21 Valuable Benefits of the United Explorer Card [Over $2,800 in Value]

For those who fly with United Airlines regularly or even a few times per year, the United℠ Explorer Card has benefits that can save you money and improve your travel experience.

These benefits extend beyond earning points and into different protections that ensure you’re reimbursed for complications you might face during your travels.

This co-branded credit card is provided by Chase and falls under the Chase 5/24 rule, so keep that in mind when you are making your credit card decisions.

Let’s dive in and look at the many benefits of the United Explorer card.

United MileagePlus Benefits

United Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, so there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself flying with them at some point. You might as well make the experience enjoyable!

1. Welcome Bonus ($600 or More)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

United℠ Explorer 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.

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

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United℠ Explorer Card

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

60,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$720

Annual Fee

$150

APR

20.24% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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.

You should consider the United℠ Explorer Card, because this card does all that and more!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x total miles per $1 on hotel stays through United Hotels
• 2x miles per $1 on United purchases, dining purchases (including delivery services), and hotel stays
• 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150
• Does not earn transferable rewards

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus miles
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
• 2x miles on United^® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
• Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
• Priority boarding on United^® flights
• 2 United Club one-time passes per year - over a $100 value
• Over $500 in partner credits each year
• Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS fee credit
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

United MileagePlus Frequent Flyer Program

We value United miles at 1.2 cents per mile, so the welcome bonus for the United Explorer card would be worth $720.

2. 2x Miles With United Airlines ($150)

Unfortunately, United Airlines now awards MileagePlus miles for flights based on how much you spend on the flight in conjunction with your elite status.

Here’s a breakdown of how miles are earned for flying with United:

With the United Explorer card, you can earn another 2 miles per $1 whenever you book a flight with United Airlines. We value this benefit at $150, assuming you purchase $5,000 worth of airfare per year.

As a general member of MileagePlus, you earn 7 miles per $1 on all flights purchased with United Airlines. If you’re a Premier 1K member, you earn 13 miles per $1 when you book your flights with United.

Hot Tip: Check out the best ways to earn tons of United miles, and you’ll be booking amazing trips before you know it!

With all the miles you earn, you can redeem your United miles for amazing flights, such as Lufthansa first class, one of the most luxurious in-flight experiences (complete with Champagne and caviar!).

3. 2x Miles at Hotels and Restaurants ($400)

The United Explorer card earns 2 miles per $1 at hotels and restaurants. We value this benefit at approximately $400, assuming you spend around $1,000 per month on combined purchases at hotels and restaurants.

4. 10,000-Mile Award Flight Discount ($120)

When you spend $20,000 on the card in a calendar year, you earn an award flight discount of 10,000 miles. Based on our 1.2 cent-per-mile valuation, this benefit is worth $120.

5. United Travel Credit ($100)

After spending $10,000 on purchases in a calendar year, you earn $100 in United TravelBank cash, which you can use toward a future flight on United or United Express.

6. Access Extra MileagePlus Award Space ($200)

Once you earn enough United miles, you’ll be ready to hunt for some award space to book flights for your next vacation.

If you are looking for an economy class award, holding the United Explorer card gives you a big advantage, as you have access to extra economy class award space.

Cardholders can also access standard-level awards whenever a seat is available on a flight. Typically, this perk is only available to those who have earned elite status. While this is a very poor use of points and you should always look for saver-level awards, the ability to book an award seat at any time can be very useful in a pinch.

We value this at $200, assuming you can save around 13,000 miles annually by accessing extra saver-level award space.

7. Free Checked Bag With United Airlines ($100)

As a cardholder, you can save tons of money on your flights with United Airlines with the free checked bag benefit. If you purchase your flight on United with the United Explorer card, you and 1 companion on your itinerary each receive a free checked bag.

Unlike other airline co-branded credit cards, you must use the United Explorer card to pay for the flight if you want to be eligible for your free checked bag.

We value this at $100, assuming you take 1 checked bag on a round-trip flight every year.

8. 2 United Club Passes per Year ($118)

Airports can be hectic places, especially during busy travel seasons, but a reprieve in an airport lounge can turn a normally stressful experience into a relaxing one.

Once approved for the United Explorer card, you receive 2 single-use United Club passes. You continue to receive 2 passes every year you keep the card. You can use a pass for a guest, but you or an authorized user on your account must be present with them.

We peg these to around $118 because each United Club pass costs $59.

9. Get Priority Boarding ($50)

Flights are often very full these days, and the situation on United Airlines is no different. With the United Explorer card, you receive priority boarding access to help ensure overhead space for your carry-on bag. This benefit can be particularly useful if you have a tight connection or obligations shortly after arrival, such as a meeting.

We estimate the value of priority boarding to be around $50, though your time (and sanity) might be more valuable than that.

10. 25% Back on Inflight Purchases ($25)

Get 25% back on United inflight Wi-Fi, food, and drinks.

Everybody’s travel habits are different, but if we assume you spend $100 on inflight purchases annually, getting 25% off means getting back $25 per year.

