MoneyGeek’s Take

United Explorer Card Review

fact checked icon

Updated: June 14, 2024

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Shield Insurance

MoneyGeek partners with leading industry experts and advertisers to help you get to your financial happy place. Our content is accurate when posted but offers may change over time. We may receive compensation for partner advertisements, but our editorial team independently reviews and ranks products. Learn more about our editorial policies.

United Explorer Card
Credit Card logo for United Explorer Card
Rates & Fees
LEARN MORE
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, ...
APR
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
  • We recommend the United Explorer Card to people who wish to earn miles faster without having to pay a steep annual fee. This card comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 after that.You get to earn 2X miles per dollar on United Airlines purchases as well as on a few other bonus categories. All cardholders get access to priority boarding and may check their first bags for free on United flights. You also get up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees every four years. Using this card outside of the U.S. makes sense as it charges no foreign transaction fees.Additional benefits come in the form of 25% back on in-flight purchases, purchase protection and travel insurance coverage.
creditCardsMagnifyingGlass icon
WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

MoneyGeek used information from the credit card companies and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s database. For fair evaluation, we use standardized data points based on fees, bonuses, rewards and estimated average spending profiles. MoneyGeek conducts this review process regularly as credit card details and offers change.

If you are looking for a basic miles-earning card with a few significant travel perks, consider the United Explorer Card. Cardholders enjoy priority boarding and a free first-checked bag. This card also offers an appealing intro offer with a $0 annual fee for the first year.

After the first year, United Explorer Card features a $95 annual fee, which is more affordable than other Chase United credit cards. Cardholders can earn miles on their purchases and redeem rewards. The card also has no foreign transaction fee, allowing you to make purchases abroad without incurring additional costs.

United Explorer Card Overview

Aside from miles-earning opportunities, travel perks and no foreign transaction fees, the United Explorer Card also offers bonuses and reward programs.

>>MORE: CHASE ULTIMATE REWARDS: PROGRAM GUIDE

Quick Take

  • Up to 25% back on in-flight purchases
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
  • United Card Events
  • Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
  • Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
  • Baggage Delay insurance
  • Lost Luggage Reimbursement
  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
  • Trip Delay Reimbursement
  • Purchase Protection
  • Visa Concierge
  • Extended Warranty Protection
  • Earn Premier Qualifying Points
  • Earn MileagePlus miles
  • Contactless payment

Important Card Details

Before you apply for a Chase United Explorer card or any other credit card, make sure you understand the associated fees and rates. Take note of the APR, transaction fees, late fees and reward rates.

    fairCredit icon

    Regular APR

    The United Explorer Card does not have an introductory APR. Its regular APR for purchases, loans and balance transfers is between 21.99% - 28.99%, while the cash advance APR is 29.99%. Cardholders who fail to make a minimum payment by the due date or whose payments were returned have to pay up to a 29.99% penalty APR. These high interest rates can lead to huge expenses for individuals who struggle to properly manage their spending.

    annualFee icon

    Annual Fee

    There is an introductory $0 annual fee. New cardholders do not need to pay for the annual fee in their first year. After that, the card applies a $95 annual fee.

    rewards icon

    Miles Rewards Rate

    You can earn double the miles from United Airlines purchases, payments at restaurants and on delivery services and directly purchased hotel accommodations. Other eligible purchases allow you to earn one mile per dollar.

    money2 icon

    Penalty Fees

    Late and returned payments come with a penalty fee of up to $40.

    noForeignTransactionFee icon

    Transaction Fees

    There are no foreign transaction fees. The fee for every balance transfer is either $5 or 5% — whichever is higher. For cash advances, cardholders have to pay $10 or 5% of the amount per transaction.

Additional Benefits

Finding the best credit card requires you to consider various factors. Check all features to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible. United Explorer Card, for instance, also features security protection and accessible customer service.

  • Security Features: United Explorer Card can benefit cardholders with its comprehensive security protection. Individuals can receive rental car coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and purchase protection.
  • Contactless Payment: Cardholders can make fast and easy payments by simply tapping the card with contactless vendors.
  • Customer Satisfaction: United Explorer Cardholders can receive customer support over the phone, online or through its mobile app. You can also schedule a meeting. Additionally, Chase ranked second in J.D. Power’s 2020 National Banking Satisfaction Study.

How the United Explorer Card Compares To Other Cards

As an airline miles credit card, United Explorer Card can compete with its counterparts. It offers many opportunities to collect miles. At the same time, its lack of foreign transaction fees may make it an ideal option for international purchases. However, the United℠ Explorer card's high APR and $95 annual fee may dissuade potential applicants. Other credit cards may also offer more travel perks.

In-Depth Credit Card Comparisons:

How the United Explorer card Compares

United Explorer Card

  • Annual Fee: $0 in the first year, then $95 thereafter
  • APR for Purchases: 21.99% - 28.99% variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 0%
  • Best for: Frequent United fliers looking for a miles-earning credit card with some travel perks and no foreign transaction fees

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • APR for Purchases: 19.99% – 29.99% variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
  • Best for: Frequent travelers looking for a rewards card with intro APR and no foreign transaction fee

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average credit score needed to get approved for United Explorer Card?
Does United Explorer Card report to all three credit bureaus?
Is the United Explorer Card application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?
What information is needed to apply for United Explorer Card?
Does United Explorer Card have good customer service or satisfaction?
Does United Explorer Card have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?
Does United Explorer Card raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?
Does United Explorer Card offer the options to freeze your credit/account or have other security features?
Does Chase offer other credit cards besides United Explorer Card?

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.
Insurance
Mortgage
Credit Cards
Loans
About MoneyGeekPressPrivacy PolicySitemap
Copyright © 2024 MoneyGeek.com. All Rights Reserved Terms of Use