards.

Who is eligible for the United Explorer card?

The United℠ Explorer Card is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, which means if you've opened five or more credit cards from any bank (excluding some small-business cards), you won't be approved for the card. You're also not eligible if you already have a United℠ Explorer Card open, or earned the welcome bonus from one in the past 24 months.

However, you can have other United credit cards, like the United℠ Business Card or United Quest℠ Card, and still be eligible to apply for the United℠ Explorer Card.

How do you get TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS with the United Explorer card?

When you use your United℠ Explorer Card to pay the application fee for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS, you'll receive a statement credit (up to $100) for the charge on your account. There's no requirement to activate the credit — it will show up automatically after you make a qualifying transaction.

You're eligible for the benefit once every four years, and you can use the credit for yourself or someone else's application.

How do you get United Club lounge passes with the United Explorer card?

Within four weeks of opening your United℠ Explorer Card, two United Club one-time passes will be deposited into your United MileagePlus account. You'll receive another pair of passes each year just after your account anniversary.

To access a United Club lounge, you can show your lounge pass through the United app, or print them out from your MileagePlus account. It's important to note that each pass has an expiration date, and if you close your United℠ Explorer Card the passes may be removed from your account.

How do you get a free checked bag with the United Explorer card?

Unlike with some other airline credit cards, you'll need to use your United℠ Explorer Card to pay for your ticket to receive a free checked bag for yourself and up to one companion on the same reservation. Your MileagePlus membership number must also be on the reservation.

If you're flying on an award ticket, paying the taxes and fees with your card will also enable you to use the benefit. Just keep in mind this perk is only available on United or United Express-operated flights; codeshare flights aren't eligible.