Travel Better with the United Explorer Card
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If you're a fan of United Airlines and its partners, the United℠ Explorer Card provides frequent flyers and loyal users excellent perks. And with its generous bonus offer, now's the time to apply! (See also: 5 Best Co-Branded Airline Credit Cards)
How This Card Works
You can earn two miles for each dollar spent on tickets purchased from United Airlines, two miles at restaurants and hotels, and one mile for each dollar spent on all other purchases. There is no limit to the number of miles that can be earned and miles do not expire as long as your credit card account is open.
Bonus offer. Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Your miles can be redeemed for award flights with United Airlines, as well as any Star Alliance member airlines. Besides airfare, however, you can redeem miles for hotel stays and merchandise.
Other Benefits
First checked bag free. As the primary card holder, you receive your first checked bag free as well as one companion's first checked bag free when traveling on the same reservation with United Airlines. This saves you approximately $100 in checked bag fees for two travelers on a round-trip flight.
Priority boarding. You and a companion on the same reservation are eligible for Priority Boarding, which allows you to board the plane before general boarding (which is after first and business class).
United Club lounge passes. You receive two one-time-use passes for the United Club airport lounge every after card opening and each year on your card anniversary. These passes provide access to complimentary amenities such as wireless Internet, and beverages and snacks. (See also: Best Credit Cards with Free Airport Lounge Access)
Savings on inflight purchases. Get 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United®-operated flights when you pay with your Explorer Card.
Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® fee credit. This card offers up to $100 as a statement credit every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee for either program when charged to your Card.
Pros
No foreign transaction fee. There is no foreign transaction fee on this card, and this is noteworthy because there unfortunately are still rewards credit cards — even travel rewards cards — which charge as much as 3% on purchases made outside of the United States. (See also: Best Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees)
Cons
Award flight limitations. As with any co-branded airline credit card, your redemption is limited to that particular airline and its partners. If United isn't your favorite airline, or you prefer to have more options for redeeming awards tickets, you might want to look into other good travel rewards credit cards.
Annual fee. You'll need to see if you can earn enough rewards with this card to justify the annual fee. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fees)
Who This Card Is Best For
If you travel frequently with United Airlines (especially outside of the U.S.) and can benefit from the airport lounge passes and free checked bags, the United℠ Explorer card is a great card for earning and redeeming miles for award flights.
Info about the United Explorer Card from Chase has been collected independently by Wise Bread. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.
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