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United frequent flyers looking to enhance their travel experience have several credit cards to choose from, each of which offer different perks, points earning opportunities and annual fees.
Today we’re going to take a look at the two cards likely to be of interest to most United flyers: the United Club℠ Infinite Card and the United℠ Explorer Card.
Welcome Bonus
United Club℠ Infinite Card
The United Club℠ Infinite Card typically has a higher bonus, but it also comes with a higher annual fee.
90,000
Bonus Miles
after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Limited time offer.
Annual Fee: $525
United℠ Explorer Card
The United℠ Explorer Card’s bonus tends to vary over time, so be sure to look at the most recent bonus when comparing the two. Typically, the bonus on the Explorer card is lower than that of the Club card, but it is offset with a lower annual fee.
60,000
Bonus Miles
after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Limited time offer.
Annual Fee:
$0 for your first year, then $95.
United Travel Benefits
United Club Access
The United Club℠ Infinite Card comes with a complimentary United Club membership, which grants you access to United Club lounges and select Star Alliance partner lounges when flying on United, United Express or another Star Alliance airline. The membership covers you and up to two adult guests, or one adult and your dependent children.
United℠ Explorer Card holders get two one-time United Club passes when opening the card, and again when renewing. One-time passes are subject to lounge capacity limits.
Free checked bags
When you pay for a United flight with the United Club℠ Infinite Card, you’ll get up to two free checked bags for you and one companion traveling on the same reservation – a value of up to $360 per roundtrip flight.
United℠ Explorer Card holders will get one free checked bag for themselves and a companion on the same reservation when they use their card to pay for a United ticket – up to $140 in savings per roundtrip flight.
25% back on in-flight purchases
Both cards give you a 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card.
Priority Boarding and Premier Access
United Club℠ Infinite Cardholders get Premier Access when flying United, which gives you the same access to priority check-in, security, and boarding as MileagePlus Premier members.
United℠ Explorer Cardholders get priority boarding on United flights – after MileagePlus Premier members and United Club℠ Infinite Cardholders, and before other passengers – but do not get access to priority check-in or security screening.
Expanded award inventory
Both cards come with expanded access to award seats on United flights – a benefit otherwise reserved for MileagePlus Premier members – making it even easier to use your miles.
Upgrades on award tickets
If you have MileagePlus Premier status, having either of these cards makes you eligible for complimentary upgrades on award tickets (normally this is only available on paid United flights).
Bonus Categories
After you receive your welcome bonus, it’s important to look at how many points you’ll earn for ongoing spending.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
With the United Club℠ Infinite Card you’ll earn 4X miles per dollar spent on United purchases including tickets, upgrades, bag fees, change fees, lounge access, in-flight food and beverages, and in-flight WiFi.
You’ll also earn 2X miles per dollar spent in these categories:
- All other travel purchases including hotels, rental cars, taxis and rideshare services, public transportation and purchases on other airlines.
- Restaurants and eligible delivery services
All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar spent. There’s no limit to how many miles you can earn.
United℠ Explorer Card
The United℠ Explorer Card earns 2X miles per dollar spent on the following purchases:
- United Airlines, including tickets, upgrades, bag fees, change fees, lounge access and in-flight purchases.
- Restaurants and eligible food delivery services
- Hotel accommodations purchased directly from the hotel
All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar spent. There’s no limit to how many miles you can earn.
Other Card Benefits
Both cards come with the following benefits.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
Both cards include automatic coverage for rentals of 31 days or less, as long as you decline the rental company’s collision insurance and use your card to pay for the rental. You don’t have to file a claim with your personal auto insurance, and you’re covered for up to the actual value of the car.
Travel protections
When you use your card to pay for travel expenses, you’ll automatically be covered against unexpected fees and out-of-pocket expenses if your trip is delayed, canceled or interrupted, as well as if your baggage is delayed, damaged or lost.
Purchase protection
New purchases are covered against damage or theft during the first 120 days since you paid for them, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per card account.
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck enrollment credit
Every four years, you’ll get up to $100 back as a statement credit when you sign up for or renew membership in Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS.
Chase Offers
Both cards are eligible for cashback offers at specific merchants such as Starbucks, Intercontinental Hotels or Xfinity. These are unpredictable and usually fairly low value, but it’s worth checking the Chase website or mobile app periodically for new opportunities.
Annual Fee
The United Club℠ Infinite Card has a $525 annual fee, while the United℠ Explorer Card has a $95 annual fee (waived for first year).
Final Thoughts
Both of these cards offer useful benefits for frequent United fliers. If you place a high value on United Club access and/or frequently check two bags when flying United, the United Club℠ Infinite Card is a good fit for you. Otherwise, you’ll get most of the same perks with the United℠ Explorer Card for a far lower annual fee.
New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
bonus cash back
after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Miles
once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
bonus points
after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
