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The UnitedSM Explorer Card has some great perks and benefits, especially for those who frequently fly United.
Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
With a $95 annual fee that’s waived for the first year, this credit card is best suited toward flyers that spend a lot.
Nonetheless, this card’s valuable benefits, like free bags and limited lounge access, and expanded bonus categories can easily make up for its annual fee, even if you don’t fly United regularly.
The card is practical. It helps with common hassles while flying United, especially dealing with luggage, whether you check it in or carry it aboard. Plus, its ability to earn 2X miles on restaurant purchases and hotel stays makes it an ideal everyday credit card, not just when you’re flying United.
| BONUS LINK | OFFER | REVIEW |
| Chase Total Business Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
| Chase Total Checking®SM | $200 Cash | Review |
| Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM | $300 Cash | Review |
| You InvestSM by J.P. Morgan | Up To $725 Cash | Review |
Table of Contents
United Explorer Card Summary
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| Bonus Available | Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open |
| *Bonus Value | $560 |
| Travel Credit | No travel credit, but you get credit for your Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check application fee, up to $100, every four years. |
| Ongoing Rewards/Benefits |
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| Foreign Transaction Fees | None |
| Airport Lounge Access | Two United Club one-time passes after account opening and every year for your cardmember anniversary. |
| Annual Fee | Waived your first year; $95 annually |
Recommended Free Credit Score (Get Free Score)
690 – 850 (Good-Excellent)
* The UnitedSM Explorer Card is issued by Chase. They also offer great sign-up bonuses. You can also compare this card with other credit card bonuses!
* Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by BankCheckingSavings and not the card issuer.
View our latest valuations here.
PROS
- Bonus miles
- Lounge access
- Free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit
- Partner airlines
- No foreign transaction fees
CONS
- Has an annual fee
- Good-Excellent credit needed to qualify
- Best for frequent United flyers
Editor’s Alternate Pick
 The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®! You'll earn 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide; 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. And when you redeem your points for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll get 25% more value! |
United Explorer Card Bonus Miles Offer
Take advantage of the 40,000 MileagePlus bonus miles promotion. Compare this with other card bonuses.
To get the 40,000 bonus miles, charge at least $2,000 to your card within the first 3 months of opening your account.
Here are some ideas on meeting the spending requirements:
| • Plastiq: Plastiq allows you to pay for expenses that you generally won’t be able to with your card like rent, tuition, auto lease, mortgage payment, and more. There’s a 2.5% processing fee for using your credit card. However, this’ll be worth the card bonus you’ll get. There’s also a referral program where you can earn “Fee-Free Dollars” to use towards processing fees. See our Plastiq review. |
| • Fund Checking accounts with your card: Many banks will allow you to fund the opening deposit with a credit card. Consider opening Checking accounts that also offer a sign-up bonus. This way, you can work towards bonuses from two different sources. Big banks like Chase, HSBC, Huntington, and TD Bank have great offers and allow credit card funding. You can generally fund anywhere from $50 to $1,000 towards the opening deposit with a credit card, depending on the bank. |
| • Buy gift cards: Consider buying gift cards with your credit card that you can then spend later at your leisure. Individual merchant cards (restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, etc.) generally don’t have purchase fees, so this is a plus. On the other hand, American Express and Visa gift cards will have purchase fees. Amazon gift cards are a great idea as you can shop for almost anything there with no purchase fees either. Unfortunately, Citi credit cards tend to code gift card purchases as Cash Advances and there’ll be a fee. Call in to customer service and lower your Cash Advance limit to $0 before purchasing gift cards. You can also buy discounted gift cards as well from Raise or find gift cards on eBay. |
| • Everyday spending & bills: Always using your credit card for everyday spending, such as for dining, gas, groceries, etc. You can also use your credit card to pay for things like insurance bills, property taxes and income taxes. However, you’ll have to consider the convenience fees. |
What are MileagePlus Miles Worth?
Your miles’ worth depends on how you use them. The value of of one MileagePlus mile ranges $0.005 to $0.021, but on average, each MileagePlus mile at around $0.014.
You can redeem your MileagePlus miles for:
- Flights and upgrades (United Airlines and Star Alliance partners)
- Travel (hotel stays, car rentals, cruises)
- Enhanced travel (United Club membership, WiFi, etc.)
- Dining
- Merchandise
- Gift cards
- Experiences
- Subscriptions (magazines and newspapers)
- Donations
In order to get the maxixmum value of your miles, redeem then for flights and seat upgrades on United and Star Alliance partners. Since all other options give you a lower per-mile value of less than $0.01. Plus it’s good to note that your MileagePLus miles don’t expire as long as your account is open.
United Explorer Card Top Features
Lounge access: Being a United Explorer Cardholder also entitles you to two United Club passes each year. Each pass gives you admission to a United Club in participating airports. You can enjoy complimentary beverages, snacks, Wi-Fi, work spaces, and more. Each pass is worth $59, which already covers your annual fee.
Free checked bags: The most valuable benefit is a free first checked bag for you and a traveling companion. This is available on United-operated flights only. To qualify, you must purchase tickets using your card and be one of the people traveling on the flight. It’s usually $25 per checked bag on United. So, if you’re traveling with 2 people and on 2 flights in one itinerary, the value of this benefit is estimated to be up to $100.
Priority Boarding: To unlock this feature, you must add your MileagePlus number to your reservation. You’ll get on the plane earlier and get first choice on overhead bin space for your hand luggage.
