Key Points

• The Chase United Explorer Card offers free checked bags, priority boarding, and 2x miles on United purchases plus dining and hotels.
• The 60,000-mile welcome bonus after $3,000 spend is enough for a domestic round-trip ticket or contributes toward international premium cabin awards.
• Best for United loyalists flying 3+ times annually who'll offset the $95 fee through free checked bags and earning accelerated miles.

Introduction

The Chase United Explorer Card targets United Airlines flyers with a straightforward value proposition: free checked bags, priority boarding, and accelerated mileage earning in exchange for a $95 annual fee. If you're flying United even 3-4 times yearly, the free checked bag benefit alone typically justifies the cost. Add 2x miles on United purchases and dining, plus the opportunity to build toward United's valuable award redemptions, and this card becomes essential for anyone considering themselves a United flyer. Let's break down exactly who benefits most from this card and how its perks stack up against competing airline cards.

Quick Summary

Best For: Regular United flyers taking 3+ trips annually
Standout Benefit: Free first checked bag worth $35 per flight per person
Biggest Drawback: Benefits locked to United Airlines only
Current Offer: 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months

Apply for the Chase United Explorer Card

Chase United Explorer Card Overview

Chase partnered with United Airlines to create the Explorer as their mid-tier co-branded card. It sits between the no-annual-fee Gateway card and the premium Quest and Club Infinite cards, offering the essential United benefits most flyers want without ultra-premium pricing.

The card earns United MileagePlus miles that work exclusively within United's program and Star Alliance partners. You'll redeem miles for United flights, partner airline tickets through United, or hotel stays and other travel through MileagePlus. Unlike flexible programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, these miles lock you into United's award chart and availability.

The current welcome offer provides 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months. That's enough for a domestic round-trip in economy or a solid contribution toward United's Excursionist Perk for international travel. United miles typically value around 1.2-1.4 cents each, making this bonus worth $720-840 in travel value.

Key Features and Benefits

Free Checked Bags

The primary benefit saving most cardholders money: free first checked bag for you and one companion on the same reservation when you use your Explorer card to purchase tickets. United charges $35 for the first checked bag on domestic flights, meaning:

One round-trip with checked bags: $70 savings
Three round-trips annually: $210 savings
Four round-trips with a companion: $560 savings

The benefit applies to all United and United Express flights. Both you and your traveling companion get free checked bags when on the same reservation, even if they're not cardholders. For families or couples traveling together, this multiplies savings quickly.

Priority Boarding

Board in Group 2 on all United flights, jumping ahead of most economy passengers. While not as valuable as free bags, priority boarding ensures overhead bin space and reduces the stress of searching for space to stow carry-ons. Particularly valuable during full flights when boarding late often means gate-checking bags.

United MileagePlus Earning

The Explorer earns at different rates depending on purchase type:

2x miles per dollar on United purchases. This includes tickets, seat selection fees, checked bag fees (if paying for additional bags), and in-flight purchases. A $500 United ticket earns 1,000 miles.

2x miles per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide. Food delivery services, bars, and restaurants all earn the bonus rate. Spending $400 monthly on dining earns 9,600 miles annually.

2x miles per dollar on hotel accommodations booked directly or through qualifying booking channels. This captures hotel stays regardless of chain, providing flexibility for business and leisure travel.

1x mile per dollar on all other purchases. The base rate applies to groceries, gas, utilities, and general spending.

Additional Travel Benefits

Two United Club passes annually provide one-time access to United Club lounges. United Club day passes normally cost $59, making these passes worth $118 annually. Use them during international flights or long layovers when you want food, drinks, and comfortable seating.

25% back on United in-flight purchases when paying with your Explorer card. Buy food, beverages, or Wi-Fi onboard United flights and receive a statement credit for 25% of the purchase within 2-3 billing cycles. The discount applies after earning miles, so you're earning 2x miles and getting 25% back.

No foreign transaction fees saves 3% on international purchases. Use the card abroad without penalty fees reducing your mileage earning.

Primary rental car coverage protects against damage and theft up to the actual cash value of most rental cars worldwide. Being primary coverage means filing claims with Chase first, not your personal auto insurance.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance covers up to $1,500 per person, $6,000 per trip if you need to cancel or cut a trip short for covered reasons like illness or severe weather.

Baggage delay insurance reimburses up to $100 per day for essentials if your bags are delayed more than 6 hours.

Path to United Elite Status

While the Explorer card itself doesn't grant elite status, it helps build toward it. You'll earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) on all United flights purchased with the card, and the 2x earning rate on United purchases accumulates miles faster toward status thresholds. For flyers close to reaching Silver or Gold status, this accelerated earning can make the difference.

Real-World Value Calculation

Let's examine actual savings and earning for a typical Explorer cardholder:

Annual spending and earning:

• $3,000 on United flights: 6,000 miles
• $4,800 on dining ($400/month): 9,600 miles
• $2,000 on hotels: 4,000 miles
• $10,000 on other purchases: 10,000 miles
• Total annual earning: 29,600 miles worth $355-414

Add the 60,000-mile welcome bonus ($720-840 value), and first-year total reaches $1,075-1,254 from a $95 card.

