United℠ Explorer Card
The entry United travel card: $0 the first year then $150, with free first checked bag for you and a companion and two United Club passes a year. Annual fee: $0 intro first year, then $150. Welcome offer: 70,000 miles + 10,000 for an authorized user after $3,000 in 3 months in the first 3 months.
Welcome offer
| Offer | 70,000 miles + 10,000 for an authorized user |
|---|---|
| Spend requirement | $3,000 in 3 months |
| Time window | first 3 months |
| Expiration | No end date stated |
Chase's headline shows 'up to 60,000' with 80,000 struck through; the itemized terms list 70,000 + 10,000. Confirm the exact offer when you apply.
Offers may vary by applicant, channel, referral link and targeting. The offer on the issuer's own application page is the one that applies.
Earning rates
| Category | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible United flights | 9x total (6x fare + 3x on entire purchase) | |
| Other eligible United purchases | 3x | |
| Hotels booked direct | 2x | |
| Dining | 2x | |
| Everything else | 1x |
Benefits and credits
Statement credits
| Credit | Value | Details |
|---|---|---|
| United hotels | Up to $100/yr | $50 on each of the first two prepaid stays. |
| Rideshare | Up to $60/yr | Opt-in. |
| Avis / Budget | Up to $50/yr | |
| Instacart | Up to $120/yr | Ends 12/31/2027. |
| JSX | Up to $100/yr | |
| Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS | Up to $120 | Every four years. |
Other benefits
- First standard checked bag free for you and one companion.
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year.
- Group 2 boarding.
- 10,000-mile award discount after $20,000 spend per year.
Restrictions
- The $100 United travel credit terms are written two ways on Chase's page; read the card terms.
Strategies
- Strong first-year value because the fee is waived; decide before month 12 whether the bags and Club passes justify $150.
Best categories: 9x total (6x fare + 3x on entire purchase) at eligible united flights; 3x at other eligible united purchases.
Compare with: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®, AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Or try the Best Card Finder with your own spending.
Sources and freshness
Fees, welcome offers and earning rates come from Chase's official card pages, fetched on Oct 27, 2026.
Last updated: . Verification status: checked against the sources above.