United Explorer Card’s Welcome Offer History: 2022 to 2026

If you fly United a few times a year and want an easy way to earn MileagePlus miles while unlocking useful travel perks, the United℠ Explorer Card is often where people start. Positioned as an introductory airline credit card, it delivers practical benefits without the premium annual fee attached to higher-tier products.

Issued by Chase in partnership with United, this card has been part of the United lineup for more than a decade and remains one of the most popular co-branded airline cards.

In this guide, we’ll look at when it makes sense to apply, how the welcome offer has evolved over time, what benefits matter most, and whether this card deserves a long-term place in your wallet.

When To Apply for the United Explorer Card

At its core, the United Explorer card is an introductory airline rewards credit card built for casual-to-moderate United flyers. It comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 annual fee.

Instead of earning flexible points that can transfer to multiple airline and hotel partners, this card earns United MileagePlus miles directly. That means your rewards are tied to United’s MileagePlus program, which works well if you fly United regularly but offers less versatility than transferable currencies such as Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Travelers tend to like this card because it delivers meaningful, easy-to-understand perks. Getting your first checked bag free can quickly offset the annual fee on just a couple of round-trip flights, especially if you travel with family or often carry luggage. Priority boarding improves the airport experience, and expanded award availability for cardholders can make redeeming miles easier.

The card’s annual fee is modest compared with premium airline cards, and it’s often waived for the first year, making it accessible to new applicants.

The United Explorer card was launched in the early 2010s following the merger of United and Continental’s loyalty programs, and it has evolved in terms of benefits and welcome offers over time. Yet the core value — affordable travel perks paired with an attainable welcome offer — remains consistent.

Currently, the United Explorer card offers the following public welcome bonus:

• Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months of opening an account, plus $0 annual fee for the first year.

Here’s how that compares with the card’s past publicly available offers:

* Valuations are based on our monthly points valuations and are not provided by the issuer.

Looking at the broader timeline, the United Explorer card’s welcome offers have followed a fairly predictable cycle. In the early 2020s, offers commonly ranged from 40,000 to 60,000 miles, often with conservative spending requirements. Over time, 60,000-mile offers became more frequent, gradually replacing 40,000-mile offers as the new baseline.

More recently, 70,000-mile offers have become prevalent, representing the high end of the card’s public promotions. While not permanent, these elevated bonuses tend to return periodically, particularly during competitive travel seasons or promotional pushes. These 70,000-mile offers sit at the top of the historical spectrum for this card, suggesting this level has become the card’s headline public offer.

LIMITED-TIME OFFER

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 70,000 United MileagePlus^® bonus miles after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months of opening an account, plus $0 annual fee for the first year.

50,000 70,000 bonus miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$840

Annual Fee

$150

APR

19.74% - 28.24% 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 70,000 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: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

United MileagePlus Frequent Flyer Program

Historically, a typical public offer has landed between 50,000 and 60,000 miles. If you’re seeing a 40,000-mile promotion, history suggests it may be worth waiting, as higher-tier offers tend to recur.

United Explorer Card Benefits

The United Explorer card is an introductory airline credit card with a few strong perks that can meaningfully improve your travel experience.

Cardholder benefits include:

• Earn 2x miles on United purchases
• Earn 2x miles at restaurants and on hotel stays booked directly
• Earn 1x miles on other purchases
• First checked bag free for the primary cardholder and a companion on United flights
• Priority boarding on United flights
• Receive 2 United Club lounge one-time passes each year
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• Expanded award availability for cardholders

The free checked bag benefit is often the biggest value driver. For travelers who check luggage even a few times per year, the savings can easily outweigh the annual fee. United Club passes add occasional lounge access without the cost of a premium card, which is especially useful on long layovers, and expanded award availability can help you redeem United MileagePlus miles at better value.

Final Thoughts

The United Explorer card continues to offer a compelling mix of affordable perks and MileagePlus miles. Its welcome offer history shows gradual increases over time, with 70,000-mile promotions representing the highest offers in recent years.

While earlier offers commonly ranged between 40,000 and 60,000 miles, today’s 70,000-mile offer sits at the top of that range. Still, timing matters, as elevated offers tend to rotate.

As always, the welcome offer should be only one part of your decision. The best credit card is one that matches your preferred airline, how often you fly it, and whether you’ll consistently use the ongoing benefits.

For occasional United flyers who want free checked bags, priority boarding, and a reasonable annual fee, the United Explorer card remains a strong long-term option.