Card guide · United MileagePlus
Chase United Explorer
Card guide overview
A United card with free checked bags, two Club passes, and credits that offset the $150 fee for regular United flyers.
Key card attributes
| Issuing bank | Reward currency | Currency type | Network | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase | United MileagePlus | Airline Miles | Visa | $150 (FYF) |
Closest alternatives
At a glance
The card in three decisions.
The Chase United Explorer is the sweet spot in the United co-branded lineup. At $150 (waived the first year), it delivers free checked bags, priority boarding, two United Club one-time passes annually, and a solid earning structure. The $100 United travel credit after $10K calendar-year spend and up to $60 in rideshare credits can offset the fee for regular United travelers.
The 60K bonus (50,000 after $3,000 spend in three months + 10,000 after adding an authorized user) is below the tracked 80K maximum. The $10K threshold for the United travel credit is steep—this is only realistic if the Explorer is your primary spending card. Still, for anyone who flies United at least twice a year and checks a bag, the bag savings alone ($35 each way) can justify the $150 fee.
Best fit
Regular United flyers who want bag benefits and lounge access at an entry-level fee
If you fly United a few times per year, check bags, and value two one-time Club passes annually, this card delivers strong value.
Current timing
60K is below the 80K tracked maximum—not the strongest timing
The 80K maximum has appeared in limited promotions. If you can wait, a higher bonus may return.
Main watchout
$10K spend required to unlock the $100 United travel credit
The $100 United annual travel credit requires $10,000 in calendar-year spend. At $833/month, this is only realistic as a primary card.
Current and historical offer
60K is standard; 80K has been the tracked maximum.
We compare public points offers with public points offers. Referral, branch, targeted and mixed cash-plus-points offers are outside this ladder.
Timing assessment
60K is below the 80K maximum—consider waiting if the bonus matters.
The 80K maximum is higher than the current 60K standard (50,000 after $3,000 spend + 10,000 after adding an authorized user). At an estimated 1.2 cents per mile, the gap is roughly $240 in bonus value.
Why someone may still apply
The bag savings and Club passes are the real value—not the bonus.
If you have upcoming United travel and want free checked bags immediately, the ongoing benefits may outweigh a suboptimal bonus. The $0 first-year fee also lowers the entry risk.
Card benefits
Free checked bags, Club passes, and credits define the value.
The tiers are a Points Brief editorial assessment of decision importance and rarity among entry-level airline cards—not labels supplied by Chase.
Tier 1 · Rare differentiators
Benefits that set this card apart from other entry-level airline cards.
First checked bag free for cardmember + 1 companion
Free first checked bag on United-operated flights when you pay with your card. Savings: $35 each way for cardmember and one companion on the same reservation.
- Applies to United and United Express flights.
- Cardmember and one companion on the same reservation.
- Must pay for the ticket with the Explorer card.
Know the limits: If you and a companion each check a bag on one round-trip per year, you save $140—nearly covering the $150 annual fee.
Two United Club one-time passes per year
Receive two one-time United Club passes each cardmember anniversary year. Access United Club lounges with complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and workspaces.
- Two passes each anniversary year, not per calendar year.
- Each pass admits one person; guest policies vary.
- Passes are digital and accessed through your MileagePlus account.
Know the limits: One-time passes are not a substitute for a full membership. Access may be restricted during peak hours at some locations.
Tier 2 · Strong, with conditions
Benefits that add value but come with strings attached.
$100 United travel credit after $10K spend
After $10,000 in calendar-year purchases, receive a $100 statement credit toward United Airlines purchases charged to your card.
$10K per calendar year is $833/month. Only realistic if this is your primary card for everyday spending.
Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS credit
One statement credit every four years for an eligible Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee.
$120 max every 4 years. Useful if you need an application or renewal—not recurring annual cash value.
$60 Annual rideshare credit
Up to $60 in annual rideshare credits with qualifying providers.
Details vary by merchant and terms. Enrollment may be required.
$120 Annual Instacart credits
Up to $120 in annual Instacart statement credits ($10/month).
Enrollment required. We rate Coupon Book 3/5 because the monthly Instacart credit and annual rideshare credit require tracking enrollments and recurring uses; unused monthly credits do not roll over.
Tier 3 · Expected card basics
Standard United card and Chase protections.
Priority boarding United perk
Board in Group 2 on United-operated flights—ahead of general boarding.
25% back on inflight purchases United perk
25% statement credit on United inflight food and beverage purchases.
No foreign transaction fees Travel baseline
No issuer foreign-transaction fee on purchases abroad.
Auto rental collision damage waiver Primary outside U.S.
Primary coverage outside the U.S.; secondary within the U.S. for most rentals.
Trip cancellation and interruption Travel baseline
Coverage for eligible prepaid travel canceled or interrupted for covered reasons.
Trip delay and baggage protections Travel baseline
Trip delay reimbursement and baggage delay/loss insurance; terms apply.
Comparison method: Entry-level airline co-branded cards including Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold ($0 first year, then $150) and Citi AA Platinum Select ($0 first year, then $99); official public pages reviewed in July 2026.
Earning rates
3X on United, 2X on dining and hotels—a strong everyday mix.
Rates shown are total United MileagePlus miles per dollar on eligible purchases. Merchant coding and Chase terms control.
United Airlines purchases
Flights, seat upgrades, and inflight purchases with United. Combines with member miles for up to 9X total.
Dining including eligible delivery services
At restaurants worldwide, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
Hotels booked directly
Hotel stays booked directly with the hotel—not through third-party sites.
All other purchases
One mile per dollar on purchases not eligible for a higher rate.
Credit interaction: MileagePlus miles are United-specific and not transferable to other airline programs. Miles can be redeemed for United and Star Alliance partner flights with no blackout dates.
United MileagePlus program
One of the largest U.S. airlines with Star Alliance global reach.
United MileagePlus is the loyalty program of United Airlines. Miles can be redeemed for United-operated flights and Star Alliance partner awards across 26 member airlines. MileagePlus uses dynamic award pricing with no published award chart. MileagePlus miles do not expire.
Key benefit
Star Allianceglobal network
MileagePlus miles access United network plus 26 Star Alliance partners.
Redeem MileagePlus miles on United Airlines and partner carriers including Lufthansa, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Swiss, and more. United offers the Excursionist Perk—a free one-way award segment within select multi-city itineraries. Explorer cardholders also receive expanded saver award availability on select United flights.
United hubs
Where United operates the most flights.
- Chicago (ORD)
- Denver (DEN)
- Houston (IAH)
- Newark (EWR)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
Star Alliance partners
Key airline partners accessible with MileagePlus miles.
- Air Canada
- ANA
- Lufthansa
- Singapore Airlines
- Swiss
- Turkish Airlines
- Avianca
- EVA Air
United Explorer at a glance
What this card gets you on every United flight.
- Free first checked bag
- Priority boarding (Group 2)
- 2 United Club one-time passes/year
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- 3X on United purchases
- Expanded saver award availability
United card family
How this card compares to other United cards.
- Gateway: $0 fee, no bags, no boarding perks
- Explorer: $150, free checked bag, 2 Club passes
- Quest: $350, credits, PQP earning, bag perks
- Club: $695, full United Club membership
Sources and methodology
Sources for this page
- Last checked: July 30, 2026
Reader feedback