Advertiser Disclosure:
Katie's Travel Tricks has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Katie's Travel Tricks and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Editorial Disclosure:
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author's alone.
United℠ Explorer Card
Welcome Offer
bonus_miles
bonus_miles_full
Alternate Offer (HIGHER OFFER up to 75k): Requires a flight attendant code + adding an authorized user to earn the full bonus. Email nicole@katiestraveltricks.com for a flight attendant code for this offer!
All information about this card has been collected independently by Katie’s Travel Tricks.
How to Earn Rewards
9x
Total miles on eligible United flights (6x as MileagePlus member + 3x as cardholder; raised from 2x in 2025 refresh; differs for Basic Economy)
3x
Miles on all other eligible United® purchases (raised from 2x in 2025 refresh)
2x
Miles on dining (including eligible delivery services) and hotel stays when booked directly with the hotel
1x
Mile on all other purchases
Key Benefits
Tap any benefit to see details.
10% Off Award Flights Booked With Miles
Save 10% or more on flights booked with United miles
Free First Checked Bag (Cardholder + 1 Companion)
Your first checked bag is free for you and one companion on United-operated flights.
2 United Club℠ One-Time Passes Annually
2 one-time United Club passes per year (anniversary), usable by primary cardholder, authorized users, or guests traveling with them.
Priority Boarding
Cardholder + companions on the same reservation board United-operated flights prior to general boarding.
$120 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck® / NEXUS Statement Credit
Statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee.
Up to $100 United Hotels Credit (Annual)
$50 statement credit on each of your first 2 prepaid United Hotels bookings each card anniversary year (up to $100 total annually).
Up to $50 Avis/Budget TravelBank Cash (NOT Generic TravelBank)
$25 in United TravelBank cash on first 2 Avis or Budget car rentals booked directly through cars.united.com each anniversary year (up to $50 total annually).
Up to $60 Rideshare Credit
Up to $60 in rideshare credits per calendar year — $5/month statement credit. Enrollment required
Up to $120 Instacart Credits
$10 monthly statement credit for purchases made directly through Instacart (up to $120/year). Available through December 31, 2027.
3 Months Free Instacart+ + 25% Off Annual Rate (Through Dec 31, 2027)
Complimentary 3-month Instacart+ membership, then 25% off annual rate. Available through December 31, 2027.
25% Back on Inflight Food, Beverages & WiFi
Earn 25% back as a statement credit on inflight purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights, plus on Club premium drinks.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption + Baggage + Auto Rental + Purchase Protection
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $1,500/traveler, $6,000/trip), baggage delay, lost luggage, auto rental CDW, purchase protection (120 days), extended warranty.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
No foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
Show
Hide
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
This card got more valuable in April 2026 when it added a perk of 10% off (or more) on all United award flights. That discount applies to anyone that you book for with your United miles and savings can add up for a family.
You'll also get a free checked bag and 2 United Club one-time passes per year.
Lounge Access Details
Networks Included
United Club
Guest Access
2 United Club one-time passes per year total
United Club access via 2 one-time passes per year, not full membership. AU policy not specified in article.
Benefits Calculator
What's the United℠ Explorer Card worth to you? Get a personalized estimate.
Calculate
Hide
Benefits Calculator
What's the United℠ Explorer Card worth to you? Get a personalized estimate.
United℠ Explorer Card Benefits Calculator
Enter your personal estimated annual value for each benefit to see a customized calculation of the card's worth.
Your first checked bag is free for you and one companion on United-operated flights. (per-use benefit — value depends on how often you'll use it)
$
2 one-time United Club passes per year (anniversary), usable by primary cardholder, authorized users, or guests traveling with them.
$
Cardholder + companions on the same reservation board United-operated flights prior to general boarding. (per-use benefit — value depends on how often you'll use it)
$
Statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee. ($30 every 4 years = $8/yr)
$
$50 statement credit on each of your first 2 prepaid United Hotels bookings each card anniversary year (up to $100 total annually).
$
$25 in United TravelBank cash on first 2 Avis or Budget car rentals booked directly through cars.united.com each anniversary year (up to $50 total annually).
$
Up to $60 in rideshare credits per calendar year — $5/month statement credit. Enrollment required
$
$10 monthly statement credit for purchases made directly through Instacart (up to $120/year). Available through December 31, 2027.
$
Complimentary 3-month Instacart+ membership, then 25% off annual rate. Available through December 31, 2027. (one-time benefit)
$
Your Total Annual Value
$0
Annual Fee: annual_fees
Your Net Value / Cost
$0
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
View History
Hide
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 50,000 MilesCurrent | $3,000 in 3 months | Standard offer |
| 40,000-60,000 Miles | $2,000-$3,000 in 3 months | Earlier 2020s offers |
| 80,000 Miles + 5K w/ Promo CodeElevated | $3,000 in 3 months | Ran March 2025 |
| 85,000 MilesElevated | $3,000 in 3 months | Best-ever; ran summer 2025 (80K + 5K with promo code) |
