CardRewardsEditorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.
The United Explorer Card ($150/yr) is better for everyday value, while the The Platinum Card from American Express ($895/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The Platinum Card from American Express | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 5X | 1X |
The United Explorer Card wins in 4 of 5 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.
Flights
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X
Hotels
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
United Purchases
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
Dining
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
United Airlines
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr — that's $745 more than the United Explorer Card ($150/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $745 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $745 gap is significant. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express only if you spend heavily on flights and hotels and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the United Explorer Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing The Platinum Card from American Express means losing:
The United Explorer Card has a lower annual fee ($150 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.
The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
Choose the United Explorer Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The United Explorer Card ($150/yr) is better for everyday value, while the The Platinum Card from American Express ($895/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The Platinum Card from American Express | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 5X | 1X |
The United Explorer Card wins in 4 of 5 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.
Flights
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X
Hotels
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
United Purchases
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
Dining
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
United Airlines
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr — that's $745 more than the United Explorer Card ($150/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $745 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $745 gap is significant. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express only if you spend heavily on flights and hotels and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the United Explorer Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing The Platinum Card from American Express means losing:
The United Explorer Card has a lower annual fee ($150 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.
The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
Choose the United Explorer Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The United Explorer Card ($150/yr) is better for everyday value, while the The Platinum Card from American Express ($895/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | The Platinum Card from American Express | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 5X | 1X |
The United Explorer Card wins in 4 of 5 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.
Flights
The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X
Hotels
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
United Purchases
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
Dining
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
United Airlines
United Explorer Card earns 2X vs 1X
The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr — that's $745 more than the United Explorer Card ($150/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $745 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $745 gap is significant. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express only if you spend heavily on flights and hotels and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the United Explorer Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing The Platinum Card from American Express means losing:
The United Explorer Card has a lower annual fee ($150 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.
The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.
Choose the United Explorer Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
| Dining | 1X | 2X |
| Hotels | 1X | 2X |
| United Airlines | 1X | 2X |
| United Purchases | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the United Explorer Card if you:
| Dining | 1X | 2X |
| Hotels | 1X | 2X |
| United Airlines | 1X | 2X |
| United Purchases | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the United Explorer Card if you:
| Dining | 1X | 2X |
| Hotels | 1X | 2X |
| United Airlines | 1X | 2X |
| United Purchases | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Get the United Explorer Card if you:
