United Explorer gives you travel rewards, airport lounge access, and perks tied to United Airlines flights
The United Explorer Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with United Airlines. It earns points on United purchases and other spending, includes access to United Club passes, and waives certain United fees. The card comes in two versions: the standard United Explorer Card and the United Explorer Card Business, each with different annual fees and earning rates.
This guide walks through what each version includes, what it costs, and how the rewards and benefits actually work in practice. The card is designed for people who fly United regularly or want to build United miles for future travel.
Key Takeaways
- Both versions earn bonus points on United purchases and dining, plus 1 point per dollar on all other spending, but the business version earns at higher rates.
- The standard card costs $60 per year; the business card costs $450 per year, and each includes an annual United Club pass credit that offsets part of the fee.
- New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus of points after meeting a spending threshold, though the exact amount varies by offer period.
- The card includes United-specific benefits like waived baggage fees for the cardholder and when ready family, seat upgrades, and checked bag fee waivers.
- Points can be redeemed for United flights, but also transferred to hotel and car rental partners, or used for other travel purchases through the rewards program.
Annual Fees and What They Cover
The standard United Explorer Card charges $60 per year. Each year, you receive a $100 United Club pass credit, which means the card effectively costs you $0 if you use the pass once. United Club passes normally cost $100 to $200 depending on the location and type, so this credit has real value if you visit airport lounges.
The United Explorer Card Business costs $450 per year and includes a $100 United Club pass credit annually, plus a $100 statement credit toward United purchases every year after your first year. That $100 credit applies to tickets, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other United charges, so it reduces your net cost to $250 after the first year.
Both cards waive the United baggage fee for the primary cardholder and up to two when ready family members traveling on the same ticket. This alone saves $35 to $70 per round trip for a family of three, which can offset the annual fee within a few trips.
Earning Points on Purchases
The standard United Explorer Card earns 2 points per dollar on United purchases (flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees) and dining at restaurants. It earns 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. There is no category cap, so you can earn on unlimited spending.
The business version earns 3 points per dollar on United purchases and 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, and phone services, plus 1 point per dollar on everything else. The higher earning rates make the business card more valuable if you spend heavily on United or those specific business categories.
New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus after spending a set amount within the first few months. The bonus amount changes based on current promotions, so check the current offer before explore. You must meet the spending requirement to receive the bonus; it does not post automatically.
United-Specific Travel Benefits
The card waives the first checked bag fee for you and up to two when ready family members on the same reservation. This applies to United flights only. The fee is normally $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second, so a family of three saves $105 per round trip.
You receive a 2% mileage bonus on all United flights purchased with the card. This means if you earn 10,000 miles on a flight, the card adds 200 bonus miles. The bonus applies whether you buy the ticket with points or cash.
The card includes United Club passes. The standard card gives you one pass per year as a statement credit; the business card gives you a $100 credit annually. United Club passes grant access to airport lounges where you can use Wi-Fi, eat, and rest before flights. Each pass is typically good for one visit or a set time period depending on the type.
Cardholders receive priority boarding, which means you board before most other passengers. This gives you better overhead bin space and lets you settle in earlier. Priority boarding applies to flights you purchase with the card or with points.
How Points Convert to Travel
Points are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program. One point equals one mile in most cases. You can use miles to book United flights at the standard award chart rates, which vary by route and season. Off-peak flights cost fewer miles than peak travel dates.
You can also transfer points to hotel and car rental partners at a conversion rate that varies by partner. Some transfers offer bonus miles — for example, transferring to a hotel partner might give you 1.25 miles for every point transferred. Check the transfer rates before moving points, as they are not always favorable.
Points can be used for seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other United purchases through your account. You can also redeem points for cash back at a lower rate than travel redemption, though this is generally not the best use of the points.
Comparing the Standard and Business Cards
| Feature | Standard Card | Business Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $60 | $450 |
| United Club Pass Credit | $100 per year | $100 per year |
| United Purchase Credit | None | $100 per year (after year 1) |
| Points on United Purchases | 2 per dollar | 3 per dollar |
| Points on Dining | 2 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Points on Other Purchases | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Baggage Fee Waiver | Yes, for cardholder + 2 family members | Yes, for cardholder + 2 family members |
| Priority Boarding | Yes | Yes |
| 2% Mileage Bonus | Yes | Yes |
Choose the standard card if you fly United occasionally and want basic rewards and lounge access. The $60 annual fee is low, and the $100 club pass credit makes it nearly free if you use the pass.
Choose the business card if you fly United frequently, spend heavily on business services, or want the extra $100 annual United purchase credit. The $450 fee is steep, but the higher earning rates and credits can offset it if you spend enough on United and business categories.
Points Expiration and Account Rules
United miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Account activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or making a purchase with a United co-branded credit card. This means holding the card and using it keeps your miles active indefinitely.
If your account goes inactive for 24 months, United may close the account and forfeit your miles. To keep the account open, you can make a small purchase with the card, transfer points in or out, or book a flight — any of these counts as activity.
Points earned from the card are added to your MileagePlus account within a few days of the purchase posting. Bonus points from sign-up offers post after you meet the spending requirement, usually within one billing cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a frequent United flyer to make this card worth it?
No. Even occasional flyers benefit from the baggage fee waiver and the lounge pass credit. If you fly United two or three times per year with a family, the baggage savings alone cover the annual fee. The points you earn on everyday spending add up over time and can fund a future trip.
Can I use the United Club pass credit if I don't fly that month?
Yes. The $100 credit is a statement credit that posts to your account once per year. You can use it for any United Club pass type, whether you fly that day or not. Some passes are valid for 30 days, others for a full year, so you have flexibility in when you use it.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your MileagePlus account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, if you do not use the account for 24 months after closing the card, United may deactivate it and forfeit the miles. Keep the account active by transferring points or booking a flight occasionally.
Can I earn points on flights I book with miles instead of cash?
Yes. You earn the 2% mileage bonus on any United flight booked with the card, whether you pay with cash or redeem miles. You also earn points on any taxes or fees charged to the card. The earning rate is the same as a cash purchase.
Is the sign-up bonus worth meeting the spending requirement?
Usually yes, but it depends on the bonus amount and your normal spending. The bonus typically ranges from 50,000 to 70,000 miles depending on the current offer. If you can meet the spending requirement within three months through normal purchases, the bonus is worth pursuing. If you have to spend beyond your normal budget to reach it, the value may not justify the extra spending.