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United℠ Explorer Card review: Friendlier skies for loyal United passengers

Updated:

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113 reviews from Intuit Credit Karma members

3.8

Rating: 3.8 out of 5.

Editors’ Take: This card offers travelers who regularly fly United perks like free checked bags, in-flight discounts and priority boarding. But there’s no companion fare offer. 

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Great for airport perks

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Annual fee: $0 intro, then $95 after first year

The average credit score for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is 715

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $14,590

Explore more about this card:

Here’s the average credit limit of members who matched their United℠ Explorer Card or similar cards.

% of members by credit limit range

$0-$3K $3K-$5K $5K-$10K $10K-$20K $20K+ 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 10% 9% 22% 34% 24%
$0-$3K $3K-$5K $5K-$10K $10K-$20K $20K+ 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 10% 9% 22% 34% 24%
$0-$3K $3K-$5K $5K-$10K $10K-$20K $20K+ 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 10% 9% 22% 34% 24%

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $14,590, with $2,000 being the most common.

Here’s the average credit score of members who matched their United℠ Explorer Card or similar cards.

% of members by credit score range

Thin file Poor Fair Good Excellent 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 2% 14% 14% 40% 30%
Thin file Poor Fair Good Excellent 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 2% 14% 14% 40% 30%
Thin file Poor Fair Good Excellent 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 2% 14% 14% 40% 30%

The average credit score for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is 715, with 809 being the most common. Note this is just one of the deciding factors when it comes to getting approved.

This content is curated by Intuit Credit Karma’s Editorial team using data from members who were approved for this card or similar cards, or who self-matched this card or similar cards. Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse this content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.


Member stats

Updated daily

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28.8%

Average credit utilization (or what percent of the card’s credit limit is being used) of members who matched with this card or similar cards.

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43 years

Average age of members who matched this card or similar cards.

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$105,911

Average annual income of members who matched this card or similar cards. Note: Income may be estimated for some members by Credit Karma and may differ from members’ actual incomes.


Pros and cons

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Good sign-up bonus to help with flight redemptions

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Nice travel and dining rewards

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Travel perks like priority boarding and lounge passes


ConImage: Con

United’s elite status doesn’t come complimentary

ConImage: Con

No companion fare offer

ConImage: Con

Annual fee kicks in during the second year


United℠ Explorer Card review

Updated October 16, 2024

This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.

Written by: Tim Devaney


4 things you need to know about the United℠ Explorer Card

1. Score rewards flights

With the United℠ Explorer Card, you can earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 3 months your account is open.

You’ll earn two miles for every $1 you spend on qualifying purchases, including tickets, with United. You can also earn two miles per $1 for spending on restaurants, eligible delivery services and on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. And you’ll earn one mile per $1 on all other purchases.

Combined with the sign-up bonus, these rewards could be enough to cover several flights within the U.S., though it all depends on where and when you’re traveling.

2. No companion fare offer

Unfortunately, the United℠ Explorer Card doesn’t come with a companion fare offer.

A handful of United’s competitors offer this feature on their co-branded credit cards. The rules for how to get this perk vary based on the airline, but essentially it allows you to earn discounted airfare on a second ticket, and sometimes a free ticket, apart from the taxes and fees.

Without a companion ticket, you’ll have to rely on your rewards to score flights for another passenger.

3. Relax and enjoy the ride

Even though the United℠ Explorer Card doesn’t include a companion ticket (or complimentary MileagePlus Premier status, for that matter), it does come with several flight perks to make your trip more comfortable.

4. Redeeming your miles

You can use your miles to book flights or upgrade your seat on United Airlines.

According to our point valuations, as of summer 2023, United MileagePlus® miles are worth around 2.13 cents each when redeemed toward flights with United Airlines. That’s among the best valuations for airline programs.

The United℠ Explorer Card guarantees no blackout dates when you redeem miles for flights operated by United Airlines.

You can also redeem your miles for hotels, cruises, Broadway shows, gift cards and merchandise like electronics, housewares and jewelry. But you’ll probably get less value than if you use your points toward flights.

Keep in mind that the United℠ Explorer Card has a $0 annual fee during the first year of card membership. After that, you’ll have to pay a $95 annual fee. That’s not bad, but you’ll need to decide if the value of the rewards you can earn with the card outweighs the cost.

Who this card is good for

The United℠ Explorer Card can be a great, cost-effective option for passengers who frequently fly with United Airlines. This card can help you save money, travel more comfortably and build loyalty status with the airline.

Those who fly with United only once or twice a year, or who prefer airline flexibility, might want to opt for a more versatile travel credit card. Ultimately, the value of the United℠ Explorer Card depends on how likely you are to redeem earned miles for flights on the airline.

Not sure this card is right for you? Consider these alternatives.

If you don’t fly with United Airlines on a regular basis, you might want to check out one of these other travel credit cards instead.


Member reviews

Overall rating:

3.8

Rating: 3.8 out of 5.

113 reviews from Intuit Credit Karma members

Most helpful positive review

February 26, 2024

5

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Great for United travel

Credit Karma Member

Great approval process, quick build up of United mileage. I use my card for ALL payments, utilities, grocery, gas, etc which then gives me more mileage to my United account. I travel at least 4 times a year with 2 flights to the UK annually. Best card I have ever had that helps me with my United flight costs!

Most helpful negative review

July 18, 2023

1

Rating: 1 out of 5.

This is the worst card ever

Credit Karma Member

I had this card for a while but one thing made us to cancel it and don’t use it anymore. Last summer we traveled to Greece and try to rent a car but we found some thing wrong on this car, so we decided don’t use it, but we already gave them my credit card number, so even we don’t rent this car but they still charged us, we disputed charge but they still charged back, we called credit card company several times but they still charged us, the credit card company don’t even protect the customer and help cheating company. So we cancelled card and don’t use any Chase credit card anymore

All member reviews