Are you an avid traveler looking for the perfect credit card to help you earn points and miles? Look no further than the United Explorer Airlines Card. This credit card offers a variety of benefits that make it easy to earn points and take advantage of exclusive travel perks. If you’re considering this card, keep reading for our full United Explorer Airlines Card Review, where we’ll break down everything you need to know about this popular travel credit card.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card is a co-branded credit card for travelers who frequently fly with United Airlines. Issued by Chase, the card offers a range of benefits and perks for cardholders. As an introductory offer, new cardholders can enjoy a waived annual fee for the first year.
One of the best features of the United Explorer Card is its sign-up bonus of 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. The bonus miles can be redeemed for flights, which in our valuation is worth over $1,300.
With this card, cardholders can earn two miles per dollar spent on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays. This rewards rate is a major plus for frequent flyers who regularly spend on these categories. Additionally, the card offers cost-saving travel benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and two one-time passes to United Club lounges per year.
While the United Explorer Card has an annual fee of $95 after the first year, it is still a cost-effective option for travelers who frequently fly with United Airlines. Overall, the United Explorer Card is a benefits-rich airline credit card, with perks and rewards that make it an excellent option for avid United Airlines passengers.
2. Excellent Value and Bonus Perks
The United Explorer Airlines Card is a great choice for anyone looking for an airline credit card with excellent value and bonus perks. The card’s introductory bonus alone is worth $1,300 or more when used on flights, making it easily earned and highly valuable.
In addition to the welcome bonus, cardholders can earn 2x miles in popular spending categories such as dining, hotel stays, and, of course, United flights. This makes it easier for frequent United flyers to earn miles faster and enjoy their rewards sooner.
Despite its annual fee, the United Explorer Card offers a wide range of cost-saving travel benefits, including a free checked bag, priority boarding, and access to the United Club twice per year. Cardholders can also receive an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, making the travel process even smoother.
Overall, the United Explorer Airlines Card is a benefits-rich airline credit card that offers a cost-effective option for frequent United passengers. The waived annual fee for the first year and the 50,000 bonus miles offer only add to its value. It’s a smart choice for anyone who wants to maximize their United miles and enjoy premium travel benefits.
3. Annual Fee and Regular APR
In terms of cost, the United Explorer Card comes with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, followed by a reasonable $95 annual fee. This is a great value considering the numerous cost-saving travel benefits that come with the card. The regular APR for purchases and balance transfers is 21.24% to 28.24% variable, which is in line with other travel credit cards in the market.
While the annual fee may seem steep, the benefits offered by the card more than make up for it. As mentioned in previous sections, the United Explorer Card offers faster mile earnings for frequent United flyers, solid rewards rates for United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, as well as multiple travel benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and airport lounge access.
In addition, the waived annual fee for the first year and the current sign-up bonus of 50,000 bonus miles for spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months make the United Explorer Card a cost-effective option for frequent United passengers, especially if they are able to take advantage of the card’s benefits.
While the regular APR may seem high, it is not unreasonable for a travel credit card, and as long as the cardholder pays their balance in full each month, they can avoid paying any interest charges. Overall, the United Explorer Card offers a great value for its annual fee and regular APR, especially for those who frequently travel with United Airlines.
4. Faster Mile Earnings for Frequent United Flyers
For frequent United flyers, maximizing the reward points on every purchase is essential. This is where the United Explorer card comes in handy. With this card, frequent flyers can earn rewards miles at a much faster rate.
As mentioned earlier, the United Explorer card earns two miles per dollar spent on United purchases, dining purchases (including delivery services), and hotel stays. This means that every time a frequent United flyer spends on these categories, they are earning double the miles compared to other purchases.
Furthermore, the United Explorer card also grants its holders a 25% bonus on rewards miles earned through flights purchased with United Airlines. This bonus ensures that frequent flyers get even more out of their travels while earning rewards miles faster.
