United Explorer Card

Some travelers will only use United Airlines for their trips. We understand, the seats are high quality, there are plenty of rewards for frequent flyers and the flight attendants are extremely professional. What if we told you there’s a way to get even more benefits while keeping your loyalty to your favorite airline? 

The United Explorer Card allows you to fly as much as you want while earning miles as well as hotel stays and even free checking for your bags. You’ll even get two free lounge passes that give you the best traveling experience. 

Other airline co-branded credit cards might even give you miles, but the United Explorer has been the winner in the category so far. The only problem you might find with it will be its high fees and APRs, but it mostly makes up for the fees. 

Find out everything you need to know about the United Explorer Card, how to apply, main benefits, APRs and fees below.

How does a United Explorer Card work? 

United Explorer Card is an airline credit card that gives the frequent flier some interesting advantages. It attracts customers with a great intro offer, but there’s a lot more to it. While there is a high annual fee, the miles you earn and can exchange for flights later on by using this card. 

Summing things up, this is a conventional rewards card focused on United Airlines. Once you get it, you’ll have access to some of the most common benefits from this type of credit card. That includes free checked bags and priority boarding. So you can be sure there’ll be a lot less headaches involved in flying. 

Are you traveling with a rental? There’s insurance that pays up before the car rental company’s own services. So you can save up during your trips and do everything a bit more safely. That’s why Chase’s United Explorer card has been a must have in people’s wallet since it launched. 

Just be aware that this is a Chase product we’re talking about. While the company may have many rewards cards for travel, such as Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, you can’t apply for more than five of them in the last 24 months to be eligible. 

Who is the United Explorer Card for?

The United Explorer Card is simply a card for people who fly a lot. Otherwise, you’ll have a bit of a hard time to make up for the high annual fee. It’s also important to note that this isn’t the only card that can help you boost your United mileage since many financial providers work with the company. 

However, its perks are some of the most complete and luxurious in the market. This option offers advantages for both national and international travelers that want easy check-in, pre-checked bags with no additional cost and miles to save up on next purchases. 

Main benefits for the United Explorer Card

While using the United Explorer Card you’ll have access to a few privileges as a flier. You can check your first bag for free whenever you book a flight with the card and get priority boarding twice a year when you visit the United ClubSM. There’s even a statement credit for 25% of in-flight purchases. 

There’s even more to this credit card that you should know about: 

• 2 miles per $1 spent on dining and eligible delivery services;
• 70.000 miles after spending $3.000 on your first 3 months with the card; 
• 60.000 additional miles after spending $6.000 on your first 6 months with the card; 
• 2 miles per $1 on hotel stays and United purchases;
• No annual fee for the first year. 

The rewards program for this card is pretty robust. You earn unlimited miles as long as you book United tickets or hotel rooms in partner companies. 

Rewards programs for this credit card

The 2 miles per dollar spent on flights and hotels is quite standard for cards that focus on flights. You can earn this prize whenever you buy with United, this includes flights, inflight purchases and other transactions. However, this card shines because it extends the benefits to purchases on partner hotels and even dining. 

But the advantages don’t stop there! You will earn 1 mile per dollar for every other purchase. 

The welcome bonus is also attractive. You earn 70.000 miles after spending $3.000 on your first 3 months and additional 60.000 miles after spending $6.000. If you’re using your card consistently and for everyday purchases, this shouldn’t be too hard. 

At last, we can talk about the intro-offer that leaves card holders free of the $95 annual fee for 12 months. So you can get every benefit of the card without worrying!

Redeeming rewards

Credit card users can redeem rewards through United’s mileage program. The 70.000 welcome bonus is enough for an economy class international round-trip. You can also combine miles from other Chase cards programs since they share a platform, as well as United’s rewards programs. 

The only problem we can mention when it comes to redeeming rewards is the fact that United doesn’t have a chart listing each flight’s value in miles. Actually, this price can vary according to when you’re traveling, so you could get more or less value for your money depending on the month. 

Cons for this credit card

The only cons we can mention for United Explorer Card is the fact that it checks less bags than most conventional cards of its category. When you book a flight with this card, you’ll only be able to check one bag for you and a travel partner for free. Other airline cards might offer free checked bags for more people in your group. 

APRs and fees

The fees might also put you off, but remember that you won’t pay an annual fee for the first year. 

• $95 annual fee after 12 months; 
• 16,74% – 23,74% variable APR;
• $5 or 5% balance transfer APR; 
• $10 or 5% cash advance APR; 
• No foreign transaction fee. 

You can apply on Chase’s official website.

How to Apply

You can apply for the United Explorer Card through Chase’s official website. Be mindful of the rule that Chase cards can’t be applied for more than five times in a 24-month period if you have other Chase cards.

Overall, the United Explorer Card offers robust benefits for loyal United Airlines travelers, with a strong rewards program and valuable travel perks, though the fees and APRs may be a consideration.

Conclusion

The United Explorer Card is a solid option for frequent United Airlines travelers who want to maximize their loyalty benefits and earn rewards. Here’s a recap of what it offers:

• Strong Rewards Program: Earn 2 miles per $1 on United purchases, hotel stays, and dining, with a substantial welcome bonus that can be redeemed for significant travel rewards.
• Valuable Travel Perks: Includes free checked bags, priority boarding, and two United Club passes annually, enhancing the overall travel experience.
• Initial Fee Waiver: No annual fee for the first year, which helps offset the $95 fee in subsequent years.

However, consider the following:

• High APRs and Fees: The card comes with a variable APR and fees that might be high if you carry a balance or make balance transfers.
• Limited Free Checked Bags: The benefit is limited to one bag for you and one companion, which may be fewer than other airline cards offer.

Overall, if you’re a dedicated United Airlines traveler who can leverage the card’s benefits effectively, the United Explorer Card can provide substantial value. If the high fees and APRs are a concern, or if you don’t fly frequently with United, you might want to explore other travel cards or loyalty programs.