Digital nomads and die-hard sun-seekers, you could get your next trip paid for with 30,000 bonus miles from the United MileagePlus Explorer credit card.
But before applying, plan to getaway with United at least twice a year to make this card worth it.
When it comes to travel, tallying the cost of everything from flight tickets to restaurants is enough to cause motion sickness – even before you’ve taken off. As a result, you may be considering the United MileagePlus Explorer credit card to lighten your financial load. When used frequently and properly, this credit card could get you a flight paid for in collected air miles, free checked luggage, and no foreign transaction fees upon arriving at your destination. However, having the time to travel United at least twice a year and the ability to pay off your monthly statements is a prerequisite to offset the costs. This includes a $95 annual fee (waived the first year) and the fees from high interest rates. Getting the most from the airline you spend most time with may seem like a no-brainer – but cards like this can trip you up with the small print.
Product details:
Intro rate period: $0 for the first year
Frequent flyer program: Earn two miles for each $1 spent on tickets purchased from United and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases. Your miles don’t expire as long as your credit card account is open, and there’s no limit to the miles you can earn. Each calendar year, you can get a 10,000-mile bonus once you spend $25,000 on your card.
Frequent flyer annual fee: $0
APR for purchases (purchase rate): APR: 16.24% – 23.24% Variable APR
Cash advance rate: 25.24%, Variable
Annual fee: $0 for first year, then $95
Card type: Visa
Issuing bank: Chase
Late payment fee: Up to $15 if the balance is less than $100; up to $27 if the balance is $100 to less than $250; up to $37 if the balance is $250 or more.
Returned payment fee: Up to $37
Foreign currency conversion fee: none
Minimum interest: none
What are the benefits of United MileagePlus Explorer Card?
Amazing introductory bonuses perfect for a jet setting lifestyle make this card ideal for savvy travelers who are flexible and don’t mind flying exclusively with United to get the most value for their annual fees.
Amazing air miles. You automatically get 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in the first three months of signing up – and you can earn another 10,000 bonus miles by spending $25,000 or more in a year.
Free luggage check. Book a United flight with your MileagePlus Explorer card, and you and your buddy’s first checked bags are free! As long as the two of you travel on the same reservation, you could save about $50.
2 United Club passes. Each year, enjoy a little extra luxury with two free United Club passes – so you can look forward to those unexpected layovers. Bring a loved one along, relax, take a shower, and indulge in complimentary refreshments and high-speed Wi-Fi.
No foreign transaction fees. Say goodbye to a nasty bill [Olivia Ch2] when you get home – foreign transaction fees average about 3% of purchases in US dollars, but with the United MileagePlus Explorer card you can splurge on as many tacky souvenirs as you like.
Travel and purchase cover. Why worry? This card offers a range of travel insurance as standard, from baggage delay cover to lost luggage insurance, auto rental collision cover and more.
Too good to be true?
The United MileagePlus Explorer is definitely a card for travelers, and especially with the introductory bonuses it seems like a great deal for most people. However, the perks offered the first year, from the bonus miles and the waived annual, are meant to entice customers to apply for their card. This could be fine as long as you can pay off your credit card balance each month to avoid the 16.24% to 23.24% APR interest. Still, if you don’t live near a United hub or prefer other airways, you’re not going to get the most out of the eye-watering $95/year fee – and you cannot trade your miles for cash or other benefits, which is an option with other providers.
No in-flight rewards. In-flight purchases don’t count towards your rewards – and while other airline cards offer bonuses for buying tax-free goods on your flight, you won’t get any with the MileagePlus Explorer.
High annual fee. It may be free for the first year, but $95/year after that is pretty high as credit card fees go, and one of the most expensive we’ve ever seen in an airline card.
Frequent flyers only. You are not going to rack up miles any time soon unless you make journeys often – at 2 miles per $1 it’s a standard rate you’ll find on many other cards, but it’s not going to be worth it if you make infrequent trips.
1 mile per $1. With all other purchases, that rate plummets to 1 mile to the dollar. Again, unless you really need the miles, this could be a major turn-off when compared to other cards.
Am I even eligible?
It’s essential before applying for any credit card to ensure you fit their requirements in the first place – it’ll save a lot of time and energy. Reducing your debt, keeping a tight check on your score and being transparent when it comes to your income will all help your chances of getting approved.
How's your credit score?
You should have an excellent credit score (around 714) to apply for this card.
You must be at least 18 years old to qualify (19 in AL and NE).
Application requirements checklist
Name
Mailing address
Email address
Phone number
MileagePlus number. If you don’t, you’ll be automatically enrolled and issued a number on approval.
Total monthly income
Date of birth
Social security number
Mother’s maiden name
How to apply for the United MileagePlus Explorer Card
Go to the provider’s website.
Click “Apply Now”
Fill in your name, address and MileagePlus number if you already have one. If you don’t, you’ll be automatically enrolled and issued a number on approval. Then, hit Next.
Enter your type of residence and income information, then hit Next.
Enter your date of birth, SSN, phone number and mother’s maiden name, then hit Next.
You can add authorized users by filling in the details on this page. Once you’re done, thoroughly check the pricing and terms of agreement and review your application before hitting Submit.
Your application is under review. If you’re accepted, your card will arrive in the mail within 7-10 business days.
I got the credit card! Now what?
Awesome, congratulations! We’re sure you want to start using your new card straightaway, but make sure you know the facts before you start spending.
Log in to your account regularly to keep an eye on your balance and make any payments online.
Don’t worry if you don’t see your miles immediately - they’ll appear after your monthly statement is generated by Chase.
Set up a loved one on the account now, and they can enjoy benefits such as free checked luggage and a pass into United Club lounges with you.
Make sure you avoid interest fees – your due date will be a minimum of 21 days after the close of each billing cycle. Chase will not charge you interest on purchases if you pay your entire balance by the due date each month, and will begin charging interest on balance transfers and cash advances on the transaction date.
To learn more about factors to consider when applying for or using a credit card, read our guides.
United MileagePlus Explorer Card summary
Great for business flyers and frequent travels: not ideal for everyday users. United airline stewards don’t need to know you by name, but you must travel regularly enough to stomach the annual fee. Think an airline card could work for you but aren’t tempted by this offer? Why not compare other products here:
Rates last updated November 10th, 2016
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Frequently asked questions
Will I be approved?
It looks like you need a pretty good score for this card, although you don’t need a perfect 800+. You’ll also want to check if you’ve opened 5 or more bank cards in the last 24 months as Chase might not approve you if you have.
Can I use the miles for cash back?
No, United miles can’t be redeemed for cash.
If I received the same card more than 2 years ago, I can apply again and get the bonus, right?
Sorry, no. If you still have your old card of the same type, you’re ineligible. If you’re waiting for the 24 month waiting period to expire, Chase don’t calculate the date from your previous application or approval date – instead, it’s the date you actually received the signup-related bonus on your previous card, which may be 3-4 months later than the approval date. It doesn’t matter what bonus you received whether they’re points, miles or anything else; anniversary benefits unrelated to spending requirements, such as annual IHG & Marriott certs, do not count as signup bonuses.
How does the United Club pass work?
You get two free United Club passes a year, and you can use them to get into any United Club. Each pass is only good for one person, so two people will need two passes and kids will need separate passes. You cannot visit multiple clubs, not even on the same day – your pass expires as soon as you give it in to check-in. You may also get turned away if clubs are busy, as they will always prioritize full members.
Can my friend or spouse use the free bag benefit?
Only if you’re both traveling on the same reservation. Authorized users do not get the free bag benefit: there is no fee to add other users, hence it only works when the primary cardholder is flying.
Is there a business version of the card?
Yes, and it offers different bonuses to large and small business owners. It’s a completely different card, so click here to read our review.