Current offer
Earn 50,000 miles
After spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. In addition, enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 per year. Offer terms apply.
Compare with another card
See how this card stacks up side by side.
Current offer
Earn 50,000 miles
After spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. In addition, enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 per year. Offer terms apply.
The point.me verdict
The United℠ Explorer Card is the credits-rich starter: for a $150 fee (waived year one) it packs the MileagePlus card-member award discount, a free first checked bag for you and a companion, two United Club one-time passes, and a stack of hotel, rideshare, Instacart, and travel credits. Don't expect strong earning beyond United, just 2x hotels/dining.
What we love
- MileagePlus card-member award discount, often the biggest perk here
- Free first checked bag for you and a companion on United-operated flights
- Credits-rich for a $150 card: $100 United Hotels, $60 rideshare, $120 Instacart, $100 travel
- Two United Club one-time passes, which the rival Delta Gold doesn't offer
What we don't
- Weak earning outside United: only 2x hotels/dining, poor for building miles on non-flight spend
- $150 annual fee after the first year if you don't use the credits
United MileagePlus
MileagePlus is the frequent flier program for United Airlines and features one of the largest partner airline networks in the industry, with more than 35 partner airlines. This includes Star Alliance carriers such as Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines, along with a variety of other partners such as JetBlue, giving members considerable flexibility when redeeming miles for travel worldwide.
Rewards on this card
- 9xEligible United flightsAdvertised total; includes loyalty-program base earn
- 3xAll other eligible United® purchases
- 2xDining
- 2xHotel stays booked directly with the hotel
- 1xAll other eligible purchases
Card Benefits
Discover the perks included with this card, on top of what you earn.
- $500
Partner Credits
Receive over $500 in partner credits each year.
- $430
Free First Checked Bag
Get your first checked bag free on United® flights. Terms Apply.
- $100
United Club℠ One-Time Passes
Receive 2 United Club one-time passes per year.
- $100
Award Travel Discount (10% or More on Miles Bookings)
Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- $50
Priority Boarding
Enjoy priority boarding on United® flights.
Dollar values shown are estimates used to calculate the card’s first-year value, not the actual value of each benefit.
See what you’d earn
Set your monthly spend to see what you’d earn in year one, and what it’s worth.
Assumes caps apply per year and capped spend falls back to the base rate.
87,200 pts ≈ $1,046
Your first year in annual value
