United℠ Explorer Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $150
Current welcome offer
Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
My Take
My husband actually held this card several years ago, and the miles came in handy for a positioning flight when we needed to get somewhere specific to start a bigger trip. It's the kind of card that earns its keep in exactly that way — a reliable source of United miles for whenever an award seat lines up, not just for the welcome bonus.
One thing I like that's been added since then is the 10% discount on award fares for cardholders, which wasn't always part of the deal. It's a small thing, but it quietly makes every mile you've earned stretch a little further when you go to redeem. Combined with the free checked bag, Group 2 boarding, and the Premier qualifying points toward status, this card holds up well as a steady United companion, especially for the $0 first-year fee. It's not flashy, but it's dependable in the way a good "keeper" card should be.
How to Earn Rewards
Benefits
- Earn 9X total miles on eligible United flights
- Earn 3X miles on all other eligible United purchases
- Earn 2X miles on dining (including eligible delivery) and hotel stays booked directly with the hotel
- Earn 1X mile on all other purchases
- Up to 1,000 PQP per year toward Premier status (1 PQP per $20 spent)
- Free first checked bag for the Cardmember and one companion
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year
- Group 2 priority boarding
- Up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
- 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases
- No blackout dates, no foreign transaction fees
Is This Card Right For You?
✓ Best for
United travelers who want Premier status progress built into everyday spend
Those who'll use the checked bag, boarding, and Club pass perks regularly
Anyone who can make use of the $500+ in partner credits (Instacart, rideshare, hotels, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck)
Travelers who want a $0 first-year fee to try the card before committing to the $150 ongoing fee
✗ Not ideal for
Occasional United flyers who won't offset the $150 fee after year one
Those who want a simpler card without several credits to track
Travelers who primarily fly other airlines
Is This Card Worth It For You?
Enter how much of each benefit you'll realistically use to see your personal value.
Offer History
This card's welcome bonus has historically moved between roughly 50,000 and 80,000+ miles, often structured as a base amount plus an add-on for an authorized user, similar to the current offer. Chase runs limited-time elevated versions periodically, so it's worth comparing the current offer against this range, and checking whether an authorized-user bonus is attached before applying, since that can meaningfully change the total.
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