Chase · Visa
United℠ Explorer Card
United flyers — free bags + lounge access
$150 annual fee up to $530/yr in credits if you use them
Why people consider it
- 3x on United.
- 2x on Dining.
- Points transfer to 2 airline and hotel partners.
Elevated welcome offer
Above the recent 50,000 miles offer (about $650)
Current: 70,000 miles
Recent typical offer: 50,000 miles
Current offer is 40% higher than recent typical offers.
Welcome offer: 70,000 miles≈ $910 at our typical valuation
Requirement: Spend $3,000 in 3 months
Tell us what you normally spend and we’ll check it against this requirement. Find a card →
Current offer shown; issuer determines eligibility.
Details: 70,000 bonus miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months, plus 10,000 more for adding an authorized user in the first 3 months; no published end date. The $150 annual fee is waived the first year. Verified on the issuer page and united.com 2026-10-06.
Recommended credit score: 680+
Advertising disclosure: we may earn a commission if you apply through this link. This does not affect your ranking. Full disclosure
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Is this card worth it?
Ongoing value
$664/year
for the sample household ($4,800/month) · points at typical value
First-year value
$1,574 first year
Includes: +$910 welcome offer (70,000 miles at our typical value)
$910 is one-time. $664/year is ongoing.
To earn the bonus: spend $3,000 in 3 months.
Offer verified: Nov 4, 2026
Worth considering if you already want this type of card.
- Full annual fee:
- $150, charged in full — credits count only if you use them
- Major trade-offs:
- Only 3x on United purchases — not great for everyday spend No complimentary United Club membership (just passes)
- Against a no-fee alternative:
- We'd choose the $0-fee option. Citi Double Cash nets as much as United Explorer on this spending, with no fee to earn back. (The sample household; run your own numbers.)
Detailed research
Full reward table and category caps
United purchases (up to 9x total on United flights incl. MileagePlus member earning)
Restaurants & food delivery
Hotels
Point value: ~1.3¢ each
Optional benefits and credits
Credits — if you use them
After $10,000 in calendar-year purchases
Statement credit on JSX flights each anniversary year
$5/month in U.S. rideshare statement credits — enrollment required
One $10 Instacart statement credit each month with an active Instacart+ membership, up to $120 per calendar year — enrollment required
Up to two $50 credits on United Hotels stays per year
Up to two $25 credits on Avis/Budget rentals per year
Perks (not counted in our math)
First standard checked bag free for you and one companion on the same reservation — up to $50 each way per person, up to $200 per round trip
Use before any United flight — $50 value each
Pay the fee with your card — reimbursed every 4 years; shown at its ~$30/yr annualized value
Board in Group 2 on United flights
Automatically refunded as statement credit
Redemption and transfer information
Points transfer to 2 airline and hotel partners — often where the highest redemption values live.
Approval and bonus eligibility caveats
Recommended credit score: 680+ — the issuer decides every application.
Issuer verification source
Rates and fees may vary.See current rates, fees, and terms on Chase's site
Detailed methodology
Net annual value = rewards on a spending profile at typical point value − the full annual fee; credits count only if you tell us you use them; a welcome offer counts once, in year one, only where the profile meets its requirement. Same math as Find a Card. Methodology v2026.09.4.
Editorial review and disclosures
Pros
- + First bag free saves $140+ per round trip for 2 people
- + 2 United Club passes/year ($100 value)
- + Global Entry credit ($120 every 4 years)
- + Miles transfer to Star Alliance partners
Cons
- - Only 3x on United purchases — not great for everyday spend
- - No complimentary United Club membership (just passes)
- - $150 annual fee (waived first year)
Written by Tim · Data verified against issuer terms · Last checked Nov 4, 2026 · Methodology v2026.09.4
Card information is collected independently and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. See our disclosure for details.