Annual fee offset through benefits:

• Free checked bags (3 round-trips with companion): $420
• Two United Club passes: $118
• 25% back on in-flight purchases (6 flights): ~$30
• Total benefit value: $568

For someone taking three round-trips with a partner and using the Club passes, effective annual cost becomes negative $473 after $95 fee.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Free checked bags provide immediate, tangible value. Unlike complicated airline credits or hard-to-use benefits, the Explorer's checked bag benefit works automatically when you buy tickets with the card. Three round-trips with a travel companion saves $420 annually, covering 4+ years of annual fees with one benefit.

Priority boarding reduces travel stress consistently. Knowing you'll board early and find overhead bin space makes every flight more comfortable. For frequent flyers, this small perk compounds into significant quality-of-life improvement over dozens of flights.

The 2x dining category captures everyday spending beyond United flights. Most people can't control airline spending volume, but dining represents consistent monthly expenses. The bonus rate ensures you're earning United miles even when not traveling.

Two annual United Club passes provide premium lounge access. Use them during international flights or when facing long layovers, and you're getting $118 value from a benefit many travelers appreciate but won't pay for separately. The food, drinks, and comfortable seating make long travel days more bearable.

Primary rental car coverage saves money and hassle. The coverage typically saves $15-30 per rental day versus buying the rental company's insurance, and being primary means you avoid involving your personal auto insurance for claims.

Cons

Benefits lock you into United's network. If you need to fly American, Delta, or Southwest for a particular route, your Explorer card provides no advantages. Unlike flexible points programs transferring to multiple airlines, United miles work exclusively with United and Star Alliance partners.

The $95 annual fee requires regular United flying to justify. Taking 0-2 United flights annually makes the fee harder to offset through free checked bags. Light United flyers should consider the no-fee Gateway card instead, accepting fewer benefits for zero annual cost.

United's award availability can frustrate during peak travel times. Having miles doesn't guarantee finding award seats when you want to travel. Major holidays, summer vacation weeks, and popular routes often show limited or no saver award space, forcing you into expensive or inconvenient options.

The 2x earning rate is good but not exceptional. Some airline cards offer 3x on their airline purchases, and the Explorer's 2x dining rate matches numerous non-airline cards. You're getting solid earning, not industry-leading acceleration.

No elite status benefits directly from the card. While earning helps build toward status, you don't receive any elite perks automatically. Cards like the United Quest and Club Infinite provide immediate benefits like free upgrades and expanded award availability that the Explorer lacks.

How the Explorer Compares

Versus United Gateway Card

The Gateway charges no annual fee and earns 2x miles on United, gas stations, and transit. It provides the same United earning without annual cost but lacks free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge passes. Choose Gateway if taking 0-2 United flights yearly. Pick Explorer when free checked bags and priority boarding justify the $95 fee through regular travel.

Versus United Quest Card

The Quest charges $250 annually but offers 3x on United (versus Explorer's 2x), two upgraded boarding passes annually, and a $125 annual United purchase credit. Choose Quest if spending $8,000+ on United annually or wanting stronger United-specific benefits. Pick Explorer for better value at moderate United spending levels.

Versus Southwest Rapid Rewards Cards

Southwest cards range from $69-149 annually and offer free checked bags plus Companion Pass earning opportunities. Choose Southwest cards if you fly Southwest exclusively and value the Companion Pass. Pick Explorer if United's network serves your cities better or you prefer Star Alliance award redemptions.

Versus Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Sapphire Preferred charges $95 and offers 2x on general travel including United flights, but no United-specific perks. Choose Sapphire Preferred for flexibility across airlines and the ability to transfer points to United or other partners. Pick Explorer when you're committed to United flying and want free checked bags.

Versus Delta SkyMiles Gold Card

The Delta Gold charges $150 (currently waived first year) and provides free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 2x miles on Delta and dining. Choose Delta Gold if you're a Delta flyer in their network. Pick Explorer for United's network or if you prefer Star Alliance redemption options.

Who Should Get the Explorer

Great Fit For:

United flyers taking 3+ trips annually. At this flight frequency, free checked bags alone offset the annual fee. Add priority boarding and lounge passes, and the card delivers clear value. If United serves your primary routes well, this card becomes essential.

Those building United miles for specific award goals. Planning a trip to Europe or Asia using United miles? The Explorer helps accumulate miles faster through the welcome bonus and 2x earning categories. The card serves as your primary United miles-earning tool until you reach your goal.

Business travelers flying United regularly. If work frequently sends you on United flights, the Explorer ensures free checked bags and priority boarding become automatic. The 2x earning on dining during work trips adds up quickly across dozens of meals monthly.

Couples and families traveling together on United. The companion checked bag benefit multiplies savings when traveling with others. A family of three taking two trips yearly saves $420 just from free checked bags for two people per trip.

