Sign-up Bonus, Earning Categories, and Points
On-the-go business owners will enjoy the many sign-up bonuses that come with the United Explorer Business card.
First, earn sign up bonus miles after you spend the required amount in the allotted timeframe. To qualify for the bonus offer, you must be a new cardmember and not have received the bonus for the card in the past 24 months.
Then, get 2 miles for every $1 spent on selected business expenses. This includes purchases at restaurants, gas stations, and office supply stores. You also get 2 miles for every $1 spent on United Airlines tickets.
All other purchases are worth 1 mile per $1 spent.
Remember that as a business owner you get free employee cards, so their purchases count too. Set individual spending limits and earn rewards faster. What a great way to boost your total points!
Bottom Line: Use the United Explorer Business card to earn 2x miles for purchases at United, restaurants, gas stations, and office supply stores, and 1x miles everywhere else.
Extra Bonus Miles and More
You also qualify for a host of other benefits as an airline cardmember, such as priority boarding ahead of non-status members for you and companions on the same reservation. Simply add your MileagePlus number to your reservation.
Airline benefits with the card also include a free first checked bag for you and a companion. This alone is worth up to $100 on round-trip travel.
You also get 2 United Club passes per year, so you’ll be able to enjoy complimentary snack and beverages as well as free Wi-Fi and more.
Bottom Line: The a lower annual fee, and airline benefits make the United Explorer Business card an attractive card for business owners.
International Travel Benefits of the United Business Credit Card
The card offers a couple of pluses for those doing international travel that will serve its holders well!
For instance, there are no foreign transaction fees. Spend $5,000, and you can save $150 just by avoiding these fees.
The card is also chip-enabled, making it easier for merchants to process charges abroad. Don’t forget that you will still get bonus points at gas stations, restaurants, and office supply stores even though you are overseas!
Of course, there are other business cards without foreign transaction fees that may be more appealing. The Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card is one example.
You’ll earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.
Neither of these cards offer any premium travel benefits, however, which are great for longer trips. If you are looking for those, you could try The Business Platinum® Card from American Express.
While there are many benefits to this luxury travel card, the most notable are the $200 airline fee credits, the Global Entry credit, and unlimited airport lounge access across the world in select lounges!
Bottom Line: The United Explorer Business card may not be the ideal card for foreign travelers, but you’ll still earn 2x points without transaction fees. If you travel internationally, compare card options for the best deal.
United MileagePlus Premier Tiers
In addition to earning miles with your card, you can rack up additional miles just for being a United frequent flyer member.
With the United MileagePlus program, you earn award miles based on the amount of dollars you pay for your ticket and your elite status. See the elite status tiers on the table below.
Premier Tier | Fare Pts | Chase United Pts | Total Pts |
Premier Silver (30 PQS and $3,000)* | 7x | 2x | 9x |
Premier Gold (60 PQS and $6,000)* | 8x | 2x | 10x |
Premier Platinum (90 PQS and $9,000)* | 9x | 2x | 11x |
Premier 1K (120 PQS and $120,000)* | 11x | 2x | 13x |
* To qualify for a Premier tier, you must have a certain number of Premier Qualifying Segments (PQS) and meet an annual spending level.
Each tier also includes a ton of benefits including discounts, waivers, and complimentary upgrades.
Bottom Line: Combining Premier tiers with United Explorer Business card miles can make a big difference in earning!