The United Explorer Card is Chase’s mid-tier personal United card. It makes the most sense for someone who flies United often enough to use the airline benefits, but does not need airport-lounge membership every time they travel.
Its first checked-bag benefit, priority boarding, and two annual United Club passes can offset the annual fee quickly on a few United trips. The card also earns United MileagePlus miles and includes useful travel protections when you charge a trip to the card.
Card terms and offers change regularly. The welcome offer below is the offer available through our referral link; the remaining product details were checked against Chase’s public terms on August 14, 2026.
Card at a Glance
| Feature | Current details |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Chase |
| Network | Visa |
| Annual fee | $0 for the first year, then $150 USD |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Rewards currency | United MileagePlus miles |
| Welcome offer through our referral link | Up to 80,000 miles: 70,000 miles after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 miles for adding an authorized user in that period |
The card is generally unavailable if you currently hold it, or received a new-cardmember bonus for it within the past 24 months. Welcome offers can vary by application channel, so confirm the terms shown on the application page before submitting your application.
Apply for the United Explorer Card Opens Chase's application page through our referral link.
Earning United Miles
The Explorer Card earns more than the usual 1 mile per dollar in a few useful categories:
| Purchase type | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Eligible United flights | 9x total miles: 6x as a MileagePlus member on the primary cardholder’s fare, plus 3x from the card |
| Other eligible United purchases | 3x miles |
| Hotels booked directly with the hotel | 2x miles |
| Dining, including eligible delivery services | 2x miles |
| All other purchases | 1x mile |
For most people, the card is not a reason to move all everyday spending to United. Its real value is in keeping United travel cheaper and more convenient. A flexible-points card may be a better choice for purchases outside these bonus categories.
United Travel Benefits
Free First Checked Bag and Priority Boarding
The primary cardholder and one companion on the same reservation can each check their first standard bag for free on eligible United-operated flights. Chase says this can save up to $200 per round trip. The cardholder and companions on the same reservation also receive priority boarding before general boarding.
These benefits are most valuable if you regularly travel with a checked bag. Make sure to follow United’s booking and payment requirements; the exact eligibility rules are set out in the card’s benefit terms.
Two United Club Passes Each Year
You receive two United Club one-time passes each year. They are a nice extra for an occasional traveller, though not a substitute for a card with ongoing lounge access.
Savings and Credits for United Flyers
- Award-flight savings: Eligible cardholders can save 10% or more when booking award flights with miles. Premier members may receive a larger discount.
- $10,000-mile award-flight discount: Spend $20,000 on purchases in a calendar year and earn one discount to apply to an eligible United or United Express award flight. The discount expires 12 months after issue and cannot be combined or transferred.
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS: Receive up to $120 USD in statement credits every four years when the application fee is charged to the card.
- Onboard savings: Get 25% back as a statement credit on eligible food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and Club premium drinks purchased on United-operated flights with the card.
Partner Credits That Need Planning
Chase lists more than $500 in potential annual partner credits, but these are only valuable if you would use the services anyway:
- $100 United travel credit after $10,000 in calendar-year spending.
- Up to $100 on prepaid United Hotels stays.
- Up to $60 in rideshare credits each calendar year after enrolment.
- Up to $50 in United travel credits for eligible Avis or Budget rentals booked through United Cars.
- Up to $120 in Instacart credits and up to $100 in JSX flight credits each calendar year.
Treat these as targeted discounts, not cash back. If they do not match your usual travel and shopping habits, they should not be the reason you pay the annual fee.
Travel and Purchase Protection
The Explorer Card has a stronger protection package than many airline cards. Coverage is subject to the Guide to Benefits and its terms, conditions, exclusions, and documentation requirements.
- Primary rental-car coverage: Charge the full rental cost to the card and decline the rental company’s collision insurance. Coverage can reimburse theft and collision damage up to $60,000 for most eligible vehicles.
- Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for up to three days when baggage is delayed more than six hours.
- Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per covered traveller for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen checked or carry-on baggage.
- Trip cancellation and interruption: Up to $1,500 per covered traveller and $6,000 per trip for eligible prepaid, non-refundable passenger fares.
- Trip delay: Up to $500 per covered traveller after a delay of more than 12 hours or an overnight stay.
- Purchase protection and extended warranty: Eligible new purchases can be covered against theft or damage for 120 days, and qualifying U.S. manufacturer warranties of three years or less can be extended by one year.
Is the United Explorer Card Worth It?
The Explorer Card is a good fit if you fly United a few times a year, check bags, and would use priority boarding or the two United Club passes. The first-year annual-fee waiver gives you time to see whether those benefits fit your travel pattern.
After the first year, do the simple math. One round trip with a checked bag for you and a companion can cover much of the $150 annual fee, and Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS reimbursement can add value when you are due to renew. If you rarely fly United or prefer transferable points, a flexible travel card will usually be a better everyday option.
For the current application offer, full benefit terms, and pricing details, see the United Explorer Card page from Chase.
