The United Explorer Card is built for semi-frequent United flyers who want day-of-travel comforts and practical statement credits without paying a premium annual fee. It shines brightest when booking United flights, dining out, and taking advantage of perks like priority boarding and lounge passes.
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Overview
United flight privileges
Airport lounge visits
Primary rental car coverage
For anyone flying United even two or three times a year, the United Explorer Card easily delivers value that exceeds its $150 annual fee, especially with the fee waived for the first year. Between two complimentary United Club passes, a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit, and priority boarding, the travel perks quickly pay for themselves. Additional credits for rideshares, Instacart, and United Hotels make it simple to offset the annual cost.However, if you rarely fly United or prefer flexible rewards that transfer across multiple airlines, a generic travel credit card may be a better fit. The card earns a basic 1x mile on general purchases, so it works best as a targeted card for United travel, dining, and hotel stays rather than an everyday spending card.
This card is an outstanding value for moderate United travelers who will use its airline perks and annual credits, though general spenders may prefer a multi-airline rewards card.
Welcome Offer
after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Est. Value
$650
Required Spend
$3,000
Time Frame
3 Months
Est. Value
$650
Required Spend
$3,000
Time Frame
3 Months
Earning
You earn MileagePlus miles directly on every purchase, with elevated rates on United flights, direct hotel bookings, and dining.
United flights
United purchases
Dining, Hotels (booked with hotel)
Everywhere
Rewards percent based on a valuation of 1.3¢ per MileagePlus mile
Annual Credits & Perks
A strong set of day-of-travel perks, lounge passes, and annual statement credits help offset the recurring annual fee.
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Our app automatically tracks valuable credits so you don't miss any rewards.
Up to $120 in Instacart creditsBenefits
25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases
You’ll get 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your United card.
Benefits
Baggage Delay Insurance
Reimburses you up to $100 a day for up to 3 days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing when baggage is delayed over 6 hours.
Roadside Assistance
If you have a roadside emergency, you can call for a tow, battery assistance, tire change, locksmith, or gas. You’re covered up to $50 per incident 4 times a year.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less.
Extended Warranty Protection
Extends the time period of the manufacturer’s U.S. warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less, up to four years from the date of purchase.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement
Provides reimbursement up to $3,000 per covered traveler for the cost to repair or replace checked or carry-on baggage that is lost, damaged or stolen during a covered trip.
Benefits
3-Month Complimentary Instacart+ Membership
Get complimentary Instacart+ Membership for three months, including unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on eligible orders. After that, you're automatically enrolled in Instacart+ at 25% off the annual rate. Service fees and terms apply. Benefits end 12/31/27.
Priority Boarding
Get on board early and make yourself comfortable. It’s a great start to every United flight. The primary Cardmember, and companions on the same reservation, will be invited to board United operated flights prior to general boarding.
Complimentary DashPass membership
$0 delivery fees on eligible orders from DoorDash and Caviar after activating by 12/31/27.
Benefits
2 United Club℠ One-Time Passes Annually
Start your trip off right at the United Club. Enjoy a little relaxation and complimentary snacks before takeoff. Plus, take advantage of more amenities like workspaces, free Wi-Fi and more. All made possible with two United Club one-time passes, which will be deposited into your MileagePlus account after account opening and each year for your Cardmember anniversary.
Eligibility
Good credit or higher is recommended for this card.
Credit approval is not guaranteed. Meeting the recommended credit range does not ensure approval, and applicants with lower scores may still be considered.
Pricing
Annual Fee
$150
Purchase APR
19.74% - 28.24%
Variable
Transfer APR
19.74% - 28.24%
Variable
Cash Advance APR
28.49%
Variable
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Balance Transfer
$5
Cash Advance
$10
Late Payment
None
MaxRewards has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. MaxRewards and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
MaxRewards may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on MaxRewards are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. MaxRewards does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Compensation may be earned when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened.
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are MaxRewards' alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Recognition
Earn 200,000 bonus points
Worth $3,000
After you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and access more than $7,000 in total business and travel value in your first year.
Annual Fee
$795
Rec. Credit
Good
115,000 Points
Worth $1,610
After you spend $4,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership.
Annual Fee
$195
Rec. Credit
Excellent
Earn 100,000 bonus points
Worth $1,500
After you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$795
Rec. Credit
Excellent
