Advertiser Disclosure

United MileagePlus Explorer Card Review: Useful for Frequent Flyers

September 21, 2018

5 min Read

Written by Gabrielle Olya

Edited by Lindsey Kloosterman

©GOBankingRates

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

Update: Some offers mentioned below may have changed or are no longer available. View current credit card offerings from our partners at CardCritics Here or on the issuer’s website.

With the United Explorer Card from Chase, you’ll earn two miles for every $1 spent at restaurants and on hotel accommodations, get 25 percent back on in-flight purchases and receive other United travel benefits, including statement credits for Global Entry or TSA Precheck.

Keep reading our review to find out if this United Airlines credit card is the best travel credit card for you.

United Explorer Card at a Glance
APR	17.74% to 24.74% variable APR
Intro APR	N/A
Annual Fee	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, after that $95
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Rewards	2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants; 2 miles per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly from the hotel; 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases from United, including tickets, Economy Plus, in-flight food, beverages and WiFi; 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Sign-Up Bonus	40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening; 5,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user and make your first purchase within the first 3 months from account opening
Pros	Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck every 4 years; 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and WiFi on United-operated flights
Cons	No intro APR; annual fee after the first year; rewards are only good for United flights
Rates are accurate as of Sept. 5, 2018.

In this review:

What You Need to Know About the United Explorer Card
Best Features of the United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card Travel Benefits
United Explorer Card Travel and Purchase Coverage
Should You Apply for a United Explorer Card?

What You Need to Know About the United Explorer Card

The United Explorer Card can be used to earn reward miles for United flights, and also comes with a variety of travel benefits and protections.

Best for: People who frequently fly with United Airlines.

Best Features of the United Explorer Card

This United MileagePlus Card has no annual fee for the first year, and you have the potential to earn thousands of miles as part of the current sign-up bonus. Other card features include:

Several ways to earn double rewards miles
Travel benefits
United Club passes
No foreign transaction fee
Travel and purchase coverage

Today's Top Offers

For people who often fly with United Airlines, this card can be a beneficial travel rewards card option.

United Explorer Card Travel Benefits

Cardholders of this United credit card will get a number of additional travel benefits that go beyond rewards miles. These benefits include:

25 percent back on United in-flight purchases
Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee credit
First checked bag free
Priority boarding
Redeem miles for award travel on United and Star Alliance partner airlines
Redeem miles for upgrades, in-flight WiFi, hotel stays, car rentals, merchandise, gift cards and events
No blackout dates
Premier upgrades on award tickets
Perks at the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
Inside Access events
United Airlines MileagePlus events
Two United Club one-time passes per year

Read: 7 Best Ways to Use Credit Card Rewards Points

United Explorer Card Travel and Purchase Coverage

Frequent travelers can get peace of mind in knowing that they’re covered for many of the unfortunate incidents that can come with flying, plus cardholders get a number of extra benefits. Here are the United MileagePlus Explorer Card’s built-in benefits:

Auto rental collision damage waiver
Baggage delay insurance of up to $100
Lost luggage reimbursement of up to $3,000 per passenger
Trip delay reimbursement of up to $500
Purchase protection on new purchases for up to $10,000
Extended warranty protection
24-hour Visa Concierge service
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance of up to $1,500

Should You Apply for a United Explorer Card?

The United Explorer Card comes with travel benefits that go beyond reward miles, plus an attractive sign-up bonus offer. However, keep in mind that this MileagePlus card really only benefits people who fly United frequently.

Up Next: United Airlines Credit Card Comparison — Travel Rewards for Business and Personal Spending

More on Credit Cards

This content is not provided by United Airlines. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by United Airlines.

GOBankingRates is a personal finance and consumer interest rate website owned by ConsumerTrack, Inc., an online marketing company serving top-tier banks, credit unions and other financial services organizations. Some companies mentioned in this article might be clients of ConsumerTrack, Inc., which serves more than 100 national, local and online financial institutions. Rankings and roundups are completely objective, and no institution, client or otherwise, paid for inclusion or specific placement. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the companies included in the article. All fees and rates are subject to change at the issuers’ discretion. Some interest rates might be short-term or promotional offers only, and it is possible additional terms and conditions must be met in order to obtain the interest rates listed. Rates and availability might vary by region. Verify terms and conditions before opening an account.

The information related to United Explorer Card was collected by GOBankingRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. GOBankingRates does not receive commission for this product.