Is the United℠ Explorer Card Worth it?

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If you fly frequently with a specific airline, you may wonder about the value of opening a co-branded airline credit card. Co-branded airline credit cards earn frequent flyer miles within the respective airline’s loyalty program and offer exclusive cardholder perks when flying with the airline.

United℠ Explorer Card is one such example of a co-branded airline credit card. A mid-tier card co-issued by Chase and United Airlines, it offers frequent flyers with United a host of benefits, including a free checked bag, expanded award availability and a lucrative welcome offer.

But is the United Explorer Card worthy of a slot in your wallet?

Here’s a full rundown of the United Explorer Card’s benefits, a comparison with other credit cards in the same annual fee range and a final judgement on whether it’s worth holding.

United Explorer Card: Overview

Before jumping in, here’s a quick overview of the United Explorer Card’s features:

Bonus Spending Categories

The United Explorer Card offers a solid range of bonus spending categories with above-average point multipliers.

You’ll earn the following rates on qualifying spending:

• 2X miles on purchases with United, including in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, tickets, Economy Plus and other eligible purchases
• 2X miles on prepaid hotel stays booked through United Hotels
• 2X miles on dining, including eligible delivery services
• 2X miles on hotel accommodations purchased directly with the hotel
• 1X miles on all other purchases

United MileagePlus members earn a base rate of 5X miles per dollar spent on United fare purchases. That means that the United Explorer Card earns an additional 2X miles on top of this base rate, for a total of 7X miles per dollar spent. So if you charged a $600 United flight ticket to your card, you’d earn a total of 4,200 miles.

Likewise, United MileagePlus members earn a base rate of 2X miles per dollar spent on United Hotels. When you pay prepay through United Hotels, you’ll also earn an extra 1X miles on your spending. In addition to this, the Explorer Card earns 2X miles on United Hotels, for a total of 5X miles on United Hotels spending. That means that an $800 hotel stay would score you a total of 4,000 miles.

Additionally, you can earn 2X miles per dollar spent on dining, including eligible delivery services, as well as 2X miles per dollar spent on all other hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. This way, you can earn miles on other types of spending besides United products.

Statement Credit Perks

The United Explorer Card boasts more than $500 worth of annual statement credits, making its $150 annual fee seem miniscule in comparison. Let’s check out these statement credit perks.

$100 United TravelBank Cash

The Explorer Card offers $100 in United TravelBank cash when you charge $10,000 to your card within a calendar year.

You can use United TravelBank cash to pay for future United- and United Express-operated flights. Keep in mind that while TravelBank cash can’t be combined with travel certificates, flight credits or miles, it can be used in combination with card payments.

Similarly, while the normal expiration date for United TravelBank cash is five years, credit card-conferred TravelBank credits expire 12 months after the date of issuance.

If you manage to reach $10,000 in spending, this perk effectively cuts the annual fee by two-thirds (assuming you use it before its expiry date).

$100 United Hotels Credit

You can receive up to $100 in annual statement credits for stays with United Hotels when booked directly through United Hotels and charged to your Explorer Card.

You’ll receive a $50 credit for the first hotel booking and the other $50 credit for your second booking.

If you manage to stay twice with United Hotels, this perk effectively reduces the annual fee by two-thirds.

$60 Ride-Hailing Credit

You can get up to $60 in credits every calendar year toward ride-hailing service purchases.

The credit is issued in $5 monthly credits. That means you’ll get $5 back every month when you use your Explorer Card to pay for a rideshare service.

If you tend to Uber or Lyft around town, this is an easy way to cut a third off the card’s annual fee.

$50 Budget or Avis Credit

If you rent a car at least twice per year, you can take full advantage of the Explorer Card’s $50 credit toward rental purchases with Budget and Avis.

The credit is issued in $25 increments per eligible rental purchase. You’ll need a minimum rental period of two days for the credit to apply.

This perk provides an additional easy way to reduce the card’s annual fee.

$120 Instacart Credits

If you already use Instacart, you’ll appreciate the United Explorer Card’s annual $120 Instacart credit. And if you don’t already have an Instacart membership, you can take advantage of a complimentary three-month Instacart+ membership from Chase when you activate it by Dec. 31, 2027. After the complimentary period expires, you’ll be enrolled at the then-current rate with a 25% discount.

The credit is issued in $10 monthly increments when you make at least one purchase worth $10 or more every month.

This credit comes close to offsetting the annual fee entirely, making it worthwhile to maximize.

$100 JetSuiteX Credit

If you’re in the mood for a semi-private jet experience, you can take advantage of the United Explorer Card’s $100 statement credit for JetSuiteX purchases.

JetSuiteX operates short-haul routes within the United States, particularly the Southwest, as well as flights to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and seasonal routes to Florida and New York. Its jets are fitted with only 30 seats and offer an intimate and comfortable flight experience.

When you spend $100 or more directly with JSX, the $100 credit will be applied to your account automatically.

