Chase · credit
Last updated
Typically needs good credit (guideline, not a guarantee)
Is the United Explorer worth keeping when the fee hits? →
Welcome offer — 50,000 bonus miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months (offer varies) Inferred by source
Portal caveat — Chase Travel averages ~5.94% above booking direct; portal redemptions are worth less than the headline rate.
Apply on Chase's siteOfficial issuer page (not an affiliate link yet) · how we earn
Personalize this for you → add your cards & memberships and we'll show what it's really worth to you.
What this card delivers across six value dimensions (0–100, normalized).
| 2× | United purchases Inferred by source |
|---|---|
| 2× | Dining & hotel stays (booked direct) Inferred by source |
| 1× | Everything else Inferred by source |
| Global Entry / TSA PreCheck | $120/yr · one-time Inferred by source |
|---|
No lounge access.
| free checked bag | First checked bag free for you + a companion on United-operated flights (tickets bought with the card) (~$80/yr) Inferred by source |
|---|---|
| priority boarding | Priority boarding on United-operated flights Inferred by source |
| inflight discount | 25% back as a statement credit on United inflight food, beverages & Wi-Fi Inferred by source |
| 2 United Club one-time passes / year | Day passes — not ongoing United Club membership Inferred by source |
|---|
| Trip cancellation | Up to $1,500/person, $6,000/trip Inferred by source |
|---|---|
| Rental car CDW | Primary CDW coverage Inferred by source |
| Baggage | Up to $3,000 per passenger Inferred by source |
*Realized/net assume full use of non-spend-gated credits — an upper bound. †First-year net adds the one-time sign-up bonus (counts once, not recurring). Personalize it
The United℠ Explorer Card has a $95 annual fee.
Using its non-spend-gated credits fully, the United℠ Explorer Card returns about $120 in value against its $95 annual fee — a net of +$25 per year. It can pay for itself if you actually use the credits.
The United℠ Explorer Card earns 2x on united purchases, 2x on dining & hotel stays (booked direct), 1x on everything else.
No — the United℠ Explorer Card does not include airport lounge access.
No — the United℠ Explorer Card has no foreign transaction fee, so it's a good card to use abroad.
50,000 bonus miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months (offer varies). Welcome offers change frequently — confirm the current one on the issuer's page before applying.