The New United Explorer Card review: Entry-level perks on United that might be worth the annual fee
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Few cobranded airline credit cards have stood the test of time like the New United℠ Explorer Card. Long a favorite among United Airlines flyers, this mid-tier travel card offers a blend of perks that can deliver outsized value for those who regularly fly the carrier. With the annual fee now set at $0 for the first year, then $150 annually, the card has become a bit more expensive, but it still packs in benefits that can quickly offset the cost if you take advantage of them.
Here’s a closer look at the welcome bonus, earning rates, and benefits to help you decide if the New United℠ Explorer Card deserves a place in your wallet.
Short answer: As of October 2026, this card is worth it if you fly United at least once or twice a year. According to Chase, it offers up to 85,000 bonus miles (75,000 after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 when you add an authorized user), a free first checked bag for you and one companion, and 2 United Club one-time passes each year. The $150 annual fee is waived the first year.
United Explorer Card welcome offer
The New United℠ Explorer Card
Unlock Premier United Perks with The New United℠ Explorer Card
- Up to 85,000 bonus miles: 75,000 after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months, plus 10,000 when you add an authorized user in the first 3 months
- 3X miles per $1 on United purchases, including airfare, baggage fees and seat upgrades
- 2X miles on dining and hotel stays; 1X mile on all other purchases
- $0 intro annual fee for your first year, then $150 thereafter
- First checked bag free for you and one companion on United flights
- Two United Club one‑time passes each year for lounge access
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years
Whether you fly United frequently or just a few times a year, this card’s robust rewards and travel protections make every trip smoother. Enjoy trip cancellation/interruption insurance, 25% back on in‑flight purchases and a complimentary year of DashPass for DoorDash & Caviar. Manage your account seamlessly in the Chase app and watch your miles add up on every flight, meal and hotel stay.
Terms apply. Bonus miles and benefits require qualifying purchases and enrollment where applicable. See issuer for full details.
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,020Annual fee rebated$150Total$1,170Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,170
- Welcome offerEarn up to 85,000 bonus miles through the United card website: 75,000 after $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 after adding an authorized user in the first 3 months. Offers through other application channels may differ.
- Up to 85,000 miles
Apply Now
on Chase's website
This is a fairly typical bonus compared with other mid-tier airline credit cards, and thanks to United’s expansive route network and Star Alliance partners, those miles are relatively easy to use.
As mentioned, the card’s annual fee is waived the first year and is $150 annually thereafter.
United Explorer Card earning rates
The card earns bonus miles in the following categories:
- 3 miles per dollar on United purchases.
- 2 miles per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services.
- 2 miles per dollar on hotel accommodations when booked directly with the hotel and purchased through United Hotels.
- 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
As for elite status, you’ll earn 1 PQP for every $20 spent on purchases with your Explorer Card, up to 1,000 PQP per year.
These earning rates are fairly unexciting. General travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture tend to offer more earning opportunities, but they lack the PQP earning opportunities.
United Explorer Card benefits
Although the earning structure is straightforward, the card really shines through its United-specific benefits.
Key benefits
- First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation (up to $200 in savings per round trip).
- Two United Club one-time passes each year.
- Priority boarding (Group 2) on United flights.
- 25% back on in-flight purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Travel protections
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for covered circumstances.
- Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket if your trip is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay.
- Baggage delay insurance: Reimburses up to $100 per day for three days if your bag is delayed.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per passenger if your bags are lost or damaged.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Primary coverage when renting a car.
Additional perks
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS fee credit once every four years.
- Purchase protection: Covers new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days (up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per calendar year).
- Extended warranty protection: Adds an additional year to eligible US manufacturers’ warranties of three years or less.
MileagePlus and redemption options
Miles earned with the United Explorer Card are posted directly to your United MileagePlus account. You can redeem miles for flights on United, as well as Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa, ANA and Singapore Airlines.
Because United uses dynamic pricing, redemption values vary. Short domestic economy flights can start at just 5,000 to 7,500 miles, while business-class partner awards to Europe or Asia often represent the best value. But in recent years, United has devalued these awards. It’s not uncommon to find one-way flights from the US to Europe for 200,000 miles in business class.
Unlike some competitors, United does not impose fuel surcharges on award tickets, which helps keep cash outlays low.
Cards comparable to the United Explorer Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ($95 annual fee): More flexible with 14 airline and hotel transfer partners, including United. It’s a better choice for those who want broad travel options.
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card ($95 annual fee): Offers strong earning rates on dining and travel with transferable Citi ThankYou points.
- United Quest℠ Card ($350 annual fee): A step up from the Explorer, offering higher earning rates, 2 free checked bags and up to $125 in annual United purchase credits. Frequent flyers may find this more rewarding despite the higher fee.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $95 | |||
| $95 | |||
| $350 |
Is the United Explorer Card worth it?
If you fly United a handful of times per year, the United Explorer Card can more than pay for itself. The free checked bag benefit alone could offset the $150 annual fee after just one or two round-trip trips. Add lounge passes, priority boarding, and solid travel protections, and this card offers a well-rounded package for mid-tier travelers.
However, if you value flexibility more than United-specific perks, a general travel rewards card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, may be a better fit. For road warriors who frequently fly United, upgrading to the United Quest℠ Card may deliver more long-term value.
Bottom line
The New United℠ Explorer Card is a solid choice for occasional and moderate United Airlines flyers. The annual fee increase to $150 means you’ll need to be more intentional about using the perks, but the free checked bag, annual lounge passes, and travel protections can still easily justify the cost. If you’re loyal to United and want to save on travel while enjoying some premium perks, this card remains a smart pick.
Is the United Explorer Card worth it?
For most people who fly United at least once or twice a year, yes. The free first checked bag for you and one companion can offset the $150 annual fee after one or two round trips, and the fee is $0 the first year. If you rarely fly United, a flexible card that earns transferable points, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, is usually a better fit.
What are the United Explorer Card perks?
As of October 2026, the main perks are a free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and one companion on United flights, priority boarding, 2 United Club one-time passes per year, a statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS, and 25% back on food, drinks and Wi-Fi bought on United-operated flights.
What is the United Explorer Card welcome bonus?
The current offer is up to 85,000 bonus miles: 75,000 after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, plus 10,000 when you add an authorized user in the first 3 months. The miles post to your United MileagePlus account and can be used on United and Star Alliance partner flights. Welcome offers change often, so check the card page before you apply.
What is the United Explorer Card annual fee?
The annual fee is $0 for the first year, then $150 per year. The card charges no foreign transaction fees. If you want more United perks, such as 2 free checked bags, compare it with the higher-tier United Quest card before you apply.
Does the United Explorer Card count toward Chase 5/24?
Yes. The United Explorer Card is a personal Chase card, so Chase applies its unofficial 5/24 rule: you will usually be declined if you opened 5 or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months. Once approved, it also counts toward your 5/24 total, so plan your Chase applications before you reach that limit.
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,020Annual fee rebated$150Total$1,170Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,170
- Welcome offerEarn up to 85,000 bonus miles through the United card website: 75,000 after $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 after adding an authorized user in the first 3 months. Offers through other application channels may differ.
- Up to 85,000 miles
Apply Now
on Chase's website