United and Flight Perks

Let’s now turn our attention to the Explorer Card’s United- and flight-related perks.

Free First Checked Bag

The United Explorer Card offers a free first checked bag for yourself and up to one travel companion.

That equates to savings of up to $160 per round-trip, meaning you could offset the card’s annual fee in a single trip with a companion.

Similarly, United Explorer Card holders can bring a carry-on bag for free on flights when booked in basic economy. This saves you from paying $65 to gate-check a bag that’s too big to fit under your seat.

In other words, both team carry-on and team checked baggage can benefit from this perk, offering significant savings potential.

Access to Expanded Award Availability

As a holder of the United Explorer Card, you’ll enjoy expanded economy-class saver award availability (fare class XN).

This means you have a greater chance of securing low-priced economy award fares, allowing you to save your miles for other redemptions.

Just remember that you’ll need to be logged into your United MileagePlus account when searching for award fares to benefit from this perk.

Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus Credit

The United Explorer Card offers a complimentary statement credit toward a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or Nexus application fee, every four years.

You’ll need to use your Explorer Card to pay the application fee through an eligible enrollment provider to qualify for the credit.

So whether you’re an international jet-setter, die-hard domestic flyer or road warrior, you can take advantage of the savings offered by this perk.

10,000-mile Award Flight Discount

If you charge $20,000 to your card within a calendar year, you’ll receive a 10,000-mile award flight discount.

To use your award flight discount, at least one segment of your itinerary must be on a United- or United Express-operated flight and your reservation must be made prior to the expiration date of the credit (12 months from the date of issuance).

This credit can’t be combined with other types of credits or miles and cash copay payments.

If you can naturally reach the $20,000 spending requirement, this perk can save you at least $100 worth of miles (if not more).

Priority Boarding

Every co-branded airline credit card worth its salt offers complimentary priority boarding to its cardholders and the United Explorer Card is no exception.

You’ll enjoy complimentary priority boarding on United- and United Express-operated flights that extends to all other travelers on your reservation.

In-flight Purchase Discounts

When you use your United Explorer Card to cover in-flight purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United- and United Express-operated flights, and on premium drinks at United Clubs, you’ll receive a 25% discount given as a statement credit.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

The United Explorer Card comes with zero foreign transaction fees.

That means you can continue to spend and earn miles abroad without worrying about paying extra fees.

Two Annual United Club Entry Passes

United Explorer Card holders receive two complimentary one-time entry passes to United Clubs every account anniversary year.

These can be used for yourself, your authorized users or any guests accompanying you.

The standard rate for a United Club one-time entry pass costs $59, so this perk alone offers $118 worth of value, helping to offset the card’s annual fee.

Complimentary Premier Upgrades

If you have MileagePlus Premier status and are traveling on an award ticket, you’ll be eligible for complimentary premier upgrades on select United- and United Express-operated flights.

These upgrades are subject to availability, and up to one companion who is traveling on the same reservation as you can also qualify for an upgrade.

This is a neat benefit that can come in handy for frequent flyers with United.

Bonus Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs)

United Explorer Card holders will earn 1X PQP for every $20 spent, up to a maximum of 1,000 PQPs toward Premier status qualification per calendar year.

This perk rewards your spending further and could be the difference between reaching the next level of Premier status or missing out on it.

Travel Insurance Perks

In addition to strong point multipliers, more than $500 worth of statement credit perks and a bunch of benefits when flying United, the Explorer Card also offers robust travel insurance perks that increase its value proposition.

Rental car insurance

When you decline the rental car company’s collision damage insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your United Explorer Card, you’ll be covered by the card’s own rental insurance.

Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement of up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for the majority of rental vehicles with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $125,000 or less.

If you often rent a car, this perk could offer significant savings.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

United Explorer Card holders can be reimbursed by up to $1,500 per covered traveler and up to $6,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable passenger fares.

To qualify, you’ll need to have charged these fares to your United Explorer Card and your trip needs to have been canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather or another covered situation.

The Explorer Card could end up reimbursing you for thousands of dollars when worst comes to worst.

Baggage Delay Insurance

If you’ve been waiting at the baggage conveyor belt for hours with no luck, the Explorer Card has your back.

You can receive baggage delay insurance reimbursement of up to $100 per day for three days for essential item purchases when common carrier delays exceed six hours.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

When a delayed bag turns into a lost bag, the United Explorer Card will reimburse you up to $3,000 per passenger (for New York residents, coverage is limited to $2,000 per bag and $10,000 for all covered travelers per trip).

Keep in mind that a sub-limit up to $500 for jewelry and watches and a second sub-limit up to $500 for cameras and other electronic equipment applies per covered person per trip.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

If your trip is delayed by more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family can receive trip delay reimbursement of up to $500 per ticket.

You’ll be reimbursed for all reasonable additional expenses incurred during a covered trip delay, including meals, lodging, toiletries and medication.

This benefit can cover you where the airline doesn’t, saving you extra out-of-pocket costs.

Other Cards to Consider

United Explorer Card packs a punch for a mid-tier annual fee of $150. However, just because you fly with United once or twice per year, doesn’t mean that the Explorer Card is the best fit for you.

First, you need to consider whether you’re in the market for a co-branded credit card or if you’d get more value from a general travel rewards card. Put simply, if you care most about the cost of the airfare and don’t pledge loyalty to a specific airline, you’ll almost always be better off holding a general travel rewards credit card.

For example, our favorite beginner card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, offers the ability to transfer your points to three hotels and 11 different airline loyalty programs, including United Airlines. This allows you to search for the lowest award rates instead of being stuck with a single airline. Not to mention, its annual fee is lower than the Explorer Card, coming in at $95 per year.

However, if you do fly frequently with a specific airline and you want specific perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding and flight credits, then you could find value in a co-branded airline credit card.

If you fly with United the most, then you’ve already started your search in the right place. But if you fly almost equally as often with Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines or JetBlue Airways, then you’ll also want to consider their co-branded credit cards and work out which one offers the best perks for you.

For reference, here’s a list of other co-branded airline credit cards that are in the same annual fee range as the United Explorer Card:

• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® ($99 annual fee)
• Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card ($95 annual fee)
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® ($0 annual fee in the first year, then $99 thereafter)
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card ($0 annual fee in the first year, then $150 thereafter (see rates and fees))
• JetBlue Plus Card ($99 annual fee)
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card ($149 annual fee)

For instance, if you’re based on the West Coast and fly frequently with Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card could be a better alternative to the United Explorer Card. You can get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 with your card, plus a free checked bag for you and up to six guests on the same reservation.

Alternatively, if you fly with Southwest as much as you fly with United, you might be better off applying for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card and using it as part of a Southwest Companion Pass strategy.

These are just a few examples demonstrating how you need to approach card selection. Consider which airline you fly the most with, the annual fee you’re willing to pay and the value of the perks offered by each card.

Would a Different United Credit Card Make More Sense?

United Explorer Card isn’t the only option for frequent United flyers.

In partnership with Chase, United offers the following credit cards:

• United Gateway℠ Card ($0 annual fee)
• United Quest℠ Card ($350 annual fee)
• United Club℠ Card ($695 annual fee)
• United℠ Business Card ($150 annual fee)
• United Club℠ Business Card ($695 annual fee)

If you want to earn United miles without paying an annual fee, the United Gateway℠ Card is the way to go. Plus, if you charge $10,000 to your card within a calendar year, you’ll receive two free checked bag certificates and access to expanded award availability. However, if you fly enough with United to justify holding a co-branded card in the first place, then you’ll be better off going for a card with a greater range of perks.

Alternatively, the United Quest Card offers a step up from the Explorer Card, with a $350 annual fee to match. You’ll enjoy premium perks including more than $700 worth of annual credits, free first and second checked bags—offering savings of up to $360 per round trip—and the opportunity to receive two global Economy Plus seat upgrades after charging $40,000 to your card within a calendar year.

Likewise, you’ll earn 1X PQP per $20 spent, up to a maximum of 18,000 PQPs per year, meaning you could spend your way to Premier Platinum status. If you fly often with United and can put a lot of spending on the card, the United Quest offers better bang for your buck than the Explorer Card.

If you fly and spend often enough with United to offset a $695 annual fee, the United Club Card offers the ultimate selection of perks. In addition to more than $600 worth of annual credits and complimentary United Club membership, you’ll receive an annual bonus of 1,500 PQPs and have the ability to earn 1X PQP per $15 spent, up to a maximum of 28,000 PQPs per calendar year. That means you can spend your way to Premier 1K® status.

In every case, you need to calculate how much value you could personally reap from each of United’s cards and work out the degree to which you could offset their annual fees. Think about which perks you’ll be able to maximize and which perks will be trickier to use.

For example, Instacart credits, ride-hailing service credits, United TravelBank cash and JetSuiteX credits can be niche perks that not every type of traveler will be able to maximize. On the other hand, perks such as complimentary United Club membership are only as valuable as you make them—if you visit United Clubs once or twice per year, you’ll struggle to make this perk work for you.

Do the math and see which cards align best with your spending and travel habits.

Final Verdict: Is the United Explorer Card Worth it?

For the semi-frequent United flyer who wants an equal balance of perks, annual credits, point multipliers and annual fees, the United Explorer Card offers exactly that. The card offers significant savings potential with a low- to mid-tier annual fee that should be easy enough for most travelers to offset.

However, if you fly monthly or even weekly with United, you’ll likely reap more value from one of its higher-tier cards that offer a better bang for your buck.

For the latest card recommendations, advice and strategies for maximizing your points, keep up with 10xTravel. And if you want to learn how to travel like a points pro, sign up to our free 10xTravel course today.