United Explorer Card
Earn premium miles on United flights with valuable travel perks and club access
Earn 9x total miles on eligible United flights (6x as a MileagePlus member plus 3x with the card), 3x on other eligible United purchases, and 2x on dining and hotels booked directly. Unlock over $500 in annual partner credits including a $100 United travel credit, $100 in United Hotels credits, and 2 United Club one-time passes. Get free checked bags, priority boarding, and premium travel protections—all designed for frequent United travelers.
- Annual Fee
- $150
- Welcome Bonus
- Up to 80,000 miles
- Highest rate (conditional)
- Up to 3X (United)
Terms checked against the issuer on October 10, 2026
At a Glance
- Annual Fee
- $150
- Authorized User Fee
- $0
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- $0
- Network
- Visa Signature
- Rewards Currency
- United MileagePlus
- Point Valuation
- 1.2–1.2 cpp (mid: 1.2)
- Credit Required
- Good to Excellent
Welcome Offer
Up to 80,000 miles
- 70,000 miles after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
- + 10,000 miles after adding an authorized user in the first 3 months
The total needs every stage above. Meet only the first and you earn 70,000 miles.
New cardholders receive 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of opening the account. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user. Combined with the card's strong earning rates and generous travel perks, new cardholders can quickly accumulate significant rewards toward their next United trip.
Earning Rates
- 3X
United
3x miles on United purchases
- 3X
United
3 miles per $1 spent on purchases from United, including tickets, Economy Plus®, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges
- 2X
Dining
2x miles on dining purchases
- 2X
Hotels
2x miles on hotel stays booked directly with hotels
- 1X
All Other
1X miles on all purchases
Earning Scenarios
9X Total Miles on Eligible United Flights
Earn 9X total miles on eligible United flights: 6X on the primary cardmember's fare as a MileagePlus member, plus 3X on the entire United purchase with the card. Mileage earning differs for Basic Economy or base option tickets, and Premier members earn even more.
Book a $1,500 United flight: earn 13,500 miles
3X Miles on Other United Purchases
Earn 3X miles on all other eligible United purchases, including seat upgrades, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and baggage fees.
Spend $500/year on United seat upgrades and fees: earn 1,500 miles
2X Miles on Dining
Earn 2X miles at restaurants, bars, cafes, and food delivery services globally. Strong earnings on meals whether dining out or using delivery services.
Spend $1,200 monthly on dining: earn 2,400 miles/month (28,800 annually)
2X Miles on Hotel Stays
Earn 2X miles on hotel accommodations purchased directly with the hotel.
Book $3,000 in hotel stays annually: earn 6,000 miles
1X Miles on Everything Else
Earn 1X mile on all other purchases not in bonus categories. No caps or restrictions—earn consistently on everyday spending outside of travel and dining.
Spend $2,000/month on non-bonus categories: earn 2,000 miles/month (24,000 annually)
Benefits & Perks
Travel Benefits
4 perksGeneral Travel
Annual Credits & Statement Credits
9 creditsUp to
$530
in recurring credits (annual)
3 credits listed below have no stated dollar amount and are not counted in this total.
$100 JSX flights
Get up to $100 back as a statement credit each anniversary year when you book flights directly with JSX using your United Explorer Card. JSX is a
$100
Annual
$100 United Hotels
Receive $50 back as a statement credit on both your 1st and 2nd prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through United® Hotels with your United
$100
Annual
$100 United travel
Earn $100 in United® TravelBank cash after you spend $10,000 on purchases each calendar year with your United Explorer Card. You can use United®
$100
Annual
$10/mo Instacart+
Receive a $10 Instacart credit monthly, up to $120 total each calendar year, for purchases made directly through Instacart with your United Explorer
$10
Monthly
$50 Avis/Budget travel
Receive $25 in United® TravelBank cash, up to $50 each anniversary year, for your 1st and 2nd Avis or Budget car rental booked directly through
$50
Annual
3-mo Instacart+
Get complimentary Instacart+ Membership for three months, including unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on eligible orders. After that, you're
—
Annual
Show all 9 creditsShow fewer credits
$120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS
Get reimbursed for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fees with automatic statement credits every 4 years
—
Annual
25% United inflight
Get 25% back as automatic statement credit on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi aboard United flights plus premium drinks at United Clubs.
—
Annual
$5/mo rideshare credit
Enroll to get up to $5 back each month on rideshare purchases, up to $60 a calendar year
$5
Monthly
Lounge Access
2 United Club one-time passes annually
Get 2 United Club passes each year for lounge access with complimentary beverages, snacks, and Wi-Fi. Over $100 annual value.
