United℠ Explorer Card
Earn miles on United flights and everyday purchases, enjoy a free first checked bag, United Club passes, priority boarding, and over $500 in annual partner credits.
Annual Fee
$150
Top Earning Rate
9x miles eligible united flights (total miles including base)
Foreign Tx Fee
None
Rating
N/A
Current Welcome Offer
80,000 miles
$1,040 estimated value
Spend $3,000 in 90 days
Card Offers
public
80,000 miles
$1,040 estimated value
Spend $3,000 in 90 days
Earning Rates
9x total miles on eligible United flights
3x miles on all other eligible United purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Annual fee is waived for the first year, reducing the cost of entry.
- Free first checked bag for the cardholder and one companion saves on baggage fees for frequent United flyers.
- Two United Club one-time passes per year provide lounge access without a full club membership.
- Over $500 in annual partner credits can offset the ongoing $150 annual fee many times over.
- No foreign transaction fees makes the card practical for international use.
Cons
- High rewards rates are concentrated on United purchases, limiting value for non-United spending.
- United Club passes do not roll over, so unused passes are forfeited each year.
- Partner credits may require enrollment and have expiration dates, adding complexity for cardholders.
- Priority boarding applies only to United-operated flights, not codeshare partners.
- The $150 annual fee after the first year requires regular United travel to justify.
Key Takeaways
- Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.
- The $150 annual fee is waived the first year, giving new cardmembers a low-cost trial period.
- Free first checked bag covers the cardholder and one companion, but requires the MileagePlus number to be on the reservation.
- Two United Club one-time passes are issued annually and must be used within the year.
- Over $500 in annual partner credits are available but may require individual enrollment to activate.
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee Waived first year | $150 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% |
APR Information
- Purchase APR
- 19.74% - 28.24%
- Balance Transfer APR
- 19.74% - 28.24%
APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.
Card Benefits
4 benefits
Travel Access & Perks
Statement Credits
Coverage Tier Legend
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the welcome bonus on the United Explorer Card?
What is the annual fee for the United Explorer Card?
Does the United Explorer Card charge foreign transaction fees?
Who qualifies for the free first checked bag benefit?
How do the United Club one-time passes work?
What credit score is needed to apply for the United Explorer Card?
What APR does the United Explorer Card carry?
What are the annual partner credits and how do I use them?
Does priority boarding apply to all flights?
What rewards program does the United Explorer Card use?
About This Card
The United Explorer Card is best suited for travelers who fly United Airlines regularly and want to reduce out-of-pocket travel costs through checked bag savings, lounge access, and partner credits. It suits those who want mid-tier airline card benefits without committing to a premium annual fee.
The United℠ Explorer Card is Chase's mid-tier co-branded airline card with United Airlines. New cardmembers can earn up to 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities. Cardholders earn 9x total miles on eligible United flights, 3x miles on all other eligible United purchases, and bonus miles on dining, hotels, and more. Travel benefits include a free first checked bag, two United Club℠ one-time passes per year, priority boarding, and over $500 in annual partner credits. The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150, and no foreign transaction fees.
The United Explorer Card stands out in the mid-tier airline card segment by combining a first-year fee waiver with over $500 in annual partner credits, a free checked bag for two travelers, and two United Club passes, delivering outsized benefit value relative to its $150 ongoing fee.
Ready to Decide?
Apply for the United℠ Explorer Card
80,000 miles, worth about $1,040 estimated value, with a $150 annual fee.
Spend $3,000 in 90 days
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Sources & Methodology
Sources & Methodology
Card details are collected by automated crawlers from official issuer pages, then verified by editorial review.
Last updated:
Pending editorial review.
- 3 of 4 benefits rated high confidence
- 1 of 1 offer verified
Read our full methodology for how we collect, verify, and rate credit cards.
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