United Explorer Card Overview
this United ℠Explorer Card (See Fees and Fees) is not your average airline credit card, as it comes with premium allowances that are usually seen from older credit cards. This card is a great option for those who don’t fly with United Airlines often but want to enjoy quality privileges while flying. If you don’t want to pay as much annual fees as the ones on United’s more premium cards, you should consider Explorer. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card ratings are based on the opinions of TPG editors and are not affected by the card issuer.
The introductory annual fee for the United Explorer card is $0 for the first year, then $150 and offers many benefits.
In addition to the usual airline credit card allowances such as free check bags and priority boarding bags, United Explorer has a few premium level benefits. It was refreshed in March, which included adding statement points. However, it also increased its annual fee by nearly 50%.
United Explorer’s recommended credit score is at least 670, but not unheard of lower scores.
Here’s what you need to know about the card, its benefits and whether it should have a place in your wallet.
Pros and cons of the Joint Explorer
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United Explorer Welcome Offer
New applicants United Explorer Card In the first three months after the account is opened, you can earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 miles after purchasing $3,000. This is a typical welcome bonus we see on this card.
Plus, you can earn an additional 10,000 miles when your account is open when you add an authorized user within the first three months.
TPG’s August 2025 valuation Peg Uniess hit this welcome offer at 1.3 cents, worth $780 (excluding the potential miles you can earn from adding authorized users).
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It is important to note that the card complies with Chase’s 5/24 rules. Also, if you have received one on this card in the past 24 months, you will receive a welcome bonus.
Related: The best welcome offer for the month
The welfare of the United Explorer
this United Explorer Card Provides good privileges for frequent and occasional joint flyers.
United Club Pass
For each cardholder anniversary year, you will receive a pair of one-time United Club Passes stored in your United Mileageplus account. The value of this income alone is worth $118 per year, as the one-day pass for the lounge sells for $59 per year, and the same-day boarding pass.
Please note that if the primary cardholder or authorized user also enters the lounge, friends or family members can only use one of your passes.
TPG credit card editor Olivia Mittak found the huge value this card offers in the United Club; as long as she flies with Star Alliance Airlines twice a year, she can almost recover the cost of the annual interest rate. United Club Pass is available whenever you fly on any Star Alliance airline.
Related: First Look: United Airlines debuts at the new club in Denver
Elitelike allowance
- Free check bags: For the primary cardholder and a travel companion when booking with the card
- Prime Minister’s visit: Includes priority check-in, safety screening, check-in and luggage handling
- Expand reward availability: Access to additional savings bonus ticket availability
- On-board discount: 25% of people purchase joint on-board purchases, including food, beverages and Wi-Fi. Plus, get 25% of premium drink purchases at United Club.
- Reward Mileage Discount: Ability to receive a 10,000-mile bonus ticket discount after spending $20,000 with the card per calendar year
This card has a lot of value if getting a free check bag and a pair of United Club passes can improve your travel experience with the airline.
Statement and Travel Credits
- Hotel statement credit: Rebate up to $50 as a declared credit when using Explorer card and booking directly through United Hotels
- Car credit: Buy up to $60 by car and up to $5 monthly credits (requires activation)
- JSX statement credit: When booking directly with JSX, JSX declares credits up to $100
- Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus Credit: Application fee every four years, up to $120
- Instacart Credit: $10 per month InstaCart credit plus three months of free Instacart+ membership (as of December 31, 2027)
- United Travel Bank Cash: Up to $25 in United Travelbank cash for your first and second Avis and budget car rentals and pay via CARS.UNITED.com and pay with that card
- United Travel Credit: $100 United Travel Bank cash after spending at least $10,000 on using the card
Elite status shortcuts
United Elite status eligibility is based on primary qualification points and Prime Minister’s qualification flights. You will earn 1 pqp for every $20 using the Explorer card (up to 1,000 PQPs for calendar year) that can be used to your overall status eligibility up to the Prime Minister’s 1K level.
Travel and purchase protection
In the case of United Explorer, you will receive a variety of travel and purchase protection benefits, including:
doordash
For a year, get free Doordash Dashpass, get unlimited delivery via Doordash and Caviar, and get a $0 delivery fee and a lower service fee on qualified orders. After 12 months, you will automatically register in Dashpass for the current price of $9.99 per month. You must register by December 31, 2027 to receive this benefit.
Instacart+ Membership
Cardholders receive a free three-month Instacart+ membership, which includes unlimited delivery and a $0 delivery fee for qualified orders. Three months later, memberships are automatically updated at a lower annual rate, including a 25% discount.
With all these benefits in mind, the $150 annual fee for the second year and beyond seems worth it.
Related: Why I’m actually upset about the change of United Explorer
Earn miles with United Explorer
As a cardholder, you will earn:
- Spend at least 7 miles on a joint flight
- Spend 5 miles per dollar at a prepaid United Hotel
- Other joint purchases, other hotel accommodation and dining are spent on 2 miles per dollar
- Spend 1 mile per dollar
According to TPG’s August 2025 valuation, this is almost equivalent to 9.1%, 6.5%, 2.6% and 1.3% of the expenditure.
These are the excellent revenue rates United buys, which are the best on the market. However, for other reward categories (such as catering, hotels, and daily expenses), the earning rate is insufficient and there are better card options in the market.
Related: My Top 3 Drafts for Best Shared Hotel Credit Cards
Redeem mileage with United Explorer
You can redeem miles across Manchester United’s vast domestic and international route network as well as the airline’s 24-star alliance and 15 non-business airline partners.
United uses a dynamic pricing structure on its own flights, so the value of your mileage will vary when redeeming the joint awards. Domestic economic awards usually start at just 5,000 miles one way, but we have seen sales as low as 3,900 miles.
We recommend avoiding your Manchester United mileage and avoiding non-flying redemptions such as hotel accommodation or merchandise as they offer a poor value proposition.
Related: How to Get Maximum Value from United MileagePlus Plan
Which card competes with United Explorer?
Several cards and United Explorer:
- If you want an advanced joint experience: this United Club Card (See rates and fees) is the ideal card for United Lounge Access – bar none. For any faithful joint flyer that spends a lot of money on airlines each year, this card will add a lot to your wallet. To learn more, read our full review of United Club Cards.
- If you want more all-round cards: this Chase Sapphire Priority® Card (See rates and fees) is one of the most popular travel reward credit cards on the market. It offers bonus points in a variety of categories, including travel and dining, as well as a range of travel protections in case of problems while traveling. Additionally, you will have access to Chase’s list of excellent transfer partners that provide the most value when redeeming points. To learn more, read our full review of sapphire preferences.
- If you want a lot of privileges: American Express Platinum Card® It is one of the advanced travel reward cards. As a card person, you will receive valuable membership reward points, useful annual statement points, and an extensive network of airport lounges around the world as this card provides the best lounge access on the market. Admission is required to obtain selected benefits; terms and conditions apply. To learn more, read our full review of Amex Platinum.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best United Travel Cards and Best Airline Cards.
Related: Is the annual fee of the United Club Card worth it?
Is the United Explorer worth it?
If you fly at least annually with the Federation or its partners, we recommend you apply for the United Explorer. With several declared credits, lounge passes and a free check-in bag, United Explorer Card Crowded with privileges, travel can be enhanced from beginning to end.
Bottom line
The United Explorer card is not your general aviation credit card. Its earning rate is comparable to the stock Manchester United mileage, and you can redeem future trips and a range of benefits.
This mid-tier card ($150 a year after that) has a high value for the mid-tier card, as long as you take advantage of its lounge pass and state credit.
With these things in mind, this card will add an important addition to the wallets of most Manchester United flying people.
Apply here: United Explorer Card