Elite Status & Memberships
Fast track to top-tier perks
Earn up to 1,000 PQP from card spend toward Premier status
Earn 1 PQP for every $20 spent, up to 1,000 PQP annually, to help reach United Premier status tiers.
United Card Events from Chase and United MileagePlus Events
Pursue more of your passions with United Card Events from Chase. As a Cardmember, you will be delighted with opportunities to purchase private,
Insurance & Protections
7 protectionsPurchase protection up to $10,000 per item for 120 days
Get coverage for new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days after purchase, up to $10,000 per item.
Rental car insurance up to $60,000 coverage
Skip rental counter insurance with collision coverage up to 31 days. Primary coverage in the US and abroad.
Lost luggage coverage up to $3,000 per person
Get reimbursed up to $3,000 per person for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during covered trips.
Baggage delay coverage up to $100/day for 3 days
Get reimbursed up to $100 daily for essential purchases when checked baggage is delayed over 6 hours.
Trip cancellation coverage up to $6,000 per trip
Get reimbursed up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for non-refundable travel expenses when trips are canceled for covered reasons.
Show all 7 protectionsShow fewer protections
Trip delay coverage up to $500 per person after 12 hours
Get reimbursed for meals, hotel, and essentials when your common carrier travel is delayed 12+ hours or requires overnight stay.
Extended warranty adds 1 year to manufacturer warranty
Extends manufacturer's U.S. warranty by 1 year on eligible warranties of 3 years or less.
Dining Out
2x at restaurants
MileagePlus
≈$2.40 in value on a $100 dinner, at our valuation of 1.2¢ per point
Annual fee: $150
Explore 5,512 New York restaurants with this cardStack a dining program
Rakuten Dining
5% back at 20,618 participating restaurants, on top of this card's 2x, once you join and link this card.
+$5
cash back, or ≈$5.50 as points
More on a $100 dinner
Program & Transfers
MileagePlus
Your gateway to global Star Alliance travel
United MileagePlus is the loyalty program of United Airlines, serving millions of members with access to the Star Alliance network of 26 member airlines. As North America's largest Star Alliance carrier, United provides seamless earning and redemption opportunities across partners including Lufthansa, ANA, Singapore Airlines, and Air Canada. The program uses a revenue-based earning model for United flights while offering fixed-rate awards on partner airlines. United operates extensive domestic and international networks with major hubs in Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Denver, Newark, and Washington Dulles. MileagePlus members earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) toward elite status, with benefits including complimentary upgrades, bonus earnings, and fee waivers. The program is recognized for excellent award availability, particularly in premium cabins on long-haul international routes. United partners with Chase for co-branded credit cards offering elevated earning rates, free checked bags, and priority boarding. Premium cards grant club lounge access and expanded award availability, making them valuable for frequent United flyers.
Program Ratings
Recent Changes & News
Starting February 2026, all Premier members are eligible for complimentary upgrades on award tickets, not just revenue tickets.
United announced PlusPoints upgrade costs will become demand-based starting February 2027, moving away from fixed costs per segment.
United removed all change and cancellation fees for MileagePlus award tickets, making speculative bookings risk-free.
MileagePlus now allows up to 5 members to pool miles in a shared account, though pooled miles can only be used on United flights, not partners.
Sweet Spots — Best Redemptions
| Route / Property | Points | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe on Star Alliance | 8,000 | economy | Europe |
| US to Hawaii in Economy | 17,200 | economy | United States |
| US to South America in Economy | 20,000 | economy | South America |
| US to Europe in Economy | 26,700 | economy | Europe |
| US to Southeast Asia in Economy | 39,200 | economy | Asia |
| US to South America in Business | 60,500 | business | South America |
| US to Europe in Business | 80,000 | business | Europe |
| US to Africa in Business (Partner) | 88,000 | business | Africa |
| Short-Haul US Domestic Economy | 5,000 | economy | United States |
| US to Mexico in Economy | 10,000 | economy | Central America |
| US Transcontinental Business/First | 30,000 | business | United States |
| US to Asia in Polaris Business | 100,000 | business | Asia |
Reviews & Analysis
Third-Party Rankings & Ratings
3 sourcesCategory Rankings (5 categories)
How It Compares
The United Explorer Card suits frequent United travelers with 9X total miles on eligible United flights, a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 2 United Club one-time passes a year. Over $500 in annual partner credits (United travel, United Hotels, rideshare, Instacart, JSX and more) can offset the $150 annual fee, which is $0 for the first year.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- +$0 intro annual fee first year, then $150—reasonable for the benefits
- +Free first checked bag for cardholder and companion saves up to $200 roundtrip
- +3x miles on United, 2x on dining and hotels—solid everyday earning
- +Up to $530+ in annual credits (United travel, hotels, rideshare, Instacart, JSX)
- +2 United Club one-time passes per year worth $100+
- +Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years ($120 value)
- +25% back on inflight purchases including Wi-Fi and premium drinks
Cons
- -Only 1x miles on non-category spend limits earning potential
- -Best credits require hitting $10K-$20K spend thresholds
- -No United Club membership—just 2 single-use passes
- -Priority boarding is Group 2, not as early as premium cards
- -Miles locked to United MileagePlus with limited transfer flexibility
Who It's Best For
Best For
- United frequent flyers who want free checked bags without a premium annual fee
- Travelers who fly United 4+ times per year and value priority boarding
- Dining-heavy spenders who can leverage 2x miles on restaurants
- Status seekers earning PQPs toward United Premier status via card spend
- Occasional United Club visitors who can use the 2 annual lounge passes
Not Ideal For
- Travelers who rarely fly United (better off with a flexible rewards card)
- Road warriors who need United Club membership (upgrade to Club Infinite)
- International travelers who want more premium travel credits and benefits
- Light spenders unlikely to hit $10K or $20K annual thresholds for bonus credits
The Math: Is $150 Worth It?
