Is the United Explorer Card worth it?
United MileagePlus · $150 annual fee
Source date June 8, 20261 recent change to this card : newest took effect Mar 24, 2025, including a cut already in effectRead them
Took effect Mar 24, 2025
In effectChase's 2025 United refresh raised the Explorer's annual fee from $95 to $150 (new applicants Mar 24, 2025; existing cardholders at renewal from Jan 1, 2026) and added coupon-style credits (United hotels, rideshare, car rental, JSX, Instacart). Award-ticket upgrades were removed Aug 1, 2025, and the two annual United Club passes can no longer be gifted: a guest must enter with you.
Source~$730Estimated first-year value
Card terms under re-review
This estimate uses the recorded bonus, counted credits, and annual fee. Recommendations are withheld until an issuer re-review is recorded. Confirm current terms and your eligibility before deciding.
We earn nothing from this one. It's a direct link to the issuer. Read the current offer and compare the costs with your needs before applying. See exactly how we picked it.
This estimate uses the same math whether we get paid or not.
- Annual fee
- $150
- Signup bonus
- 50,000 ptsafter $3,000 in 3 months
- Foreign tx fee
- None
- Credit needed
- Good to excellent (typically 700+)
Scores and offer rankings are withheld while card terms are under re-review.
Make the math yoursadjust the credits
Our estimate starts with our model's credit defaults. Tell us which credits you'd actually use and we'll re-run year one on your answers.
Estimated first-year value
$730
Card terms under re-review
This estimate reflects your inputs and the recorded terms. A recommendation is withheld pending issuer re-review.
Estimated annual value after year one (no bonus): +$80/yr : based on these inputs; actual value can differ.
Which credits will you actually use?
$120 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS credit
$120/yrOnce every ~4 years, not annual: so it's worth roughly $30/year and only if you don't already have it from another card.
$100 United travel credit
$100/yrOnly provides after you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year. Our model does not assume that spending and counts $0 by default.
$120 Instacart credit
$120/yrDrips out as a $10 statement credit each month (enrollment required); easy to forget unless you already shop Instacart.
$100 United Hotels credit
$100/yr$50 each on your first and second prepaid stays booked through United Hotels per year: only if you book hotels that way.
$60 rideshare credit
$60/yrUp to $5/month as monthly drips (enrollment required) you have to remember to trigger.
$100 JSX flight credit
$100/yrOnly on JSX, a regional semi-private carrier serving a handful of cities; near-useless if JSX isn't near you.
Two United Club one-time passes
$59/yrTwo single-visit passes per year (~$59 face each); useful only if you fly United and remember to use them.
Starting from our model's credit defaults. Tap to make it yours. Bonus and rewards valued at a conservative 1.3c/point.
We value United MileagePlus at a conservative 1.3c/point (a motivated redeemer can reach ~1.5c). United MileagePlus is dynamically priced with no award chart, so value swings. 1.3c is a fair everyday floor; Star Alliance partner awards reach a bit higher. See how we value points.
The recorded signup offer
These are recorded offer facts and labeled model estimates. Card terms under re-review; check the issuer for the current offer.
Recent typical offer
50,000 points after $3,000 spend in 3 months
Offers change constantly: this is a recent typical bonus, not a guarantee. Always verify the live offer on the issuer's site before applying.
Both bars are our planning estimates for 50,000 points. Actual redemption values can differ.
at 1.5¢/pt: our achievable estimate
at 1.3¢/pt: our conservative planning estimate
That's $100 (13%) between our estimates, with the percentage measured against the achievable estimate. The card-value calculations on this page use our planning baseline.
Chase's 5/24 rule
Chase typically won't approve you if you've opened 5 or more credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months. Check your count before you apply.
Another card to explore
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Check recorded facts and current issuer terms.
What you actually get
- Free first checked bag for you and one companion on United-operated flights
- Priority boarding for you and companions on the same reservation
- Two United Club one-time passes per year
- Expanded Award Availability: more saver award seats than non-cardholders see
- $120 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS application credit (every ~4 years)
- 25% back as a statement credit on United inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
- No foreign transaction fees
How it earns
See how it stacks up
Compare recorded fees, programs, and terms side by side. Winners are withheld while any card's terms are under re-review.
Honest answers
Do you recommend the United Explorer Card?
Where can I check the United Explorer Card offer?
The honest playbook
Before deciding on a card, consider interest, spending requirements, and how you would use the benefits.
Check current issuer terms
Offers change often, so always confirm the current bonus and fee on the issuer's own site before applying.
We earn nothing from this one. It's a direct link to the issuer. Read the current offer and compare the costs with your needs before applying. See exactly how we picked it.
Not sure it fits your trip? Run the optimizer
Sources: how we know this1 issuer source
These sources support the recorded figures and estimates. Offers change, so always confirm the current terms on the issuer's own page.
Issuer sources
Other references
How we make money, honestly: we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through one of our links, and a small commission if you book a hotel through one of our links. Both at no cost to you. Our ranking never depends on payout fields. A “pay cash” verdict earns us nothing by itself; if you then book a hotel through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Offers and terms change constantly; always confirm current details on the provider's site before booking.