Summary

  • The United Explorer Card has several unique benefits, giving you an elevated travel experience.
  • You can save up to $140 with free checked bags for you and a companion.
  • Card members also receive two United Club passes annually, with a value of over $100.

United Airlines’ credit cards offer unique benefits that elevate members’ travel experiences. Customers receive exclusive services and can earn miles redeemable for travel on United Airlines or Star Alliance partner flights. The United Explorer Card is one such card with unique perks, making it easier for you and your companions to travel smart. The card has an annual fee of $95 but is waived for the first year.

1

Free standard checked bag

Save up to $140

When purchasing tickets with your United Explorer card, you and one companion traveling on the same reservation will receive your first standard checked bag free, up to a value of $35. To be eligible for the benefit, the primary cardmember must include their MileagePlus number in their reservation, and all authorized users must be on the same reservation as the primary cardmember.

A passneger using a United Airlines Check-In Kiosk.

Photo: United Airlines

The free checked bag allowance is only available on United Airlines and United Express flights. With the benefit applying to standard bags, you can still be charged for oversized, overweight, and extra baggage. Additionally, the second standard checked bag will incur the standard fee. You will not qualify for this offer if you are exempted from other checked baggage service charges.

Nonetheless, you can save up to $140 per roundtrip when traveling with a companion. Furthermore, being a United Explorer card member gives you travel protection benefits, including the following:

  • Baggage delay insurance: Reimbursed for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries when the carrier delays your baggage for over six hours. You can get up to $100 a day for three days.
  • Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 cover per passenger when you or an immediate family member check or carry-on luggage that is damaged or lost by the airline.

Related

5 Top Tips To Reduce The Chances Of Checked Bags Going Missing

Keeping photos of the bag and its contents may save you a lot of trouble.

2

Two-anniversary United Club passes

Over a value of $100

As a United Explorer card member, you will receive two United Club one-time passes after opening the account and each year on your anniversary (every 12 months). The passes are deposited into the primary member’s MileagePlus account, giving you access to United Club lounges in various locations worldwide, including the following airports:

  • Atlanta (ATL): North Terminal, Concourse T, between Gates 11 and 12
  • Chicago (ORD): Terminal 1, Concourse B, near Gate B18
  • Houston (IAH): Terminal E, between Gates E11 and E12
  • London (LHR): Terminal 2, across from Gate B46
  • Tokyo (NRT): Airside, Satellite 3
Passengers entering the United Club at Newark airport.

Photo: United Airlines

United Club lounges offer a relaxing and comfortable space to sit before your flight. They offer several amenities, including complimentary WiFi, free snacks and beverages, and powerpoints to charge your devices. After opening an account, you must wait about four weeks for your United Club passes to be deposited into your MileagePlus account.

Access to the lounges is subject to space availability, and each pass must be used before the expiration date. To access the United Club, you must present the pass, which can be found on the United app or printed from your loyalty account on the airline’s website.

3

25% Back on United purchases

Get 25% back as a statement credit

When you make purchases onboard United flights or in United Club locations using your Explorer Card, you will get 25% back as a statement credit. The statement credit will be posted to your account within 24 hours of making any purchases. Eligible purchases include:

  • WiFi onboard
  • Food and beverages onboard
  • Premium drinks in United Club locations
A United Airlines Boeing 777 in Star Alliance livery about to land.

Photo: viper-zero | Shutterstock

You will also receive 25% back when authorized users use your United Explorer Card to make similar purchases. To be eligible for the offer, your account must be open and not defaulted at the time of fulfillment.

Trusted Traveler Program fee credit

In addition to 25% back on purchases, you can also receive Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee statement credit. The offer applies when you use your United Explorer Card to enroll in Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS and pay the application fee.

You will receive one statement credit (up to $100) every four years after the first program application fee is charged to your card. The statement credit will be shown on your monthly credit card billing statement within 1-2 billing cycles of the Trusted Traveler program application fee being charged to your card.

4

No foreign transaction fees

Save when purchasing internationally

Travelers usually incur additional charges when transacting abroad with a debit or credit card. However, you will not be subjected to foreign transaction fees when making purchases outside the US with your United Explorer Card. If you spend $5,000 internationally, you can save up to $150 in foreign transaction fees. The offer also presents a unique opportunity to transact with your card when you travel or shop online and earn award miles. You can earn miles faster in the air and on the ground with flexible award options. The earning rates are as follows:

  • One mile for each $1 spent on all purchases
  • Two miles per $1 on United purchases
  • Two miles per $1 in restaurants
  • Two miles per $1 on hotel accommodation booked directly with the hotel.
united-polaris

Photo: United Airlines

You can redeem your miles for award travel on United or Star Alliance flights, car rentals, hotel bookings, or shopping in your favorite partner stores. Furthermore, suppose you are also a MileagePlus Premier member traveling on a MileagePlus award ticket alone or with a companion. In that case, you can get complimentary Premier upgrades on select United flights, subject to availability.

Related

Top 5: The Most Rewarding Star Alliance Airline Credit Cards In The US

The organization offers several cards through various partner airlines.

5

Earn 50,000 bonus miles

One-time offer

The United Explorer Card also has a unique offer for earning bonus miles. However, it may vary depending on where you apply and can change over time. With this offer, you can earn 50,000 bonus miles if you spend at least $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account. However, there are a few restrictions.

United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER landing shutterstock_2098843099

Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock

Firstly, you cannot earn bonus miles if you are a current United Explorer card member or if you previously received bonus miles as a card member within the last 24 months. Secondly, the following transactions do not count:

  • Balance transfers
  • Cash advances
  • Traveler checks
  • Foreign currency
  • Money orders
  • Wire transfers or similar cash-like transactions.
  • Lottery tickets and casino gaming chips
  • Racetrack wagers or similar betting transactions

Furthermore, bonus miles do not count towards Premier Status. Bonus miles will be posted to your account about six to eight weeks after opening. To qualify for the offer, your account must be open and not defaulted at the time of fulfillment.

What are your thoughts on this story? Please let us know in the comments!


  • N14106 United Airlines (Her Art Here-California Livery) Boeing 757-224 (1)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *