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United℠ Explorer Card

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Rating

5.0/5

2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays. 1x mile on all other purchases

Welcome Offer
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
Annual Fees
$95
Regular APR
20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Credit Score Needed
Excellent, Good

The United℠ Explorer Card is a mid-tier airline credit card designed for frequent United Airlines flyers. This card offers rewards and United-specific perks at a moderate annual fee. Here's a comprehensive overview of the card:

Rewards Structure

  • 2x miles on United purchases
  • 2x miles on dining
  • 2x miles on hotel stays booked directly with hotels
  • 1x mile on all other purchases

This reward structure provides solid earning potential for United loyalists and those who frequently dine out or stay at hotels.

Key Benefits

  • Free first checked bag for the cardholder and one companion on the same reservation
  • Two United Club one-time passes annually
  • Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fee credit every four years
  • Priority boarding
  • 5% back on United inflight purchases
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Trip delay reimbursement

Welcome Bonus

Limited-time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95

Additional Perks

  • Access to exclusive cardmember experiences
  • Expanded award availability on United flights
  • Premier upgrades on award tickets for Premier members

Who Should Consider This Card

The United℠ Explorer Card is ideal for:

  • Frequent United flyers who can utilize the free checked bag benefit
  • Travelers who value occasional airport lounge access
  • Those seeking comprehensive travel protections without a premium annual fee
  • United customers looking to boost their MileagePlus earnings

However, it might not be the best fit for:

  • Infrequent travelers or those who rarely fly United
  • Those seeking premium travel perks like regular lounge access
  • Consumers who prefer more flexible rewards programs

Conclusion

The United℠ Explorer Card offers substantial value for regular United flyers. Its strengths include the free checked bag benefit, which can easily offset the annual fee for those who fly United at least once a year. The two United Club passes provide a taste of premium travel, while the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit is a valuable perk rarely found on cards in this price range.

While the card requires some loyalty to United to maximize its benefits, it provides a solid entry point into the United MileagePlus program without the high costs associated with premium travel cards. The comprehensive travel protections add peace of mind for frequent travelers.

The card's value proposition hinges on how often one flies with United and utilizes the associated benefits. For those who regularly choose United for their travels, the United℠ Explorer Card can be a cost-effective way to enhance their flying experience and accelerate their miles earning.

Pros

  • Two United Club one-time passes annually: Provides access to United Club lounges twice per year

  • Free first checked bag for cardholder and companion: Saves up to $160 per roundtrip ($35 per bag each way)

  • Expanded award availability: Cardholders get access to additional award seats that aren’t available to general MileagePlus members

Cons

  • Limited earning rate on United purchases: 2x miles per dollar on United purchases is lower than the 3x or 4x offered by some competing airline cards

  • No anniversary miles bonus: Unlike some competitor airline cards, this card doesn’t offer an annual miles bonus just for renewing

  • Restricted hotel bonus category: The 2x miles on hotel stays only applies to bookings made directly with hotels, excluding popular online travel agencies like Expedia

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United℠ Explorer Card

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Rating

5.0/5
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