First-year value includes $840 welcome bonus (first stage)
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$318
Annual Fee
-$150
Net Annual Value
+$168
Details & Terms
Application Rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| 24 from Bonus | If you've received a bonus from this card within the last 24 month, you are not eligible for another bonus. |
| 5/24 | Chase applications will be declined if 5 new cards have been added to your personal credit report in the past 24 months. |
| Chase 2/30 | You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days |
| Chase 4/6 | Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months |
Payment Terms
| Purchase APR | 19.99%–28.49% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 28.74% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $0 |
FAQs
Do MileagePlus members get free bags?
You don’t get free bags just by being a MileagePlus member. You need United status or a credit card that includes free checked bags. Five of the six United cards offer at least one free bag, and all status tiers include the same perk. Premium cabin tickets also include at least two free bags.
How many MileagePlus miles do you need for a free flight?
You can find short-haul domestic flights for as low as 6300 miles one-way in the off-peak season. Since United uses dynamic pricing, award costs vary widely based on when you fly. Flights from the U.S. to Europe can occasionally be found for as little as 26,000 miles one-way.
Is a United Club subscription worth it?
A United Club membership costs $750, or 94,000 miles, so value depends on how often you fly United. Some United cards include passes, and the [United Club Business](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/united-club-card-business) card offers full membership. United Premier Gold members and higher also receive United Club access when traveling internationally.
How to earn United miles quickly?
The fastest way to earn United miles is to open a co-branded United credit card and meet the welcome offer requirement. The [United Club](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/united-club-infinite-card) and [United Club Business](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/united-club-card-business) cards both offer 80,000-mile bonuses, and we've seen offers reach 100,000. Other United cards offer bonuses up to 60,000 miles.
Do United miles expire?
No, United MileagePlus miles no longer expire. Your miles will remain in your account indefinitely, regardless of account activity. This is a major advantage over some competing programs.
Can you pool United miles with family members?
Yes, MileagePlus offers mileage pooling where up to five members can combine their miles into a shared pool. The pool leader must be at least 18 years old. However, pooled miles can only be used for award flights on United, not on partner airlines. Once contributed, miles cannot be withdrawn after 24 hours.
Media & Resources
Video Reviews
8 videosGood, Bad, & Ugly: The 'New' United Explorer Card
BIG CHANGES: United Explorer Card (Full Guide)
Is the NEW United Explorer Card Worth the $150 Annual Fee?
Is the United Explorer Card still Great?
United Explorer Card (Overview Guide)
You Should Probably Have a United Explorer Card
Chase United Explorer Credit Card Review
Third-Party Articles & Reviews
United Explorer: Richer Rewards, Perks You'll Actually Use
21 Valuable Benefits of the United Explorer Card [Over $2,800 in Value]
How I Get $625+ in Annual Value From My United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card review: Full details
United Explorer Card Review: Rich Benefits & 70K Bonus Miles - One Mile at a Time
United Explorer Card Review [2026]
Why to upgrade from the United Explorer to the United Quest
United℠ Explorer Card Reviews: Is It Worth It? (2026)
United Explorer Card Review | Bankrate
Card Design
Evidence Sources
| Source | Verified | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Official | Chase Official: Multiple card facts | |
| Chase | — | Chase |
| Chase | — | Chase |
| NerdWallet | — | NerdWallet |
| RewardsCC API | — | RewardsCC API |
| Chase | Chase: Apr |
Top brands for this card
Brands where this card's earn-rate structure makes it a strong choice. Open a brand for the full ranked list.
Partner credits at
Merchants this card gives you a statement credit or membership at. Unlike the brands above, this isn't about earn rate — it's money the card hands back when you spend there.