The United Explorer card also offers additional opportunities to earn bonus miles. Cardholders can earn up to 10,000 bonus miles by referring their friends and family to sign up for the card. Additionally, the card offers regular promotions that allow members to earn bonus miles on certain purchases or transactions.
Overall, the United Explorer card offers ample opportunity for frequent United flyers to earn rewards miles at an accelerated pace. With double the miles earned for every United purchase, dining expenses, and hotel stays, along with the bonus miles opportunities, this card is an excellent option for those who frequently fly with United Airlines.
5. Solid Rewards Rate for United Purchases, Dining, and Hotel Stays
The United Explorer card offers a solid rewards rate of 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United purchases. This makes it an excellent credit card option for those who frequently travel with United and enjoy dining out or staying at hotels.
What’s great about the United Explorer card is that it gives you 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases directly from United, including airfare and upgrades. This is perfect for those who are loyal to United and use the airline for all their travel needs. Additionally, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants and hotels, making it easy to rack up reward points while enjoying a delicious meal or a luxurious hotel stay.
For all other eligible purchases, you’ll earn 1 mile per dollar spent. While this may not seem like a lot, it can add up over time and result in significant reward points that can be redeemed for future travel.
The solid rewards rate isn’t the only reason to consider the United Explorer card. As mentioned in previous sections, the card also offers exceptional value and bonus perks, making it a cost-effective option for frequent United passengers.
Overall, if you’re someone who enjoys dining out, staying at hotels, and travels frequently with United, the United Explorer card offers a solid rewards rate that can help you earn more rewards points faster.
6. Cost-Effective Option for Frequent United Passengers
The United Explorer Card is an excellent cost-effective option for frequent United Airlines passengers. With its outstanding perks and rewards, this card can help you save money on airfare, as well as other travel expenses. Plus, the annual fee is reasonable and on par with other entry-level airline credit cards.
For frequent flyers of United Airlines, the United Explorer Card provides a fast track to your next free flight. With a relatively low annual fee, this card offers excellent value, especially for travelers who frequently fly with United. The card also earns bonus rewards in a variety of categories, including travel, dining, and hotel stays.
One of the standout features of this card is its ability to help you save money on travel expenses. For example, cardholders receive discounts on inflight purchases, free checked bags, and more. Additionally, the card offers 25 percent back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases, which can add up quickly.
Another benefit of the United Explorer Card is its ability to earn bonus miles on United flights, hotel stays, and restaurant purchases. This card also allows you to transfer points on a 1:1 basis to about a dozen airline and hotel partners, giving you greater flexibility in how you use your rewards.
Overall, the United Explorer Card is a benefits-rich airline credit card that offers tremendous value to frequent United Airlines passengers. With its excellent rewards, cost-saving travel benefits, and waived annual fee for the first year, this card is a must-have for anyone who frequently flies with United Airlines.
7. Multiple Cost-Saving Travel Benefits
The United Explorer card packs more than just rewards and bonus perks but also offers multiple cost-saving travel benefits. These benefits provide great value to travelers who frequently fly with United Airlines.
One of the biggest cost-saving benefits is the free checked bag for the primary cardholder and a companion traveling on the same reservation. This can save up to $140 on round-trip flights for two. Priority boarding provides a hassle-free experience, allowing cardholders to board the plane sooner and find overhead bin space for their carry-on.
Additionally, this card offers a $100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee credit. This can expedite the security process by skipping long lines and reducing wait times at checkpoints. The credit is available every four years for Global Entry and every 4.5 years for TSA Precheck.
The United Explorer card also provides protection for trip cancellations, interruptions, and delays with trip insurance coverage. Travel accident insurance covers up to $500,000 in the event of death or dismemberment while traveling. Furthermore, auto rental collision damage waiver ensures that the cardholder is not liable for damages to rental cars.
What sets the United Explorer apart is the fact that it offers car rental coverage that is primary, meaning it kicks in before your own insurance. This can save hundreds of dollars in collision damage and loss of use fees charged by car rental companies.
