United℠ Explorer Card
2x miles on dining purchases, including eligible delivery services
2x miles on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel
1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150
Why We Like This Card
The United Explorer Card is a fantastic choice for travelers who want to maximize their benefits and rewards when flying with United Airlines. With a reasonable annual fee and a generous sign-up bonus, this card offers excellent value for both occasional and frequent United flyers. Cardholders can earn United miles on their everyday spending, with 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays.
Cardholders also enjoy priority boarding + a free checked bag on United flights and two one-time United Club℠ passes each year. The card also provides a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit (up to $120 every four years) and expands award availability for easier redemption of miles.
While this card offers tremendous value for United flyers, if this is among your first cards, we encourage you to look into cards that offer more flexible transfer partners first. Rather than siloing yourself into one airline first, by pursuing a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you earn points that can be transferred to one of Chase’s 14 different transfer partners (including United!).
Other Benefits
- 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
- Purchases made with your Explorer Card outside the U.S. will not be subject to foreign transaction fees
- Up to $100 in credits on United® Hotels purchases annually
- Earn up to $60 in credits on rideshare purchases annually
- Up to $50 in United travel credits on Avis or Budget purchases annually
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- Purchase protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year
- Up to $100 in credits on JSX purchases annually
- 3-Month Complimentary Instacart+ Membership. Terms apply.
- Over $400 in partner credits each year
- Earn a $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases with your UnitedSM Explorer Card within a calendar year
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