Chase · courtesyUnited℠ Explorer Card
$0/ year
Up to $650/yr in credits & perksVisaUnited MileagePlus valued at 1.3¢/ptRecent changes: Current annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150. Previous: $95. First-year waived: True. New vs existing: New applicants: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 annually thereafter. Existing cardmembers: transitioned to $150 at their next annual fee renewal date on or after January 1, 2025.. · Annual fee increased from $95 to $150 effective for new applicants from the March 24, 2025 refresh; existing cardmembers' fee adjusted to $150 at their next annual fee renewal date on or after January 1, 2025. First-year intro waiver ($0) is new for new applicants. Per Reddit r/unitedairlines: 'the annual fee for your United Explorer Card will increase from $95 to $150 with your next annual fee renewal occurring on or after January 1, [2025]'.
Benefits, itemized
18 tracked · published maximums — realized value depends on enrollment and timing.Free First Checked Bag (primary + 1 companion)
AccessFree first standard checked bag for primary Cardmember and one companion on same reservation on United-operated flights — save up to $200 per roundtrip
Terms & eligibility
Primary Cardmember and one companion on same reservation; first standard checked bag only; United-operated flights (not partner-operated). Per NerdWallet Jun 16, 2026: 'The first checked bag is free for the cardholder and a companion traveling on the same reservation.'
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Est. value
~$200
per United roundtrip flight
2 United Club One-Time Passes per Year
Access2 United Club one-time passes per year (over a $100 value) for primary Cardmember
Terms & eligibility
Primary Cardmember only; authorized users do not receive their own United Club access. Effective Apr 1, 2026: guests may be restricted to a fee (per upgradedpoints.com Apr 15, 2026: 'Starting January 15, 2026, unlimited guests for no additional cost will no longer be included. Instead, cardholders will be allowed to bring up to [limited number of guests for a fee]').
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Est. value
~$100
annually (2 passes per year)
Priority Boarding
AccessPrimary Cardmember and companions on same reservation invited to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding
Terms & eligibility
Primary Cardmember + companions on same reservation; United-operated flights
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Included
9x Total Miles on Eligible United Flights (NEW)
Earning9x total miles on eligible United flights (6x miles on Primary Cardmember's fare from United as MileagePlus member + 3x miles on entire United purchase with United Explorer Card)
Terms & eligibility
6x base from United as MileagePlus member (separate from Card) + 3x from United Explorer Card on entire United purchase. Mileage earning differs for Basic Economy or base option tickets. Premier members earn even more.
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Included
3x Miles on All Other Eligible United Purchases (NEW)
Earning3x miles on all other eligible United purchases (beyond flight tickets)
Terms & eligibility
Eligible United purchases only (not partner airlines)
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Included
2x Miles on Hotel Stays (booked direct with hotel)
Earning2x miles on hotel stays when booked with the hotel (direct)
Terms & eligibility
Must be booked with the hotel directly (not via third-party travel sites)
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Included
2x Miles on Dining (incl. eligible delivery services)
Earning2x miles on dining including eligible delivery services
Terms & eligibility
Eligible dining merchants only; eligible delivery services include those classified under dining merchant category codes
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Included
1x Mile on All Other Purchases
Earning1x mile on all other purchases
Terms & eligibility
Eligible purchases only
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Included
Save 10% or More on Award Flights (NEW)
AccessSave 10% or more when booking flights with miles on United-operated flights; Premier members save even more
Terms & eligibility
Award flights on United-operated flights; Premier status saves more
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Included
$100 United TravelBank Cash (after $10K spend annually)
Credit$100 in United TravelBank cash after spending $10,000 with the United Explorer Card within a calendar year
Terms & eligibility
Cardmember must spend $10,000+ on the Card within a calendar year; United TravelBank cash usable toward future flights on United or United Express
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Up to
$100
annually (after $10K spend threshold reached)
Up to $100 United Hotels Credits Annually
CreditUp to $100 in credits annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through United Hotels with the United Explorer Card ($50 back per stay, 1st and 2nd prepaid hotel stays)
