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

For those who fly with United Airlines regulary or even a few times per year, the United℠ Explorer Card offers benefits that can save money and enhance the travel experience.

These benefits extend beyond earning points to include perks such as a free checked bag, lounge passes, and travel protections. Plus, now more than ever, holding a co-branded United card such as this one can benefit you, as the airline has recently changed its program and cardholders now earn up to twice as many miles as those who don’t hold cards.

If you’re looking to get a United MileagePlus credit or debit card, the United Explorer card offers serious value. Here’s what you need to know.

Hot Tip:

Here’s how United credit cards stack up and more on United’s debit rewards 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 a better value by getting a co-branded card such as the United Explorer card.

1. Welcome Bonus ($600 or More)

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

2. Earn Between 9x and 16x Miles With United Airlines ($100 or More)

United Airlines now awards MileagePlus miles for flights based on how much you spend on the flight in conjunction with your elite status and if you’re holding a co-branded credit card. Cardmembers paying with their United Explorer Card earn more than the average flyer who doesn’t have a card.

Here’s a breakdown of how miles are earned for flying with United (rates for basic economy tickets can differ):

With the United Explorer card, even if you don’t hold elite status, you can earn 9 to 10 miles per $1 spent as long as you pay for the flight with your card. For example, if your flight is $500, you could earn at least 9 miles per $1 spent, which would be 4,500 United miles. We value those at $54. But if you hold Premier 1K status and pay with your card, you’d get around double that.

It’s hard to estimate the value of this because it depends on how frequently you fly and if you hold elite status, but we think you could get at least $100 in value if you purchased a few flights each year.

Hot Tip:

These are the best ways to earn United miles so you can build up a big balance before your next trip.

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 inflight 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 about $1,000 per month on combined hotel and restaurant purchases.

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 and 10% or More off Awards ($200)

Once you earn enough United miles, you’re ready to hunt for 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 and save at least 10%.

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 ($180)

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 $180, assuming you and a companion take 1 checked bag on a round-trip flight annually (this accounts for United’s recent baggage fee increase).

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

Airports can be hectic places, especially during busy travel seasons, but a respite 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 at around $118, since 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.

We estimate the value of priority boarding at around $50, though your time (and sanity) might be worth more.

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 through their annual credit card spending and can apply these earned PQPs toward Premier 1K status.

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

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, or elsewhere, you have access to United Clubs and don’t need to use one of your 2 complimentary United Club passes.

The value of this benefit is 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.

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.

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

Cardholders get 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 offers excellent benefits when you fly United, but it also includes additional credits and perks with other partners.

13. United Hotels Credits ($100)

For your first and second prepaid hotel stays purchased directly with United Hotels, you receive a $50 statement credit and up to $100 every year (dated to your account anniversary).

14. Ride-Hailing Credits ($60)

Enroll and use your card to receive up to $5 in monthly statement credit for ride-hailing purchases, up to $60 per 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 year (dated to your account anniversary).

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 JSX 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, plus a 25% discount on 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 estimate the value of this benefit at 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 benefits of this card that can protect you if things go wrong.

18. Trip Delay Insurance ($100)

As frustrating as it can be, flights get delayed. With the United Explorer card, you’re 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)

Travelers may also occasionally face 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)

In the unfortunate event that your bags are not just delayed but lost, this card 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 this benefit to be worth $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 offers much more than just the ability to earn miles.

Holding the United Explorer card ensures you’re protected during your travels, so you don’t have to worry about flight delays or baggage issues.

If you plan on flying with United Airlines even just a few times per year, the United Explorer card is well worth it, with the ability to offer you nearly $3,000 in value.