United Explorer Card Review

United Explorer card offers 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of your account is open. This card product is only available to you if you do not have this card in the past 24 months. The United Explorer Card offers a range of rewards and benefits for those who love to travel. With a generous sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after you spend $3000 in first three months, you can enjoy 2x miles on United Airlines purchases. Enjoy more perks like free checked bags and statement credits for Global Entry or TSA Pre Check. This card is perfect for frequent flyers.

Quick Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months your account is open.
• Get 2x miles on United Airlines purchases, dining, and hotel stays.
• 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• Enjoy a free first-checked bag for you and a companion on united flights.
• Receive a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA Pre Check, or NEXUS application fees every four years.
• Get 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights.
• Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year.

United Explorer Card Rewards and Benefits

The United Explorer Card from Chase offers a mix of rewards geared towards frequent United Airlines flyers. Let’s break down the good, the bad, and the miles in-between:

Earning Rewards:

• 2x miles per dollar: You earn double miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays worldwide. This can add up quickly for frequent travelers.
• Bonus miles: New cardholders can currently earn a 60,000-mile bonus after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• United Club℠ Lounge access: You can purchase a one-time United Club lounge pass for $39 in the Chase mobile app. This might be useful for occasional travelers, but frequent flyers might want to consider a card with included lounge access.
• No foreign transaction fees: This is a plus for international travelers who want to avoid extra charges.
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Get reimbursed for covered expenses if your trip is cancelled or interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Auto rental collision damage waiver: Decline rental car insurance and be covered for collision damage up to the card’s limit.
• Annual fee: The card has a $95 annual fee, which you need to weigh against the value you get from the rewards and benefits.
• Limited lounge access: Unlike premium United cards, the Explorer card doesn’t offer complimentary lounge access.

• Miles expiration: United miles expire after 24 months of inactivity, so be sure to use them or transfer them to partners before they disappear.

United Explorer Card Rates and Fee

Understanding the rates and fees associated with the United Card is essential. Here’s a brief breakdown in the light of recently acquired nuanced information:

• Annual Fee: $95 after the first year’s intro offer of $0.
• Purchase Annual Percentage Rate (APR): 99% to 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors.
• Annual Membership Fee:$0 Intro fee for the first year. After that, $95
• Balance Transfers: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
• Cash Advances: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
• Foreign Transactions: None
• Late Payment: Up to $40.
• Return Payment: Up to $40.
• Return Check: None

 The United Explorer Card Features

The United Explorer Card is a popular choice among frequent travelers. Chase Bank issues it in partnership with United Airlines and offers various perks and rewards to its cardholders. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of owning this card:

• United Mileage plus Program: The United Card is a great way to earn miles that can be redeemed for flights, car rentals, hotels, and more. As a cardholder, you can earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on United Airlines purchases and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Free checked bags: One of the major perks of owning the United Explorer Card is that it offers a free checked bag for you and one companion on united flights. This can save you up to $120 per round-trip flight.
• Priority boarding: Cardholders also benefit from priority boarding, allowing them to settle in comfortably without worrying about overhead space or waiting in long lines.

• Global Entry/TSA Pre Check fee credit: The United Card offers a $100 credit towards your Global Entry or TSA Pre Check application fee. This can save you time and hassle at the airport, making your travel experience smoother.

United Explorer Card Additional Benefits

Free First Checked Bag: Save up to $140 per Roundtrip: The United Explorer Card offers a valuable benefit for travelers. The first checked bag is free for the primary card member and one companion travelling on the same reservation. This perk can save up to $140 per Roundtrip, with each standard checked bag having a value of up to $35 each way per person.

Premier Upgrades on Award Tickets: For primary card members with Mileage plus Premier status, travelling on an award ticket got even better. The United Explorer Card allows for complimentary premier upgrades on select United and United Express-operated flights, subject to availability. This benefit also extends to one companion travelling on the same reservation.

No Foreign Transaction Fees: With the Explorer Card, there’s no need to worry about foreign transaction fees when making purchases outside of the U.S. This means that any purchase made internationally using the card will not incur additional costs. For example, if you spend $5,000 while travelling abroad, you can avoid up to $150 in foreign transaction fees.

Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): Earn Premier qualifying points (PQP) with your United Explorer Card to help you reach Mileage Plus Premier® status. You will earn 25 PQP for every $500 spent on purchases, up to a maximum of 1,000 PQP in a calendar year. These can be applied towards your Premier status qualification up to the Premier 1K level.