11. Elite Status Spend Waiver ($100)

United credit cardholders can earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) through their annual credit card spending and can apply this earned PQP toward Premier 1K status.

The United Explorer card earns 1 PQP for every $20 spent, up to 1,000 PQPs in a calendar year.

Hot Tip: Other Chase United credit cards have varying PQP-earning capabilities — visit United’s MileagePlus cardmember update page for more details and terms and conditions.

With Premier 1K elite status, you have access to Star Alliance business class lounges as a Star Alliance Gold member when you travel abroad, even when flying in economy class. This can be particularly nice before a long flight or when connecting abroad.

If you depart from the U.S. on a trip to Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, etc., you have access to United Clubs and won’t have to use one of your 2 complimentary United Club passes.

The value of this benefit is super subjective — it could be a game changer if you’re on the cusp of getting top-tier elite status. It could also be insignificant if you’ve already qualified for your elite status goal. We estimate this benefit to be worth $100 per year.

12. Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS Application Fee Credit ($120)

You receive an application fee credit of up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS enrollment or renewal every 4 years.

Travel Savings on Non-United Purchases

The United Explorer card has great benefits when flying on United. Plus, it has multiple credits cardholders can earn from other travel expenses — even when taking a flight isn’t involved.

13. United Hotels Credits ($100)

For your first and second prepaid hotel stay purchased directly with United Hotels, you receive $50 back as a statement credit, up to $100 each anniversary year.

14. Ride-Sharing Credits ($60)

Enroll and use your card to receive up to $5 back as a monthly statement credit for ride-sharing purchases, up to $60 each calendar year. You must opt in yearly to receive this benefit.

15. Avis or Budget Credits ($50)

Book a car rental with Avis or Budget via cars.united.com with your card, and on your first and second rental, receive $25 of United TravelBank cash, up to $50 each anniversary year.

16. JSX Credits ($100)

When you use your United Explorer card to book semiprivate flights directly with JSX, you get up to $100 back as a statement credit each anniversary year.

Curious about JSX? Read our guide to learn more.

17. Instacart+ Membership and Monthly Credits ($175)

This benefit could be an at-home or travel perk, since you can order from Instacart anywhere it is available and have your items delivered to your home, a hotel, an Airbnb, or another rental.

The United Explorer card offers a 3-month complimentary Instacart+ membership worth nearly $30 and a 25% discount off the annual rate of $99 after the complimentary period ends, saving you nearly $25. You also receive a $10 Instacart credit monthly, up to $120 annually. Service fees and terms apply for both benefits. Benefits end December 31, 2027.

Altogether, we find the value of this benefit to be around $175.

Travel Protections

The United Explorer card doesn’t just help you earn and redeem United miles. It can even help when your flights don’t go as planned. Let’s discuss a few of this card’s benefits that can protect you if things go wrong.

18. Trip Delay Insurance ($100)

As frustrating as it can be, flights get delayed sometimes. With the United Explorer card, you are entitled to trip delay insurance if your flight is delayed by 12 hours or overnight.

When you book your flights with this card, you are entitled to reimbursement of up to $500 per covered traveler in reasonable expenses, including hotel accommodations, ground transportation to and from the airport, and meals.

Ensure you request and receive documentation from the airline to submit your claim and get reimbursed.

If your travel is prone to weather delays (such as in the Midwest or Northeast), you get much more value from this benefit. We estimate its value to be around $100.

19. Baggage Delay Insurance ($100)

Another frustration travelers occasionally face is checked bag delays. If you booked your flight with the United Explorer card and your bags are delayed by at least 6 hours, you are entitled to reimbursement.

This benefit covers essential items such as toiletries, clothing, and even a cell phone charging cable. Chase reimburses you up to $100 each day the bag doesn’t arrive (up to $500).

Although the maximum reimbursement amount is $500 per trip, we assume a conservative value of $100.

20. Lost Luggage Coverage ($50)

Taking things a step further, in the unfortunate event that your bags are not just delayed but lost, Chase also covers you. Whether it’s a checked bag or a carry-on bag, each passenger is eligible for up to $3,000 in reimbursement.

Even though losing your luggage is a horrible experience and could result in a reimbursement of up to $3,000, we estimate that this benefit has a value of $50.

21. Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance ($50)

If your trip is cut short or canceled because of severe weather, illness, or other covered situations, you could be eligible for up to $6,000 in trip interruption or cancellation insurance.

This coverage includes reimbursement for prepaid, nonrefundable common carrier travel expenses.

While we sincerely hope you don’t need to use this benefit, we assume its value is around $50.

Final Thoughts

It’s clear from the start that the United Explorer card can help you earn more United miles to book award travel. With perks such as increased economy class award space and the elite status spending waiver, it brings much more to the table than just the ability to earn miles.

Holding the United Explorer card ensures you are protected during your travels, so you don’t have to stress about flight delays and problems with your checked carry-on bags.

If you plan on flying with United Airlines even just a few times per year, the United Explorer card can save you a ton of money on checked bag fees, make booking award flights easier, and protect you from unforeseen events during your travels.