The United℠ Explorer Card is built for United flyers who want a mid-tier airline card that makes trips smoother, not just a card that earns miles. It works best as a United companion card for checked bags, boarding perks, and occasional lounge visits, rather than as your main card for everyday spending.
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Overview
United flight perks
Occasional lounge visits
Checked bag savings
This card is worth it if you fly United often enough to use the travel perks several times a year. Priority boarding, two United Club one-time passes, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and the airline-specific credits can help offset the $150 annual fee, especially if you also check bags or buy food and Wi-Fi onboard. The first-year $0 intro annual fee also makes it easier to try the card before deciding whether the ongoing fee fits your travel habits.
Where this card is less convincing is everyday rewards. Outside of United purchases, the earning rates are fairly ordinary, and MileagePlus miles are most useful if United is already part of your routine. If you rarely fly United, do not care about airline perks, or want one travel card to cover all spending, a broader travel card or a simpler cash-back option will likely be a better fit.
A solid fit for travelers who fly United with some regularity and will actually use the airline perks. For everyone else, the value is much harder to justify because the rewards outside United are only average.
Welcome Offer
after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Est. Value
$500
Required Spend
$3,000
Time Frame
3 Months
Est. Value
$500
Required Spend
$3,000
Time Frame
3 Months
Earning
This card earns MileagePlus miles, with the strongest returns tied to United spending and a modest boost on dining and direct hotel bookings. In practice, the rewards are most appealing if you already fly United often enough to redeem those miles comfortably.
United flights
United purchases
Dining, Hotels (booked with hotel)
Everywhere
Rewards percent based on a valuation of 1¢ per MileagePlus mile
Annual Credits & Perks
The real case for this card is in the travel perks, not just the miles. As you look through the benefits, focus on the ones you would reliably use each year, since that is what determines whether the annual fee makes sense.
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
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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 $2,500
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
Earn 100,000 bonus points
Worth $1,250
After you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$795
Rec. Credit
Excellent
Earn 100,000 bonus points
Worth $1,250
After you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
Rec. Credit
Good