No Blackout Dates: As a Mileage Plus member with the United Explorer Card, you can use your miles for any United-operated flight anytime without restrictions or blackout dates. This allows for maximum flexibility when planning your travels.

Never Expire Miles: One of the many benefits of being a Mileage Plus member is that your miles never expire. This means you have a lifetime to use them on flights and other exciting rewards, making the United Explorer Card an even more valuable asset for frequent travelers. So go ahead and save up your miles for that dream vacation or use them for a quick weekend getaway; the choice is yours.

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 the vehicle’s actual cash value for theft and collision damage for most rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.

Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your everyday carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.

Purchase Protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.

United Explorer Card Best Offer

With the correct credit score, card applicants can secure offers such as generous mileage bonuses and statement credits that significantly offset the annual fee in the first year.

Unboxing the Bonus:

The headline-grabbing feature is the 60,000 bonus miles you can earn after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. That’s enough to redeem for exciting flight options, like a domestic round-trip ticket or even a short-haul international getaway. Plus, you’ll enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, making it an enticing way to test-drive the card’s perks.

Beyond the Bonus:

But the Explorer United Card isn’t just about a one-time welcome offer. Here are some of its ongoing advantages:

Double Miles: Earn 2x miles on united purchases, hotels booked directly, and dining, and 1x mile on everything else. This steady stream of miles fuels your travel aspirations.

Global Entry or TSA Pre Check Credit: Get reimbursed for the application fee of either program every four years, streamlining your airport experience.

Free Checked Bag: Say goodbye to United and United Express flight baggage fees. This perk can save you a significant amount, especially on multi-leg trips.

 In-flight Perks: Enjoy 25% back on food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases onboard United and United Express-operated flights and premium drink purchases at United Clubs.

Chase United Explorer Card Referral

You can earn bonus miles by referring your friends and family to the United Explorer Card. If they apply and get approved, you can receive 10,000 bonus miles for each referral, up to a maximum of 50,000 miles per year. This is a great way to boost your mileage balance and share the benefits of this card with your loved ones.

United Explorer Card Application and Approval Process

Application Process:

• Eligibility: Check the eligibility criteria for the United Explorer Card on the Chase website. This includes factors like credit score, income, and residency.
• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Residency: You must have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number and a physical U.S. address.
• Income: You must have enough income to make the monthly minimum payments on the card.
• Credit Score: While the official requirement isn’t specified, most sources agree that a good or excellent credit score of 700 or above is typically needed for approval.

1. Application: You can apply online through the Chase website or mobile app. The application requires personal information, employment details, and income information.
2. Review: After submitting your application, Chase will review your information and credit history. This may involve a hard credit inquiry, which can temporarily lower your credit score.
3. Decision: You will receive a decision on your application within 7-10 business days. You can check your status online or by contacting Chase customer service.

Approval Process:

Several factors influence your approval chances, including:

• Credit Score: Aim for a score of 670 or above for better chances.
• Income: Demonstrate sufficient income to meet your potential credit limit.
• Debt-to-income ratio: Lower ratio indicates better financial management.
• Employment history: Stable employment strengthens your application.
• Credit history: Limited delinquencies and responsible credit usage are positive.

Customer Care/Support

• Helpline Number: 1-800-888-8756 or 1-804-673-1691
• Official Website: Chase Bank

Is the United Explorer Card Worth Getting?

It depends on your travel habits. Great for frequent United flyers who value checked bags, lounge access & United miles. It could be better if you fly other airlines or prioritize flexible rewards. Consider annual fees & your spending habits. Thanks to its solid sign-up bonus, the United Explorer Card makes it easy to earn a free flight quickly, but you’ll have to fly United often to make up for the card’s $95 annual fee (waived for the first year).

WhatCard Recommended Credit Cards

• Southwest Rapid Rewards plus Credit Card Review
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

Conclusion

With a generous sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards rate, the United Explorer Card is excellent for globetrotters who want to supercharge their United miles balance. The United Explorer Card offers a solid combination of travel perks and rewards for frequent United Airlines flyers, especially those who check bags and fly economy. However, the $95 annual fee might not be worth it for casual travelers or those prioritizing flexibility over airline-specific rewards.