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Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in o...
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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
You travel United all the time, but you have heard that there could be ways to make your travel experiences even better, including priority boarding, free bags, and more miles.
Our seasoned and experienced team brings years of expertise in the credit card and travel sectors. Committed to integrity, we offer data-driven guides to help you find the card(s) that best fit your requirements. See details on our intensive editorial policies and card rating methodologies.
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as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect
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Great Card If
United is your favorite or most frequently traveled domestic carrier, along with the rest of the Star Alliance airlines
You want the full range of travel insurances available through your credit card
Don’t Get If
You don’t have a United hub near you or don’t fly much on Star Alliance
You’d rather have more frills for your card benefits
United Explorer Card — Is It Worth It?
The United Explorer card features tons of great benefits that regular United flyers are sure to love.
Not only does the card help you earn more United miles, but it helps you save money on each flight as well by offering benefits like free checked bags and a 25% discount on inflight purchases.
You can also earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 on purchases each calendar year and $100 in United TravelBank cash after you spend $10,000 on purchases each calendar year, which you can use toward a future United or United Express flight.
Further, the card offers solid travel protections, and even offers complimentary upgrades when booking award tickets on United.
Given all of the benefits the card offers, if you are someone who flies fairly often with United, then the United Explorer card would likely be very worth it for you.
United Explorer Card Top Benefits
United Explorer Card Benefits
Here is a glance at all of the best benefits that the card offers to you on your United flights and by holding the card.
Free Checked Bag for You and a Traveling Companion — Save up to $40 value, each way, per person, for a total savings of $160
Priority Boarding— Allows you and your companion to board before general boarding
25% Back on United Inflight Purchases — Includes food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
2 United Club One-Time Passes Each Year — Kick back and relax in a United Club lounge before your flight
10,000-Mile Award Flight Discount — After you spend $20,000 in a calendar year, earn an award flight discount of 10,000 miles
$100 United Travel Credit — Earn $100 in United TravelBank cash that you can use towards a future flight on United or United Express after spending $10,000 on purchases each calendar year
Premier Upgrades on Award Tickets — You and your companion are eligible for a 1-class (space available) upgrade on United award tickets
Earn Premier Qualifying Points — 1 PQP for every $20 you spend on the card, with a limit of 1,000 PQPs each year
Up to $100 in United Hotels Credits — On both your first and second prepaid hotel stay purchased directly through United Hotels, receive $50 back as a statement credit, up to $100 each anniversary year
Up to $60 in Rideshare Credits — Enroll your United Explorer card to receive up to $5 back as a statement credit each month on rideshare purchases when you pay with your card, up to $60 each calendar year (yearly opt-in is required)
Up to $50 Back on Avis or Budget Purchases — Receive up to $50 each anniversary year of United TravelBank cash, $25 for your first and second Avis or Budget car rental booked directly through cars.united.com when you pay with your card
The United Explorer card also offers a complimentary 3-month Instacart+ membership, which includes unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on eligible orders. Plus, you can receive a $10 Instacart credit monthly, up to $120 each calendar year, for purchases made directly with Instacart using your card. After the complimentary membership ends, you are auto-enrolled in Instacart+ with a 25% discount on the annual rate. Service fees and terms apply for both benefits. Benefits end December 31, 2027.
United Explorer Card Protections
Of course, it’s not all about points and perks, so here are the ways your card keeps you covered when things go wrong.
Trip Delay Reimbursement — If your flight is delayed more than 12 hours you are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, for up to $500 per ticket
Baggage Delay Insurance — Provides coverage for essentials like toiletries and clothing if your baggage is delayed by more than 6 hours, for up to $100 a day for 3 days
Lost Luggage Reimbursement — If the airline loses your luggage, you’ll be covered for up to $3,000 per passenger
Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance — Reimbursement of up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for non-refundable expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short by a covered situation
Primary Rental Car Insurance — Coverage that kicks in before your personal auto insurance
Purchase Protection — New purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year
Extended Warranty Protection — Extends the warranty of a purchased item by 1 additional year if the standard warranty is 3 years or less
How To Earn and Redeem United Miles
Once you’ve got a United card to use for your daily purchases, you might also wonder what else you can do to earn more miles. Fortunately, there are quite a few options! We’ve put together a comprehensive guide that breaks down all of the best options to help you earn more United miles.
When you’ve built up a nice balance of United miles, then you get to plan out your next trip! While there is no shortage of ways to redeem your United miles, if you want to get as much value out of them as possible, then read through our guide on the best ways to redeem your United miles.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 bonus points
$1,200
$95
20.49% - 27.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cardson the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.
Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.
Pros & Cons
Pros
5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
Cons
$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
If you want a card that earns transferable rewards for the same annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card would be the card for you.
The card earns 5x points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points per $1 on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, and 2x points per $1 on all other travel purchases. Plus, the points you earn can be transferred at a 1:1 rate to many of the Chase transfer partners — including United.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.
The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.
Earn 90,000 United MileagePlus Miles and 500 PQP after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening an account.
90,000 miles + 500 PQP
$1,080
$350
20.49% - 28.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent
Why We Like This Card
Enter: The New United Quest℠ Card. With it, you can bolster your United MileagePlus miles, thanks to the bonus categories, while enjoying the card’s many perks designed to help save you money on each United flight.
2x miles on all other travel, dining, and select streaming services
1x mile on all other purchases
Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary (terms apply)
Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 each calendar year
Earn 2 global Economy Plus® seat upgrades after spending $40,000 each calendar year
Get a jump start on earning Premier status with 1,000 Card Bonus PQP each year, awarded within 6 to 8 weeks after February 1 each year, starting in 2026.
Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
APR: 20.49% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
If you’re a loyal United flyer, but are looking for a card that offers more perks than the United Explorer card, then the United Quest card would be an excellent option.
For starters, it earns 3x miles per $1 on United purchases instead of 2x with the United Explorer card. Further, the card offers all the benefits that the United Explorer card offers, plus $200 annually in United TravelBank cash, an annual 10,000-mile award flight discount, and a second free checked bag on all United flights.
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