United Explorer Card overview
The United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) isn’t your average airline credit card, as it’s packed with premium-like perks that you typically see from credit cards with a high annual fee. This card is a great option for those who don’t fly with United Airlines frequently but want to enjoy premium perks when they fly. You should also consider the Explorer if you don’t want to pay as high an annual fee as those found on United’s more premium cards. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The United Explorer Card has an introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $150 thereafter and offers many benefits.
Aside from the usual airline credit card perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, the United Explorer has a handful of premium-level benefits.
The recommended credit score for the United Explorer is at least 670, but it’s not unheard of to be approved with a lower score.
Here’s what you need to know about the card, its benefits and whether it deserves a spot in your wallet.
United Explorer pros and cons
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United Explorer welcome offer
New applicants for the United Explorer Card can earn up to 80,000 United MileagePlus bonus miles: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user to your account within the first three months of account opening.
TPG’s April 2026 valuations peg United miles at 1.35 cents apiece, making this welcome offer worth $1,080 (including the points from adding an authorized user).
It’s important to note that this card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. Additionally, you won’t be eligible for a welcome bonus if you have received one on this card in the past 24 months.
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Related: The best welcome offers of the month
United Explorer benefits
The United Explorer Card offers a good mix of perks for both frequent and occasional United flyers.
United Club passes
You’ll receive a pair of one-time United Club passes deposited into your United MileagePlus account each cardholder anniversary year. This benefit alone is worth $118 per year, as a day pass at the lounge costs $59 each with a same-day boarding pass.
Note that a friend or family member can only use one of your passes if the primary cardholder or authorized user is also entering the lounge.
TPG credit cards editor Olivia Mittak finds great value in the United Club passes this card provides; as long as she flies with a Star Alliance airline twice a year, she can almost get back the cost of the annual fee in value. United Club passes can be used whenever you’re flying on any Star Alliance airline.
Related: First look: United Airlines debuts massive new club in Denver
Elitelike perks
- First checked bags for free: For the primary cardholder and one travel companion on the same reservation when you book with your card
- Premier Access: Includes priority check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling where available
- Expanded award availability: Access to additional saver award ticket availability
- Inflight discount: 25% back on United inflight purchases, including food, beverages and Wi-Fi. Plus, receive 25% back on premium drink purchases in the United Club.
- Award mileage discount: Ability to earn a 10,000-mile discount on award tickets after spending $20,000 each calendar year with the card
If getting free checked bags and a pair of United Club passes would elevate your travel experience with the airline, this card holds plenty of value.
Statement and travel credits
- Hotel statement credit: Up to $50 back as a statement credit on the first and second prepaid hotel bookings when using the Explorer Card and booking directly through United Hotels
- Ride-hailing credit: Up to $60 for ride-hailing purchases, given as up to $5 monthly credits (activation is required)
- JSX statement credit: Up to $100 in JSX statement credits each anniversary year when booking directly with JSX
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus credit: An application fee credit every four years for up to $120
- Instacart credit: A $10 monthly Instacart credit, plus a three-month complimentary Instacart+ membership (ends Dec. 31, 2027)
- United TravelBank cash: Up to $25 in United TravelBank cash for your first and second Avis and Budget car rentals booked through cars.united.com and paid for with the card
- United travel credit: $100 in United TravelBank cash after spending at least $10,000 on purchases with your card
Elite status shortcuts
United elite status qualification is based on Premier qualifying points and Premier qualifying flights. You’ll earn 1 PQP for every $20 you spend on purchases with your Explorer Card (up to 1,000 PQPs in a calendar year) that can be applied toward your Premier status qualification, up to the Premier 1K level.
Travel and purchase protections
With the United Explorer, you’re getting various travel and purchase protection benefits, including:
DoorDash
For one year, get complimentary DoorDash DashPass to receive unlimited deliveries through DoorDash and Caviar with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After 12 months, you will be auto-enrolled in DashPass at the current $9.99 monthly rate. You must enroll by Dec. 31, 2027 to receive this benefit.
Instacart+ membership
Cardholders receive a complimentary three-month Instacart+ membership, which includes unlimited delivery and $0 delivery fees on eligible orders. After three months, the membership is automatically renewed at a lower annual rate, which includes a 25% discount.
Considering all these benefits, the $150 annual fee in year two and beyond seems well worth it.
Related: Why I’m actually not upset about the United Explorer’s changes
Earning miles with the United Explorer
As a cardholder, you’ll earn:
- At least 9 miles per dollar spent on United flights (you may earn more depending on your level of United MileagePlus elite status)
- 5 miles per dollar spent on prepaid United Hotels
- 3 miles per dollar spent on all other United purchases
- 2 miles per dollar spent on other hotel stays and dining
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
According to TPG’s valuations, this equates roughly to a 12.2%, 6.8%, 4%, 2.7% and 1.4% return on spending, respectively.
These are outstanding earning rates on United flight purchases, some of the best on the market. However, the earning rates are lackluster for other bonus categories like dining, hotels and everyday spending, and better card options exist on the market.
Related: My top 3 picks for the best cobranded hotel credit card
Redeeming miles with the United Explorer
You can redeem your MileagePlus miles across United’s vast network of domestic and international routes and on the carrier’s 24 Star Alliance and 15 nonalliance airline partners.
United uses a dynamic pricing structure on its own flights, so the value of your miles will vary when redeeming for United awards. Domestic awards in economy typically start at just 5,000 miles one-way, but we’ve seen sales with tickets as low as 3,900 miles.
We recommend avoiding non-flight redemptions, such as hotel stays or merchandise, with your United miles, as they offer a poor value proposition.
Related: How to get maximum value from the United MileagePlus program
Which cards compete with the United Explorer?
Several cards compete with the United Explorer:
- If you want a premium United experience: The United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees) is the ideal card for United lounge access — bar none. For any loyal United flyer who spends significant money with the airline each year, this card would make a great addition to your wallet. To learn more, read our full review of the United Club Card.
- If you want a more all-around card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market. It offers bonus points in several categories, including travel and dining, and a slew of travel protections in case something goes awry when traveling. Additionally, you’ll have access to Chase’s excellent roster of transfer partners that can provide maximum value when redeeming your points. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
- If you want tons of perks: The American Express Platinum Card® is one of the top premium travel rewards cards. As a cardmember, you’ll earn valuable Membership Rewards points, receive useful annual statement credits and get access to an extensive network of airport lounges worldwide, as this card offers the best lounge access on the market. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply. To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best United travel cards and the best airline cards.
Related: Is the United Club Card annual fee worth it?
Is the United Explorer worth it?
If you fly with United or its partners at least once or twice a year, we recommend applying for the United Explorer. With several statement credits, lounge passes and a free checked bag, the United Explorer Card is jam-packed with perks to enhance your trips from start to finish.
Bottom line
The United Explorer Card isn’t your run-of-the-mill airline credit card. It has a decent earning rate to stockpile United miles that you can redeem for future travel and a range of benefits.
As long as you take advantage of its lounge passes and statement credits, this mid-tier card — which has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year ($150 each year thereafter) — has a low cost with considerable value.
With these things in mind, this card would make a great addition to most United flyers’ wallets.
Apply here: United Explorer Card
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
