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

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114 reviews from Intuit Credit Karma members

3.7

Rating: 3.7 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 716

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $14,638

Explore more about this card:

• Pros and cons
• In-depth Editorial review
• Member reviews

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

% of members by credit limit range

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $14,638, 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

The average credit score for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is 716, with 812 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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28.7%

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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$106,010

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

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United’s elite status doesn’t come complimentary

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No companion fare offer

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Annual fee kicks in during the second year

United℠ Explorer Card review

Updated November 14, 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 60,000 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.

• Free checked bags: When you first get to the airport, you can check your first standard bag for free on United Airlines flights when you pay for your ticket with your card and include your MileagePlus number in your reservation. If you’re traveling with someone who’s on the same flight reservation, they can also benefit from this perk.
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus credit: You’ll receive a statement credit when you use your United℠ Explorer Card to apply for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus. You can get up to $120 in statement credits to cover your application every four years.
• Lounge access: Once you clear security, you can relax in a lounge as you wait for your flight. With the United℠ Explorer Card, you’ll receive two one-time United Club passes after account opening and every 12 months thereafter, as long as your account remains open.
• Priority boarding: When it’s time for your flight, make sure you head over to the gate early to take advantage of priority boarding for you and your companion — as long as you’re both on the same reservation. Remember to use your card to book your flight and include your MileagePlus number in your reservation if you want to get this benefit.
• Save on in-flight purchases: While you’re in the air, you can also save 25% on in-flight purchases for food, beverages and Wi-Fi when you use your United℠ Explorer Card.
• No foreign transaction fee: Finally, if your flight takes you overseas, you’ll also enjoy no foreign transaction fees on your purchases.

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.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card can be a good option for frequent flyers who don’t want to be locked into one particular airline.
• United Club℠ Infinite Card: This card offers more luxury to frequent United Airlines passengers.