United Explorer Card

Chase's United Entry-Level Travel Card

Annual Fee $150

Earning Rate 2x United • 2x dining • 2x hotels • 3x prepaid hotels via United Hotels • 1x everything else

Welcome Bonus 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months + 10,000 miles after adding an authorized user

Card Material Plastic card with standard finish

Practical Recommendation

If you fly United a couple times a year, this card is the "make economy less annoying" pick: first checked bag free for you and a companion, priority boarding, and two United Club one-time passes. The new partner credits (rideshare, hotels, Instacart, car rental, JSX) are real money—but only if you'll actually use them.

Do not overthink it: hit one or two credits and book at least one United trip and the math works. If you never touch the credits and do not check bags, a no-fee card or United Gateway will feel simpler. Bottom line: good value for casual United flyers who can plan around a couple credits.

Credits

Practical Advice

This is what makes or breaks a card for you. If you can use these credits in your normal spend, the perks and protections are all bonus for you. We have a calculator at the bottom of this section to help you calculate that. Below we break down exactly what every credit is to show you if it's easy or if they're going to make you jump through 17 hoops to redeem it.

$100 United TravelBank (after $10,000 spend) – Earn $100 in United TravelBank cash each calendar year after $10,000 in purchases. Redeem on United or United Express airfare at checkout on united.com or the app. Posts after you cross the threshold; expires per TravelBank rules. Great if you buy even one United ticket a year.
United Hotels Credits (up to $100/yr) – Get $50 back on your 1st and 2nd prepaid hotel stays booked directly through United Hotels each anniversary year (max $100). Prices may differ from booking direct; prepaid required. Easy if you can funnel two prepaid stays.
Rideshare Credit (up to $60/yr) – Enroll once per year, then get $5/month back on rideshare purchases paid with the card (no rollovers). Nice if you ride monthly; $0 if you forget to enroll.
Avis/Budget United Travel Credits (up to $50/yr) – Earn $25 in United TravelBank for each of your first two Avis or Budget rentals per anniversary year when you book at cars.united.com and pay with the card (max $50). Portal-only. Great if you rent twice.
Instacart Credits (up to $120/yr, through 12/31/27) – $10/month in Instacart credits when you pay directly at Instacart with the card; includes a 3-month Instacart+ trial (then discount). Ends 12/31/27; credits do not roll. Solid if you already order monthly.
JSX Credit (up to $100/yr) – Up to $100 back each anniversary year on flights purchased direct from JSX with the card. Only useful if you live near JSX routes.
Trusted Traveler Credit (every 4 years) – Statement credit up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS when you charge the application with this card. Pick Global Entry if you ever travel abroad; it includes TSA PreCheck eligibility.

Click Here to Calculate Your Annual Fee

Credit

Include

Your Value

Practical Tip

You can edit the amounts in the number fields if you value a credit at less than the full value. For example, if you only use a $10/month Uber credit half the months, you might value it at $60 instead of $120.

United TravelBank (after $10,000 spend)

What It Is:	$100 in United TravelBank cash each calendar year after $10,000 in purchases.
How It Works:	Spend $10,000 on the card; TravelBank cash appears in your MileagePlus wallet; apply to United/United Express airfare at checkout.
Gotchas:	Triggers only after you pass $10,000; TravelBank cash expires; cannot be used for extras (bags, seats) or third-party bookings.
Who Actually Benefits:	Anyone who buys even one United ticket a year.
Practical Value:	Near-cash $100 if you fly United annually.

Include:

Your Value:

United Hotels Credits

What It Is:	$50 back on your first and second prepaid hotel stays via United Hotels each anniversary year (max $100).
How It Works:	Book and prepay through the United Hotels portal; pay with the card; credit posts after the charge.
Gotchas:	Portal-only; prepaid required; selection and pricing can differ from booking direct; refunds can claw back credits.
Who Actually Benefits:	Travelers who can route two prepaid stays through the portal.
Practical Value:	Easy $100 if you already book prepaid hotels.

Include:

Your Value:

Rideshare Credit

What It Is:	$5/month back on rideshare purchases (January–December) after annual enrollment.
How It Works:	Enroll once per calendar year; pay rides with the card; monthly credit posts after charges.
Gotchas:	Must re-enroll each year; $5 cap does not roll; rides must code as rideshare.
Who Actually Benefits:	Regular riders or airport-trip folks who remember to enroll.
Practical Value:	Straight $60 if you ride monthly.

Include:

Your Value:

Annual Fee: $150

Your Credits: $0

YOUR Annual Fee: $150

This is effectively what you are paying for this card. It is now up to you if the perks, protections, and earning rates are worth this fee to you over other cards.

Perks

Earning structure (full detail) – 2x united purchases; 2x dining (including delivery); 2x hotel stays; 3x on prepaid stays via United Hotels; 1x everything else. Also, earn up to 1,000 Premier qualifying points per year at 1 PQP per $20 spend.
Free first checked bag – Primary cardmember and one companion on the same reservation get the first standard bag free on United-operated flights (purchase with the card; requirement waived for first 90 days after opening). Saves up to $160 round trip for two.
Priority boarding – Board before general boarding so your carry-on finds overhead space. Applies to cardmember and companions on the same reservation.
United Club one-time passes (2/year) – Two digital passes deposit after opening and each anniversary; subject to lounge capacity and access rules. Handy for one or two trips a year.
Award flight savings – Special award pricing on some United-operated flights when available (United says cardmembers "save an average of 30%" in miles).
In-flight savings – 25% back as a statement credit on United-operated onboard purchases and premium drinks in United Club when you pay with the card.
No foreign transaction fees – Use abroad without extra percentage fees.

Protections

Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Up to $1,500 per traveler and $6,000 per trip for non-refundable fares when a covered reason (illness, severe weather, etc.) derails plans.
Trip Delay – If your common-carrier trip is delayed 12+ hours or needs an overnight stay, up to $500 per traveler for hotels/meals/essentials.
Baggage Delay – $100 per day for 3 days when bags are delayed 6+ hours for essential items.
Lost/Damaged Luggage – Up to $3,000 per traveler for checked or carry-on bags lost or damaged by the carrier.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (primary) – Primary coverage up to $60,000 for theft/collision when you pay with the card and decline the agency's waiver (vehicle/country exclusions apply).
Purchase Protection – Covers eligible new items for 120 days, typically up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year.
Extended Warranty – Adds 1 year on U.S. manufacturer warranties of 3 years or less (max 4 years total from purchase).