chase airline
United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card makes sense if you fly United at least twice a year - the free checked bag benefit alone is worth $140. The 60,000 mile bonus can get you a domestic round trip or help toward international travel. With the first year annual fee waived, there's little risk in trying it out. I recommend this for anyone who primarily flies United for work or lives near a United hub.
Current Sign-Up Bonus
60,000 miles
after $3,000 spend in 3 months
Estimated value: $900
Last validated: 2025-01-27
Rewards Structure
Base Rate: 1x on all purchases
Bonus Categories:
- United purchases 2x
- dining 2x
- hotel stays 2x
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Free checked bag easily offsets fee
- + Priority boarding included
- + First year free
- + Solid 60,000 mile bonus
- + United Club passes
Cons
- - $95 fee after first year
- - Limited bonus categories
- - Miles tied to United
- - Not the highest-ever bonus
Key Benefits
- First checked bag free ($35 value each way)
- Priority boarding
- 25% back on United inflight purchases
- Two United Club passes per year
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Offer History
Historical High: 70,000 points
| Period | Bonus | Spend Req. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-12-01 to present Current | 60,000 miles | $3,000 | |
| 2024-06-01 to 2024-11-30 | 70,000 miles | $3,000 | Highest |
| 2024-01-01 to 2024-05-31 | 50,000 miles | $3,000 |
Note: Historical offers are tracked for informational purposes. Past offers may not return.