Terms & eligibility
Must book prepaid stays through United Hotels directly and pay with United Explorer Card; 1st and 2nd stays per anniversary year only
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Up to
$100
annually (per anniversary year)
Up to $60 Rideshare Credits Each Calendar Year
CreditUp to $60 back per year in statement credits on rideshare purchases (up to $5/month) when paying with the United Explorer Card; yearly opt-in required
Terms & eligibility
Yearly opt-in required; rideshare purchases with select providers only
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Up to
$60
monthly ($5 max per month)
Up to $50 United Travel Credits on Avis/Budget
CreditUp to $50 in United TravelBank cash per year on Avis or Budget car rentals booked directly through cars.united.com ($25 per rental, 1st and 2nd rentals)
Terms & eligibility
Must book Avis or Budget directly through cars.united.com and pay with United Explorer Card
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Up to
$50
annually (1st + 2nd rentals per anniversary year)
Up to $120 Instacart Credits Each Calendar Year
CreditUp to $120 in Instacart credits each calendar year ($10/month) on purchases made directly through Instacart with the United Explorer Card; benefits end 12/31/2027
Terms & eligibility
Must purchase directly through Instacart with United Explorer Card; benefit ends December 31, 2027
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Up to
$120
monthly ($10 max per month)
Up to $100 Credits on JSX Flights Annually
CreditUp to $100 in statement credits each anniversary year on flights purchased directly with JSX using the United Explorer Card
Terms & eligibility
Must book directly with JSX; pay with United Explorer Card
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Up to
$100
annually (per anniversary year)
25% Back on In-Flight Food, Beverages, Wi-Fi
Credit25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when paying with the Explorer Card
Terms & eligibility
Inflight purchases on United-operated flights and United Club premium drinks only
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Included
Up to $120 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS Fee Credit (every 4 years)
CreditUp to $120 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or NEXUS every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee when charged to the Card
Terms & eligibility
Application fee for either Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS must be charged to the Card
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Up to
$120
every 4 years
10,000-Mile Award Flight Discount (after $20K spend annually)
AccessEarn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 with the United Explorer Card on Purchases in a calendar year; usable toward an eligible award flight
Terms & eligibility
Cardmember must spend $20,000+ on the Card within a calendar year; discount usable toward eligible award flight only
Government source · Aug 24, 2026Included
Downgrade paths
Product changes usually keep your account age and credit line. Retained-value figures are estimates — confirm specifics with the issuer.
Move to United Gateway℠ Card
no annual fee
Community-reported · not guaranteedRetained value not quantifiedAvailable to current United Explorer Card Members via product change (product change). Per NerdWallet Aug 6, 2026: 'A $350-annual fee United Quest℠ Card could be downgraded to a $0-annual fee United Gateway℠ Card.' Implication: Explorer ($150) can also downgrade to Gateway ($0). Account must be open and in good standing; product change initiated via Chase phone customer service (number on back of card). Chase product changes are restricted to within the same co-brand family (United MileagePlus from Chase).
Government source · Aug 24, 2026
Recent retention offers
Government source · Aug 24, 2026- upd. 2 months agoOffer reported2025-02
$100 is the usual Explorer retention offer (per Reddit r/unitedairlines community consensus)
N/A (no spend requirement — straight statement credit) spendN/A1 datapoints · medium confidence - upd. 2 months agoOffer reported2025-02
$150 statement credit for not closing the card (essentially making the card free for another year)
N/A (no spend requirement) spendN/A1 datapoints · medium confidence - upd. 2 months agoOffer reported2025-04
Retention offer which basically makes the card free (amount not explicitly stated, but consistent with $150 statement credit)
N/A spendN/A1 datapoints · medium confidence - upd. 2 months agoOffer reported2023-01
No retention offers; Chase demonstrated the value of the card even WITH the annual fee
N/A spendN/A1 datapoints · medium confidence
Offers vary by account and eligibility. Reported outcomes are not guaranteed. Community data shown here is an illustrative sample — never rely on it as a promise of what you'll be offered.
Information is provided for educational and decision-support purposes and may change. Always confirm current terms, benefits, eligibility, fees, and offers directly with Chase.