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United℠ Explorer Card

Credit needed
Excellent, Good
APR
16.49% to 23.49%
Annual Fee
$0 First year, $95

Card Summary

United Airlines frequent flyers will love the United Explorer Card, a co-branded airline credit card.

You earn 2 miles for every dollar you spend on United Airlines purchases, dining out and at hotels. Other purchases earn one mile for every dollar.

After you have spent $3,000 in your first three months of account opening, the United Explorer Card will give you 60,000 bonus miles.

The first year's annual fee is $0, and then it increases to $95.

Priority boarding is available to cardholders. The first year's fee is $0, then it goes up to $95.

Card Summary - Cons

Rates and fees

Issuer Name
Chase
Penalty APR
Maximum 29.99%
Credit Needed
Excellent, Good
Balance Transfer Fee
The transfer amount must be either $5 or 5%, depending on which is higher.
Annual Fee
$0 First year, $95
Cash Advance Fee
You can choose to pay $10 or 5% depending on the transaction amount.
APR
16.49% to 23.49%
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
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The Best Features

Travel benefits: United Airlines cardholders will be able to board first-class flights and receive 25% off in-flight purchase. Two United Club passes will be given to you every year upon your anniversary as a cardholder. United Airlines waives the first checked bag fee for you and your companion.

Get a bonus offer: After you have spent $3,000 in your first three months of opening an account with United Explorer Card, you will receive 60,000 bonus points. You get double miles, which don't expire.

Fly with United and earn 2 Miles per Dollar on your airfare. Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at restaurants or on hotels. As long as you have a credit card account, your miles won't be lost.

Rewards

Sign up bonus

APR Requirements

Drawbacks

Annual fee: For the first year of your United Explorer Card, there is a $0 annual fee. After that it will be $95.

Fee for checked bags: This fee is waived when you use fewer airlines that those with competing cards.

APR: This card does not offer an introductory APR. For balance transfers and purchases, the APR ranges from 16.49% to 23.49%.

Highlights

After you have spent $3,000 in your first three months of opening an account, you will earn 60,000 bonus points.

For the first year there is no introductory fee. After that, $95 per annum.

Spend $1 on food, hotels, or United Purchases to earn 2 miles. Get up to $100 credit for Global Entry and TSA Precheck fees.

Get 25% off your United Inflight Purchases. When you use your card for your ticket purchase, your bag will be yours free of charge (an additional $140 per roundtrip).

Get priority boarding and 2 annual passes to the United Club SM for your anniversary. Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible delivery services.

Benefits

The United Explorer Card offers cardholders benefits for purchases and travel, such as:

Waiver of collisions for auto rental vehicles.
Trip cancellation insurance and trip interruption insurance.
Warranty coverage extended.
Refunds for lost luggage Visa Concierge.

Comparative Analysis with Other Cards

United Explorer Card vs. United Club Infinite Card

Annual Fee: The United Club Infinite Card charges $525 annually. This is more than the United Explorer Card which costs $0 for the first year and then $95.

Reward: United Explorer Card members earn 2 miles for every $1 they spend on food, lodging, or other purchases. The United Club Infinite Card earns 4 miles for every dollar you spend with United Airlines. You'll also get 2 miles per $1 on dining out, travel and delivery service eligible services. All other purchases will be 1 mile per $1.

Sign up bonus: After spending $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of your account opening, you will receive 60,000 bonus miles. After you have spent $5,000 in your first 3 months of account opening, the United Club Infinite Card will give you 100,000 bonus miles.

Benefits: United Explorer Card provides priority boarding and two United Club passes per year. It also offers resort and luxury hotel collection privileges.

United Club Infinite Card includes a United Club Membership, 2 free checked bags per primary cardholder and 1 companion traveler on the same reservation. It also offers purchase protection, return protection insurance, trip interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip cancellation insurance.

United Explorer Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Annual Fee: For the first year of use, there is a $0 annual fee. After that it's $95. Annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is $95.

Reward: United Explorer Card members earn 2 miles for every $1 they spend on food, lodging, or other purchases. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card gives you five points per $1 on Lyft (valid until March 2022), three points for dining out at restaurants, two points for travel and one point on any other purchases.

Sign up bonus: After you have spent $3,000 in your first three months of account opening, the United Explorer Card will award you 60,000 bonus miles. After you have spent $4,000 in your first three months of account opening, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card will give you 60,000 bonus points. Chase Ultimate Rewards will give you $750.

Benefits: The benefits of both cards are similar in terms of travel and purchase coverage, with trip cancellation and interruption insurance as well as waivers for auto rental collision damage and vehicle rentals.

The United Explorer Card offers airline-specific benefits such as priority boarding, two United Club Passes per year and other benefits.

Maximizing Rewards

Annual Fees

Conclusion

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