BEST FOR OCCASIONAL UNITED FLYERS
The United Explorer card is the best choice for folks looking to rack up United miles quickly, even if they don’t fly the airline much. (Partner offer)
At a glance
- 2X Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
- 1X 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
At a glance
- 2X Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
- 1X 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
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Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
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$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
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Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
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Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
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25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
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Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
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Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
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Member FDIC
Our Take
TPG Editor's Rating
Overview
This card is geared toward frequent and occasional United flyers and offers plenty of elite-like benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and a discount on in-flight purchases. It also racks up miles at a steady pace on a variety of purchases — including dining and hotels — putting that next award ticket within reach sooner.
Pros
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First checked bag free for the cardholder and a companion
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Priority boarding
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25% off eligible inflight purchases
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Up to $100 credit every four years for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
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No foreign transaction fees
Cons
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Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases
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You might get more use from a transferable points card instead of a cobranded United card
Who is this card good for?
You don’t have to be a frequent United flyer to make the most of this card, especially since the first year’s introductory annual fee is $0 before it goes up to $95. Carrying it means you can enjoy money-saving perks when flying United, including a free checked bag, priority boarding and in-flight discounts on purchases like premium drinks. This adds up to decent savings, especially in your first year of new card membership, when the introductory annual fee is $0.
Earning Rewards
The United Explorer card earns 7 miles per dollar spent on United flights (2 miles per dollar spent on all other United purchases), 4 miles per dollar spent on hotel stays booked through United Hotels and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other hotel stays and dining. It also earns 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.