United℠ Explorer Card
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How we calculate effective rate →
The United℠ Explorer Card from Chase earns up to 2.4% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Its annual fee is $150. New applicants may see: Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities..
- Top category
- Dining
- Effective value
- 2.4%
- Annual fee
- $150
Best for dining-heavy spend when the $150 fee fits your usage; confirm issuer terms before applying. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement. Travel perks may add value beyond the earn rate.
What does the United℠ Explorer Card earn in each category?
Dining is the strongest category at 2.4% effective value (2x miles at about 1.2 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 80% of the 2,850 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how United℠ Explorer Card compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend. Catalog spend signals highlight coffee at.
Dining is the strongest category at 2.4% effective value (2x miles at about 1.2 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 80% of the 2,850 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how United℠ Explorer Card compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 2x miles | 2.4% Top category |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 1x miles | 1.2% |
| Gas Gas stations and fuel | 1x miles | 1.2% |
| Travel Flights, hotels, transit | 2x miles | 2.4% |
| Other General everyday spend | 1x miles | 1.2% |
Madeen values United MileagePlus at about 1.2 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.
What are the United℠ Explorer Card reward caps and conditions?
The United℠ Explorer Card has 1 notable cap or condition rule(s) in Madeen's catalog, including activation windows, spend limits, and category exclusions. Review each bullet below before assuming unlimited earn rates.
- 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, including eligible delivery services.
Who should get the United℠ Explorer Card?
The United℠ Explorer Card fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement. Travel perks may add value beyond the earn rate.
United℠ Explorer Card fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. Madeen ranks its dining effective rate higher than about 80% of the catalog in that category. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.
Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement. Travel perks may add value beyond the earn rate.
Compare it against simpler no-fee cards if you want minimum complexity.
Best for dining-heavy spend when the $150 fee fits your usage; confirm issuer terms before applying.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is dining at about 2.4% effective (2x miles).
- That dining rate ranks higher than about 80% of cards we track in the category.
- No foreign transaction fee listed.
- Welcome bonus may add value if you can meet spend requirements.
Cons
- $150 annual fee requires enough spend in bonus categories to offset.
- United MileagePlus value depends on how you redeem, not straight cash back.
What is the United℠ Explorer Card welcome bonus?
In Madeen's catalog snapshot, the United℠ Explorer Card welcome offer is Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities.. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change — confirm on the issuer application page before applying.
- Offer
- 60k United MileagePlus (~$720 estimated)
- Terms (catalog snapshot)
- Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities. First-year annual fee waived.
- Minimum spend
- $3,000
- Window
- 3Months
Does the United℠ Explorer Card have an annual fee?
The United℠ Explorer Card has an annual fee of $150 and a foreign transaction fee of None. Confirm current fees on the issuer page before applying.
- Annual fee
- $150
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
What travel perks does the United℠ Explorer Card include?
The United℠ Explorer Card includes Trusted traveler credit, Lounge access, Free checked bag, $100 United® travel credit and more in our snapshot. Perks and benefits can change; verify coverage on the issuer site before you rely on them.
Trusted traveler credit
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Fee Credit up to $120 every 4 years - Receive a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck
Lounge access
2 United Club one-time passes each year
Free checked bag
Free first checked bag – save up to $140 per roundtrip - The primary Cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free (up to $35 value, each way, per person) on United-operated flights when the primary Cardmember includes their United MileagePlus® number in their reservation and purchases their tickets from United with their card.
What benefits come with the United℠ Explorer Card?
Sofar Sounds
$240/yrEnjoy a free ticket per show with the purchase of one or more tickets, plus you can access 7-day Visa Exclusive Presale opportunities.
Visa Concierge
$150/yrGet complimentary Visa Signature® Concierge Service 24 hours a day. Find tickets to the top sports and entertainment events, make dinner reservations and even get help sending the perfect gift.
Visa Signature Concierge
$150/yrGet assistance with travel planning, entertainment tickets and more.
Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PrCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
$120/yrReceive a statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS when charged to your card.
OpenTable
$120/yrEligible Visa cardholders can enjoy special events access to the hottest dining events on OpenTable. Restrictions apply.
$100 United® travel credit
$100/yrEarn $100 in United® TravelBank cash after you spend $10,000 on purchases each calendar year with your United Explorer Card. You can use United® TravelBank cash toward future flights on United® or United Express®.
2 United Club℠ one-time passes each anniversary - over a $100 value
$100/yrAfter account opening and on each anniversary - over a $100 value per year. For an updated list of United Club locations and any temporary closures, please visit
Up to $100 in credits on JSX purchases annually
$100/yrGet up to $100 back as a statement credit each anniversary year when you book flights directly with JSX using your United Explorer Card. JSX is a hop-on jet service that offers a semi-private flying experience at commercial fares. To learn more, visit united.com/JSX
Up to $100 in United® Hotels credits
$100/yrReceive $50 back as a statement credit on both your 1st and 2nd prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through United® Hotels with your United Explorer Card, up to $100 each anniversary year.
Priority Pass airport lounge access
$99/yrEnjoy access to over 1,700 airport lounges and experiences around the globe.
Free first checked bag
$60/yrThe primary Cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free (up to $35 value, each way, per person) on United-operated flights when the primary Cardmember includes their United MileagePlus® number in their reservation and purchases their tickets from United with their card. For complete details, please visit .
Up to $60 in credits on rideshare purchases
$60/yrEnroll to receive up to $5 back as a statement credit each month on rideshare purchases when you pay with your United? Explorer Card, up to $60 each calendar year.
Related encyclopedia topics
Common questions about the United℠ Explorer Card
Where do cardholders spend most with the United℠ Explorer Card?
Madeen's RewardsCC catalog snapshot shows the strongest bonus categories on coffee (2x), fast food (2x), other food and drink (2x) for the United℠ Explorer Card. These are anonymized issuer category signals, not individual cardholder transactions. Route everyday spend through categories that match your habits, then compare effective rates with Madeen at checkout.
How much is 42,000 United miles worth?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the United℠ Explorer Card at about 2.4% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page.
Does the United℠ Explorer Card have an annual fee?
The United℠ Explorer Card carries an annual fee of $150 in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Issuer terms can change, so confirm the current fee on the issuer's site before you apply. Madeen does not predict approval or prequalification.
What category earns the most with the United℠ Explorer Card?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the United℠ Explorer Card at about 2.4% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page.
Does the United℠ Explorer Card charge foreign transaction fees?
The United℠ Explorer Card does not charge a foreign transaction fee in Madeen's catalog snapshot, which can make it stronger for purchases outside the U.S. Issuer terms still control international acceptance and other fees.
What is the United℠ Explorer Card welcome bonus?
The United℠ Explorer Card welcome offer in our snapshot: Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities.. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change.
How does the United℠ Explorer Card compare to similar cards?
Compare the United℠ Explorer Card against Aeroplan Card (4.5% on Dining, $95 fee); Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card (3% on Dining, $95 fee); AARP (3% on Dining, $0 fee). Madeen ranks effective value by category and annual fee using the same catalog snapshot dated 2026-05-01.
| Card | Top category | Effective value | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
United℠ Explorer Card This card | Dining | 2.4% | $150 |
| Dining | 4.5% | $95 | |
| Dining | 3% | $95 | |
Chase | Dining | 3% | $0 |
| Dining | 3% | $0 |
Side-by-side comparisons
Store-specific guides
Madeen publishes merchant guides that rank cards for specific stores and services. Browse guides for dining spend to see which cards win at checkout.
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Chase and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Chase. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
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