The United Explorer card also provides two one-time United Club passes each year. These passes can be worth up to $118 if purchased separately, making it easier for travelers to relax in comfort before their flight.
All of these travel benefits go above and beyond what other travel credit cards usually offer. Overall, the United Explorer card provides excellent value for frequent United flyers who want to save money and enjoy a more comfortable travel experience.
8. Benefits-Rich Airline Credit Card
The United Explorer Card is a benefits-rich airline credit card that offers a plethora of perks for frequent United flyers. With this card, you can take advantage of discounts on inflight purchases, free checked bags, and enhanced miles on select purchases.
One of the best perks of this card is the 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights. This can help you save money on your inflight purchases while you travel. Additionally, cardholders enjoy 2x miles on United flights, hotel stays, and restaurant purchases.
The United Explorer Card is also a great choice for travelers looking for lounges to rest in between flights. Cardholders get access to United’s lounges, which offer free Wi-Fi, snacks, and even alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, the card provides travel insurance, which includes trip cancellation, baggage delay, and lost baggage coverage.
Although the card has an annual fee, it’s worth the investment for frequent United flyers who can take advantage of the many offered perks. Plus, the annual fee is waived for the first year of card membership.
Overall, the United Explorer Card provides an abundance of benefits that make it a top choice for frequent United travelers. If you travel frequently with United, this card is an excellent option that can help you save money and earn rewards on your trips.
9. Waived Annual Fee for First Year
The United Explorer Airlines Card is a benefits-rich airline credit card that offers a plethora of perks for frequent United passengers. Not only does it come with a sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles, but it also offers a waived annual fee for the first year. This means that cardholders can enjoy all the rewards and benefits of the card without worrying about the cost for the first 12 months.
The waived annual fee is a significant advantage for those who are looking to take advantage of the card’s many perks. The $95 annual fee is reasonable to begin with, but having it waived for the first year makes it an even more attractive choice for United passengers. This flexibility allows cardholders to take advantage of the card’s benefits without worrying about the cost.
Moreover, the card’s benefits and rewards are well worth the annual fee even after the first year. This includes priority boarding and free checked bags, two benefits that can save frequent flyers a significant amount of money over time. Additionally, the card offers bonus miles for United purchases, dining, and hotel stays. The rewards rate is competitive, and the ability to earn miles faster is particularly advantageous for those who travel frequently.
In conclusion, the waived annual fee for the first year is just one of the many benefits that the United Explorer Airlines Card offers. It’s a cost-effective option for frequent United passengers who want to enjoy a range of travel benefits and rewards. With a solid rewards rate, multiple travel benefits, and a waived annual fee for the first year, it’s a card that’s definitely worth considering.
10. United Airline Credit Card 50000 Bonus Miles Offer
The United Explorer Card stands out from the rest with its generous sign-up bonus offer of 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months. This section will focus on how the bonus miles offer is an excellent addition to an already impressive rewards program and value-rich card.
In addition to the exceptional value and bonus perks, the United Explorer Card’s bonus miles offer is an excellent opportunity for travelers to earn more miles towards their next United Airlines flight. With domestic United award tickets starting as low as 5,000 miles one-way, the sign-up bonus offer can go a long way in reaching those redemption goals.
Frequent United flyers will appreciate the faster mile earnings with the United Explorer Card. The 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, along with the 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases, adds up quickly towards earning more miles for their next trip.
Moreover, the United Explorer Card is a cost-effective option for frequent United passengers, especially with the waived annual fee for the first year, which helps offset the card’s $95 annual fee that applies after the first year.
Furthermore, multiple travel benefits, including priority boarding, free checked bags, and $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, enhance the travel experience and make the United Explorer Card a benefits-rich airline credit card.
Overall, the United Explorer Card’s 50,000 bonus miles offer is a great addition to an already exceptional rewards program, and with the waived annual fee for the first year, it’s a great opportunity to try out the card and reap the benefits of both the bonus miles offer and travel benefits.
