The United Explorer Card gives you travel rewards, airport lounge access, and trip protections built into the card itself
The United Explorer Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with United Airlines. When you open this card, you receive a set of benefits that come with your account — you do not have to do anything extra to unlock most of them. The main categories are earning rates on purchases, United-specific perks like checked bag credits, lounge access, and protections that cover travel disruptions.
This guide walks through what each benefit actually does, how to use it, and what situations it covers. The card comes in two versions: the standard United Explorer Card and the United Explorer Card Business. The benefits differ slightly between them, and some require you to meet an annual spending threshold to keep them active.
Key Takeaways
- You earn 2x points on United purchases and dining, 1x on everything else, and receive a 50,000-point welcome bonus after you spend $5,000 in the first three months.
- The card includes an annual $100 United statement credit that covers airfare, seat upgrades, or baggage fees on United flights.
- You get complimentary access to United Club passes and select airport lounges, plus Priority Pass Select membership for lounges worldwide.
- Trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage coverage, and emergency medical and dental coverage protect you if travel goes wrong.
- The annual fee is $325 for the standard card and $550 for the business version, but the statement credit and other perks offset some of that cost.
How the points earning structure works
Every purchase you make with the United Explorer Card earns points, and the rate depends on what you buy. You earn 2x points per dollar on United Airlines purchases (flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees) and on dining at restaurants and bars. You earn 1x point per dollar on all other purchases. These points are called United MileagePlus points and they live in your United MileagePlus account, not just on the card.
When you first open the card, you receive a welcome bonus of 50,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months. That spending threshold includes all purchases, not just travel or dining. The points you earn never expire as long as your MileagePlus account stays active, which it does as long as you have any United card or fly United at least once every 18 months.
You can use points to book United flights, upgrade your seat, pay for baggage fees, or transfer them to United's partner airlines and hotels. The redemption value varies — sometimes you get more value by booking a flight outright than by redeeming points for the same flight, so it pays to compare before you book.
The $100 annual statement credit and how to use it
Every year, the card automatically gives you a $100 statement credit that you can use toward United purchases. This credit posts to your account on your card anniversary (the date you opened the card) and expires 12 months later. You do not have to request it or enroll in anything — it happens automatically.
The credit covers airfare, seat upgrades, baggage fees, pet fees, and other charges that appear on your United Airlines bill. It does not cover purchases from third-party travel sites or airline partners. To use it, book your United purchase as you normally would, and the $100 credit will reduce your bill at checkout if you pay with the United Explorer Card.
The credit is one-time per year and does not roll over. If you do not use it in the 12-month window, it disappears. Many cardholders use it to cover a baggage fee or seat upgrade on a flight they were already planning to book, which effectively reduces the annual $325 fee.
Lounge access and how it works at the airport
The United Explorer Card includes two types of lounge access. First, you get complimentary access to United Club passes — you can visit a United Club lounge at most major U.S. airports when you fly United. Second, you receive Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide, including many outside the United network.
To use United Club access, show your card at the lounge entrance on the day you fly United. You do not need to reserve ahead. Priority Pass works the same way — you read the Priority Pass app, find a participating lounge near your gate, and present your membership. Both benefits cover you and one companion traveling with you on the same ticket.
Lounge access is useful if you have a long layover, want to work before your flight, or need a quiet space away from the gate area. Lounges typically offer free food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and charging stations. Some Priority Pass lounges charge a day pass fee even with membership, so check the app before you go in.
Trip protections that cover delays, lost bags, and medical emergencies
The card includes several protections that cover you if something goes wrong during your trip. Trip delay reimbursement covers meals and lodging if your flight is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay. The card reimburses up to $300 per person, up to $600 per trip, for reasonable expenses like a hotel room or meals.
Baggage delay coverage reimburses you for essential items if your checked bag is delayed more than 12 hours. You can claim up to $100 per day for up to five days. Lost luggage reimbursement covers the full value of your bag and contents if the airline loses it permanently, up to $2,500 per bag and $2,500 per trip.
The card also includes emergency medical and dental coverage if you need urgent care while traveling more than 100 miles from home. It covers up to $250,000 in emergency medical expenses and up to $500 in emergency dental work. Travel accident insurance covers you and your when ready family if you are injured or killed while traveling on a common carrier.
To file a claim on any of these protections, contact Chase directly with your receipt, airline documentation, or medical records. Each protection has its own claim important date, usually 90 days from the incident, so keep your documentation and file promptly.
Other perks: seat upgrades, Global Entry, and purchase protections
The United Explorer Card includes a complimentary United Club Pass each year on your card anniversary. This is a single-use pass that lets you visit a United Club lounge even if you are not flying that day. It is separate from your regular lounge access and useful if you want to visit a lounge for a meeting or to work.
You also receive a $100 credit toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS enrollment. These programs let you skip the security line at U.S. airports. The credit applies to the process fee, which is $100 for Global Entry and $78 to $85 for TSA PreCheck. The credit renews every four years, so you can reapply without paying out of pocket.
Purchase protections include extended warranty coverage on items you buy with the card, purchase protection if something is damaged or stolen within 90 days, and return protection if a merchant refuses a return. These are standard credit card protections and work the same way as on most premium cards.
What the annual fee covers and whether it makes sense for you
The United Explorer Card charges a $325 annual fee, which posts to your account on your card anniversary. The business version charges $550. These fees are not waived in the first year — you pay them starting when ready after you open the card.
The $100 statement credit offsets $100 of the annual fee right away. The $100 Global Entry credit offsets another $100 every four years. If you use the complimentary United Club Pass and Priority Pass lounge access regularly, the value adds up quickly — a single lounge visit can cost $30 to $50 if you paid out of pocket. The trip protections and purchase protections have real value if you travel frequently and something goes wrong.
Whether the card makes sense depends on how much you fly United, how often you visit lounges, and whether you value the protections. If you fly United at least a few times per year and use the statement credit, the card often pays for itself. If you rarely fly or never use lounges, the annual fee may not be worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to spend a certain amount each year to keep the benefits?
No annual spending requirement exists for the standard United Explorer Card. The welcome bonus requires $5,000 in spending within three months, but after that, you keep all benefits as long as your account stays open and you pay the annual fee. The business version also has no ongoing spending requirement.
Can I use the $100 statement credit on a flight booked through a travel website?
No. The credit only works for purchases made directly through United Airlines or the United app. Flights booked through Expedia, Kayak, or other third-party sites do not may have access to. You must book directly with United to use the credit.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your United MileagePlus account and do not disappear when you close the card. As long as your MileagePlus account remains active, you can use those points to book flights or redeem them. Your account stays active if you fly United or have another United card.
Does the lounge access cover my family members?
Yes. Both United Club and Priority Pass access cover you and one companion traveling with you on the same ticket. Children traveling with you count as your companion. If you travel with more than one other person, only one additional person can enter the lounge with you.
How do I file a claim for trip delay or lost baggage?
Contact Chase directly with your receipt, airline documentation, and proof of expenses. Most claims must be filed within 90 days of the incident. Chase will ask for your itemized receipts and airline confirmation of the delay or loss before they process reimbursement.