Star Alliance loyalists. United's Star Alliance membership provides access to partner airlines worldwide. Earning United miles lets you redeem for flights on Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, ANA, and other premium partners - all bookable through United's MileagePlus program.

Not Ideal For:

Light United flyers taking 0-2 trips yearly. The $95 fee becomes hard to justify when you're only using free checked bags once or twice. The no-annual-fee Gateway card provides the same United earning without the fee burden.

Travelers flying multiple airline networks. If you split flying between United, Delta, Southwest, and American based on price and routes, airline-specific benefits provide limited value. A flexible points card like Sapphire Preferred serves multi-airline travelers better.

Those prioritizing everyday spending categories. The Explorer's 1x rate on groceries, gas, and most purchases means you're leaving rewards on the table for your biggest spending categories. Without heavy United and dining spending, you'll earn more with general rewards cards.

Anyone at or over Chase's 5/24 limit. Chase automatically denies applications from people who've opened 5+ credit cards in 24 months. If you're at this limit, you can't get the Explorer regardless of United loyalty.

Travelers preferring premium cabin experiences. The Explorer lacks elite benefits that make upgrading and accessing better awards easier. If you're focused on business and first class redemptions, consider the Quest or Club Infinite cards with stronger premium travel benefits.

Application Requirements

Chase typically approves Explorer applications for people with:

• Credit scores of 690+ (good credit minimum)
• 2+ years of credit history
• Credit utilization under 30%
• Stable income and employment

The Explorer falls under Chase's 5/24 rule - automatic denial if you've opened 5+ credit cards from any issuer in 24 months. Verify your application count before applying to avoid wasting a hard inquiry.

Chase reviews recent credit activity closely. Multiple applications within a few months raises red flags about credit-seeking behavior. Space applications at least 2-3 months apart when building a card collection.

Having an existing Chase banking relationship can help approval odds. A checking or savings account for 3+ months demonstrates banking history, though millions get approved without existing accounts.

Maximizing the Explorer Card

Always book United tickets with the Explorer to trigger free checked bag benefits. Buying tickets with another card means paying $35 per bag per person per flight. This one habit saves hundreds annually for regular travelers.

Use the two annual lounge passes strategically during international flights or long layovers when you'll appreciate full lounge benefits. Don't waste them on 45-minute domestic connections where you'll barely use the lounge.

Combine with United's shopping portal for bonus miles. Book hotels, shop online, or rent cars through United's MileagePlus Shopping portal, then pay with your Explorer for 2x miles. Stack the portal bonuses with card earning for maximum accumulation.

Time large United purchases around welcome bonus periods when trying to meet spending requirements. Annual family vacations or multi-city business trips can help you reach the $3,000 threshold while earning 2x miles simultaneously.

Keep the card long-term if flying United regularly. The ongoing free checked bag benefit provides more value than the welcome bonus for frequent travelers. The card pays for itself through regular use year after year.

FAQ

Do United miles earned from the Explorer expire?

United MileagePlus miles remain active as long as you have qualifying earning or redeeming activity every 18 months. Simply having the Explorer card open with occasional purchases keeps your account active indefinitely.

Can I upgrade to the United Quest or Club Infinite later?

Yes, Chase allows product changes after 12+ months. However, upgrading doesn't earn you a new welcome bonus. Most people prefer applying for higher-tier United cards separately to capture welcome bonuses on each card.

Does the free checked bag work on basic economy tickets?

Yes, the free first checked bag benefit applies to all United fare classes including basic economy. This is one of the few ways to get free checked bags on United's most restrictive fare type.

Can I pool miles with family members?

No, United MileagePlus doesn't allow mile transfers between accounts. However, you can book award tickets for anyone using your miles, so you effectively share benefits by booking flights for family members.

Are the two United Club passes transferable?

No, the annual United Club passes are for the primary cardholder only. You can't give them to family members or friends to use independently, though you can bring two guests when you use your own passes.

How long does it take to receive the welcome bonus miles?

The 60,000 bonus miles typically post 5-7 days after meeting the $3,000 spending requirement within 3 months. Track your progress through your Chase account to ensure you meet the deadline.

Final Verdict

The Chase United Explorer Card delivers clear value for regular United flyers through its combination of free checked bags, priority boarding, and solid mileage earning. The $95 annual fee quickly pays for itself when you're taking three or more round-trips annually with checked bags, making this card essentially free for frequent United travelers.

The Explorer shines as a specialized tool in a larger rewards strategy. Use it exclusively for United purchases and dining to maximize 2x earning, while covering other spending categories with cards offering higher bonuses. The free checked bag benefit alone provides $70+ in value per round-trip, making it one of the most tangible and easily-calculated benefits in travel cards.

If United serves your primary routes well and you're flying them 3+ times yearly, the Explorer represents excellent value. The welcome bonus covers several years of annual fees, and ongoing benefits continue delivering savings flight after flight. Ready to see if you qualify? Check the current bonus offer and start earning toward your next United award redemption.

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