
United℠ Explorer Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Card details
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
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
Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
Rates, fees & offers
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
1x-2x
Bonus offer
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Intro APR
N/A
Ongoing APR
APR: 20.74%-27.74% Variable APR
Cash Advance APR: 29.24%, Variable
Penalty APR: 29.99%, Variable
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
None
Recommended credit score
Compare to other cards
United℠ Explorer Card | ||
---|---|---|
Learn more | Learn more | |
Annual fee$0 intro for the first year, then $95 | Annual fee$99 | Annual fee$199 |
Regular APR20.74%-27.74% Variable APR | Regular APRSee Terms | |
Intro APRN/A | Intro APR0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. | Intro APRN/A |
Recommended Credit Score |
Recommended Credit Score |
Recommended Credit Score |
NerdWallet review
By Erin El Issa
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Rating details
5
Editor's overall rating
Pros and cons
Pros
Bonus categories
Luxury perks
New cardholder bonus offer
Free checked bag
Cons
Has annual fee
Rewards have limited flexibility
United fliers, rejoice — the United℠ Explorer Card is a fantastic card to rack up the miles on your airfare and redeem them for free flights. It offers 2 MileagePlus miles per dollar spent on purchases from United; 2 miles per dollar spent on restaurant purchases and hotel stays; and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
There's also a sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.. Miles can be used on any United flight, as well as flights on any of the other Star Alliance airlines. The United℠ Explorer Card boasts great United perks for cardholders, including a free checked bag for you and a traveling companion, priority boarding and two free United Club passes per year.
The United℠ Explorer Card has an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95, and no foreign transaction fees. The free checked bags could save you up to $120 per round trip, making up for the card's annual fee. This card is best for regular United fliers who check bags; otherwise, you're probably better off with a general travel card.
Want to learn more? Check out our full review of the United℠ Explorer Card for additional details.