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What is the United℠ Explorer Card?

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    Quick insights

    • The United℠ Explorer Card offers a range of travel benefits including 2x miles on United purchases, dining and hotel stays.
    • Cardmembers enjoy additional perks such as priority boarding and a free first checked bag (terms apply) for the primary cardmember and one companion.
    • Cardmembers receive a statement credit of up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck® application fees.

    If you’re a traveler who flies with United, the United℠ Explorer Card may be an option to consider. This card comes with the MileagePlus® program and card benefits that may be ideal for the savvy traveler.

    What are the United Explorer Card benefits?

    The benefits that come with being a United℠ Explorer Cardmember can make travel with United more rewarding. These benefits include:

    Reward points

    Cardmembers can earn:

    • 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services) and hotel stays when booked directly with the hotel
    • 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

    Annual credits

    Cardmembers can unlock over $400 in annual credits, including:

    • Earn a $100 United® travel credit after you spend $10,000 on purchases with your United℠ Explorer Card within a calendar year.
    • Receive up to $100 in credits annually on prepaid hotel stays purchased directly through United® Hotels with your United℠ Explorer Card.
    • Enroll to receive up to $60 in credits each calendar year on rideshare purchases when paying with your United℠ Explorer Card.
    • Receive up to $50 in United® travel credits annually when you book Avis or Budget car rentals directly through cars.united.com and pay with your United℠ Explorer Card.
    • Receive up to $120 in Instacart credits each calendar year for purchases made directly through Instacart with your United℠ Explorer Card. Terms apply.
    • Receive up to $100 in credits annually on flights purchased directly through JSX with your United℠ Explorer Card.

    Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit

    Cardmembers can receive a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS when charged to a United℠ Explorer Card.

    Priority boarding

    Cardmembers will receive priority boarding for themselves and companions traveling on the same reservation as the primary Cardmember.

    Free first checked bag

    The primary Cardmember and one traveling companion on the same reservation are each eligible to receive their first standard checked bag free, a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. To receive this benefit, the primary Cardmember must include their MileagePlus number in their reservation and use their United℠ Explorer Card to purchase their ticket(s). Keep in mind that service charges may apply for oversized and overweight bags.

    25% back on inflight purchase

    You’ll receive 25% back, in the form of a statement credit, on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights when you pay with your United℠ Explorer Card.

    United Club℠ passes

    This card offers two United Club one-time passes after account opening and on each cardmember anniversary.

    Visa Concierge

    You have access to complimentary Visa Signature® Concierge service 24 hours a day. With the help of the concierge service, you can find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, make reservations for dinner and even get help sending a gift.

    United® MileagePlus Program

    With your United℠ Explorer Card, you can also earn reward miles through United MileagePlus—the airline’s loyalty program. In addition to earning miles for purchases made with your card, you can earn miles by flying with United, United Express®, Star Alliance™ and other airline partners.

    In summary

    This card's mix of benefits and accessibility with a competitive bonus mile offer, as well as attractive benefits, could make it a great option. With features like priority boarding, money back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases, a free checked bag, two United Club passes annually, the card could offer exceptional value for United flyers.

    The card may also be a great addition if you travel internationally, with perks like up to $120 credit to offset Global Entry fees, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fees. Whether you’re a frequent or occasional flyer, the United℠ Explorer Card may be a great fit for you.

    Learn more about the United℠ Explorer Card

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