United Explorer Card Credit Card

United Explorer Card

Last Updated: 04/06/2026

Rating
4.2 / 5
Sign Up Bonus
80,000 Miles
Annual Fee
$150
Credit Score
Good

Summary

04/05/2026: Chase has made several upgrades to the United Explorer card, such as increasing the sign-up bonus to 80K Miles, increasing the miles earned on United flights to 9x and 3x on all other United purchases, as well as adding a 10% discount on flights purchased with miles

Sign-Up Bonus
4.5
Spending Multipliers
3.5
Credits & Features
4.5
Fees
3.5
Application
4
Issuer
NaN

The Chase United Explorer Card is a travel rewards card designed for frequent flyers who want to maximize benefits specifically with United Airlines while enjoying no foreign transaction fees and first-year fee savings. Ideal for loyal United travelers, the card offers perks such as free first checked bag, priority boarding, two United Club passes, and 25% back on in-flight purchases, along with robust travel protections like purchase protection up to $10,000 per claim, auto rental collision damage waiver, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance up to $1,500 per person. Cardholders can also take advantage of credits including $100 United travel credit after $10,000 annual spend, semi-annual hotel and car rental credits, rideshare and Instacart credits, and $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. While some benefits are incremental or time-limited and features are closely tied to United Airlines, the Chase United Explorer card is best suited for frequent flyers seeking airline-specific perks, travel protections, and rewards that enhance their United travel experience.

Pros

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Annual fee waived in first year
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No foreign transaction fee
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Purchase protection up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year
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Extended warranty

Cons

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Credits may not offset annual fee as they are niche perks
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Lots of credits are paid incrementally throughout the year
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Some credits have an expiration date which might limit value in the future
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Features are closely coupled to United Airline
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1x catch all category

Issuer

Spending Multipliers

Credits & Features

$100 United travel credit after $10,000 in annual spend
2x annual $50 United Hotel credit
2x annual $25 Avis or Budget car rental credit
$5 monthly rideshare credit
$10 monthly Instacart credit until December 31, 2027
$100 annual JSX credit
10% discount on flights booked with miles
Free first checked bag
Priority boarding
2 United Club on-time passes
25% back on in-flight purchases
Premier upgrade and award tickets
10,000 Mile award flight after $20,000 annual spend
$120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 4 years
3 Month Instacart+ Membership until December 31, 2027
Auto rental collision damage waiver
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip
Baggage delay insurance
Lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000 per passenger
Trip delay reimbursement up to $500 per ticket

Application

  • Chase has a strict 5/24 rule, meaning you will be rejected if you opened 5 or more cards in the past 24 months
  • Welcome bonus is only available if you don’t have this card and did not open this card in the last 24 months
  • Consider having at least a credit history for 1 year
  • Avoid applying for more than 2 Chase cards in 30 days

Fees

  • $150 Annual Fee
  • No Foreign Transaction Fee
  • Up to $40 late fee
  • Up to $40 return payment fee
  • 19.74% - 28.24% Variable APR
  • 28.49% APR for Cash Advance
  • $10 or 5% of each cash advance amount (whichever is greater)
  • 19.74% - 28.24% APR for Balance Transfer
  • $5 or 5% of each transfer amount (whichever is greater)
See Full and Updated Rate & Fee Schedule During Application Process