Chase
UnitedSM Explorer Card
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $150.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | Up to 80,000 bonus miles |
| Rewards Rate | 1x-9x miles on purchases |
| Regular APR | 19.74Min. of (6.75+12.99) and 29.99%–28.24Min. of (6.75+21.49) and 29.99% variable APR. |
| Network | Visa |
About this card
The UnitedSM Explorer Card earns an overall rating of 3.8, positioning it as a 'Good' to 'Excellent' option, particularly for its target audience of United Airlines flyers. The card shines brightly with an excellent Rewards Rating (4.5) and a very strong Fees Rating (4.2). Its rewards program is highly competitive for United-related spending, featuring up to 9x miles and a generous welcome bonus of up to 80,000 miles. Crucially, the card's extensive array of travel perks—such as free checked bags, annual United Club passes, priority boarding, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, along with numerous statement credits—provides substantial value that easily offsets its $150 annual fee (after the first year). The absence of foreign transaction fees further solidifies its appeal as a travel card. The card also benefits from a robust reputation, consistently praised by financial experts and users for its practical and tangible benefits for United travelers. However, the card is significantly hampered by a very low APR Rating (1.2), featuring a high variable APR range (19.74%-28.24%) with no introductory period. This makes it a costly option for cardholders who carry a balance, despite its many advantages. While the high APR is a notable drawback, the overwhelming value derived from its rewards and benefits, especially for those loyal to United, makes it a highly recommended card for its specific niche, provided balances are paid in full.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate for airline and travel purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes valuable airline travel perks
- Provides various travel and lifestyle credits
- Offers comprehensive travel and purchase protection benefits
Things to consider
- Annual fee applies
- High regular APR
- No intro APR period
- Limited rewards categories outside of airline-specific spending
What this card offers
Sign-up bonuses
- Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles
- Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user to your account in the first 3 months your account is open.
Rewards
- NEW! 9x total miles on eligible United flights - 6x miles on the Primary Cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member, plus 3x miles on entire United purchase with United Explorer Card. Mileage earning differs for Basic Economy tickets. Premier members earn even more.
- NEW! 3x miles on all other eligible United purchases
- 2x miles on hotel stays when booked with the hotel.
- 2x miles on dining including eligible delivery services.
- 1x mile on all other purchases.
Other features
- NEW! Save at least 10% when booking flights with miles. Premier members earn even more.
- Free first checked bag - the primary Cardmember and one companion can each check a first standard bag for free - save up to $160 per roundtrip.
- Priority boarding - the primary Cardmember and companions on the same reservation will be invited to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding.
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year - Over a $100 value. Relax in comfort while waiting for your flight with complimentary beverages, snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi and more.
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 each calendar year to use toward an eligible award flight.
- Up to $120 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee for either program when charged to your card.
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card.
- $100 United® travel credit - Earn after you spend $10,000 with your UnitedSM Explorer Card within a calendar year.
- Up to $100 in credits annually - Receive on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through United® Hotels with your UnitedSM Explorer Card.
- Up to $60 in credits each calendar year - Enroll to receive on rideshare purchases when paying with your UnitedSM Explorer Card.
- Up to $50 in United travel credits annually - Receive when you book Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com and pay with your UnitedSM Explorer Card.
- Up to $120 in Instacart credits each calendar year - Receive for purchases made directly through Instacart with your UnitedSM Explorer Card. Terms apply.
- Up to $100 in credits on JSX purchases annually - Get up to $100 back as a statement credit each anniversary year when you book flights directly with JSX using your United℠ Explorer Card.
- Premier upgrades on award tickets - The primary Cardmember who has MileagePlus® Premier® status and is traveling on an award ticket and one companion that is traveling on the same reservation are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades on select United- and United Express-operated flights, subject to availability.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Earn up to 1,000 Premier® qualifying points (PQP) - You’ll earn 1 PQP for every $20 you spend on purchases with your Explorer Card, up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year. This can be applied toward your Premier® status qualification.
- Auto Rental Coverage - Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less.
- Baggage Delay Insurance - Reimburses you up to $100 a day for up to 3 days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing when baggage is delayed over 6 hours.
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement - Provides reimbursement up to $3,000 per covered traveler for the cost to repair or replace checked or carry-on baggage that is lost, damaged or stolen during a covered trip.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance - You can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per covered traveler and $6,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares, if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or other covered situations.
- Trip Delay Reimbursement - If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per covered traveler.
- Purchase Protection - Covers your eligible new purchases for 120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $10,000 per item.
- Visa Concierge - Get complimentary Visa Signature® Concierge Service 24 hours a day.
- Extended Warranty Protection - Extends the time period of the manufacturer's U.S. warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less, up to four years from the date of purchase.
- Contactless - Just Tap To Pay - For fast, easy and secure checkout simply tap to pay where you see the Contactless symbol.
- Apply for a card, use it the same day - Receive instant access to your card by adding it to a digital wallet, like Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay.
- 3-Month Complimentary Instacart+ Membership - Get complimentary Instacart+ Membership for three months, including unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on eligible orders. After that, you're automatically enrolled in Instacart+ at 25% off the annual rate. Service fees and Terms apply. Benefits end 12/31/27.
- United Card Events from Chase and United MileagePlus Exclusive Events.
Additional Notes
United Explorer Card from Chase, NerdWallet's 2026 Best-Of Awards winner for Best Credit Card Airline Benefits. This card product is available to you if you do not have this card and have not received a new Cardmember bonus for this card in the past 24 months.