In-flight discounts: Enjoy in-flight discounts on food, beverages and WiFi on board United-operated flights. You’ll get 25% back as statement credit. Just make sure you pay with your United Explorer card.
This perk covers your application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Get up to $100 in statement credit every four years.
You can earn and use MileagePlus miles on over 35 airlines worldwide with Star Alliance member airlines and other members.
Star Alliance member airlines include:
| Adria | Aegean | Air Canada |
| Air China | Air India | Air New Zealand |
| ANA | Asiana Airlines | Austrian Airlines |
| Avianca | Brussels Airlines | Copa Airlines |
| Croatia Airlines | EgyptAir | Ethiopian Airlines |
| EVA Air | LOT Polish Airlines | Lufthansa |
| SAS | Shenzhen Airlines | Singapore Airlines |
| South African Airways | Swiss International Airways | Air Portugal |
| Thai Airways International | Turkish Airlines |
Other worldwide partners include:
| Aer Lingus | Aeromar | AirDolomiti |
| Azul Brazilian Airlines | Boutique Air | Cape Air |
| Edelweiss | Eurowings | Hawaiian Airlines |
| Olympic Air | Silver Airways |
Make purchases abroad without worrying about foreign transaction fees with the United Explorer Card.
Conclusion
The Chase UnitedSM Explorer Card has some worthy cardholder benefits. It features a free first checked bag for up to 2 people, 2 United Club passes, and up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit. Using even just one of these benefits can cover the annual fee. In addition, it has recently modified how cardholders can earn their miles, making it easier with the 2X bonus miles on restaurant purchases and hotel stays.
However, unless you’ll fly on United more than once a year, some of this card’s best features will leave you unimpressed. If you fly United less, don’t spend that much on your card, or would rather have more flexibility, try looking for general travel credit cards, or even cash back cards. You can check some out on our list of credit card promotions. Although these will usually result in a lower rewards rates, you’ll get the added benefit of extra freedom.
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Learn more about this card and its features here.
What’s the Competition?
More Flexibility
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®! You'll earn 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide; 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. And when you redeem your points for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll get 25% more value! |
Simpler Rewards
 The Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening (equal to $500 in travel). Named ‘The Best Travel Card' by CNBC, 2018. You're able to earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Plus earn 10X miles on thousands of hotels, through January 2020; learn more at hotels.com/venture. This card does come with a $95 annual fee, however, there is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔®. |
Other Airlines
 The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers 35,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. You'll earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X mile for every eligible dollar you spend on purchases. There is a $95 annual fee, however, there is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (See Rates & Fees). Now, you'll get a savings of up to $240 per round trip for a family of four by being able to check your first bag free on Delta flights. |
The Best Bank Offers are updated here. See the below pages to get started with some of the best offers: • Chase Bank Offers. Chase offers a range of attractive Checking, Savings and Business Accounts. Chase has a great selection of sign-up bonuses in comparison to other big banks. • HSBC Bank Offers. HSBC Bank routinely has offers for several of their Personal Checking and Business Checking accounts. They also have a good referral program. • Huntington Bank Offers. Huntington Bank has high bonus amounts available through their Checking and Business Checking. Huntington also offers a Business Premier Money Market Account. • Discover Bank Offers. Discover Bank offers top cashback, savings, money market accounts and CD rates for you to take advantage of. Discover has industry leading selections to cater to your banking needs. • TD Bank Offers. TD Bank consistently offers a fantastic selection of checking accounts to cater to your banking needs. However, savings account offers are less frequently available. |
| BONUS LINK | OFFER | REVIEW |
| HSBC Premier Checking Member FDIC | $450 Cash | Review |
| HSBC Premier Checking Member FDIC | Up To $600 | Review |
| HSBC Advance Checking Member FDIC | $200 Cash | Review |
| HSBC Advance Checking Member FDIC | Up To $240 | Review |
| Chase Total Business Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
| Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM | $300 Cash | Review |
| Chase Total Checking® | $200 Cash | Review |
| TD Bank Beyond Checking | $300 Cash | Review |
| TD Bank Convenience CheckingSM | $150 Cash | Review |
| Huntington 25 Checking | $500 Cash | Review |
| Huntington 5 Checking | $200 Cash | Review |
| Huntington Asterisk-Free Checking® | $150 Cash | Review |
| Huntington Bank Unlimited Plus Business Checking | $750 Cash | Review |
| Huntington Bank Unlimited Business Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
| Huntington Bank Business Checking 100 | $200 Cash | Review |
| CIT Bank Money Market | 1.00% APY | Review |
| CIT Bank Savings Builder | 0.95% APY | Review |
| Simple | 1.00% APY | Review |
Bankcheckingsavings has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Bankcheckingsavings and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
I was on a recent flight and picked up the following promotion code which gives you 2,500 bonus sign-up miles. I know it’s not much, but better than no bonus. UAVS7Z
unitedexplorercard.com/inflight
Well you all sent me an offer for 70,000 miles bonus if you spend $3,000 in 3 months and
what I get is 50,000 miles bonus offer that’s not right to play games I thought we are dealing with a serious site.
Hi Keria, the promotion presented here is “targeted” meaning that only certain people would be able to get the offer. If you would still like to see if you can receive this bonus- contact CSR and see if they will match your application to this promotion. Good luck!