Free checked bag, priority boarding, and miles on every purchase #CashNews.co

While some airline credit cards only offer high rewards rates on flights or in-flight purchases, the United℠ Explorer Card isn’t one of them. This travel credit card offers increased earnings on United Airlines flights, but unlike some competitor cards, you can also rack up miles on everyday dining and hotel purchases. Plus, it offers some other impressive perks that are worth a look.

If you’re a frequent or occasional United flyer seeking a flexible rewards program, look no further than the United Explorer Card. Here’s what to know about this card, its features and perks, and who it’s best for.

Additional benefits

Free checked baggage

If you use your card to purchase a United flight, you and a companion on the same reservation get a free checked bag. This benefit is valued at up to $140 for a roundtrip flight.

Statement credits

You can get a statement credit of up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS membership.

In addition, you’ll get 25% back as a statement credit for qualifying United purchases, including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United flights and premium drinks at United Club airport lounges.

Priority boarding

If snagging an overhead bin is important to you, you get priority boarding as a United Explorer cardmember. You can settle in before general boarding begins, making it less likely you’ll need to check your carry-on because the overhead bins are full. Any travel companions on the same reservation can board with you as well.

Annual United Club passes

With this card, you’ll get two free United Club one-time passes each year. Use your United Club lounge access passes to relax and enjoy complimentary food and beverages while you wait for your plane.

Earn Premier qualifying points (PQPs)

To get United MileagePlus elite status and all the perks that come with it, including increased rewards, free upgrades, group 1 boarding, and more, you’ll need to earn Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and PQPs.

Your United Explorer card could help you earn your PQPs. You’ll get 25 PQP each time you spend $500 on your card (up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year.)

Travel and purchase protections

Card members benefit from primary auto rental collision coverage, baggage delay, and loss reimbursement, trip delay and interruption insurance, and more.

You’ll also get purchase protection and extended warranty coverage when you use your card for certain purchases.

How to earn rewards

Unsurprisingly, you’ll earn increased rewards for making United purchases with your card. Purchases that qualify for the 2x rate include United tickets, in-flight food and beverages, Economy Plus upgrades, and other incidentals.

But this card also offers 2x MileagePlus miles in other categories, including dining and hotel reservations booked directly with hotels. This makes it a good option for general travel spending, not United purchases exclusively. All other qualifying purchases you make with your card net you 1x miles.

How to redeem rewards

The miles you earn are automatically transferred to your United account at the end of each billing cycle. You can redeem your MileagePlus miles by logging into your account at United.com/mileageplus or calling 1-800-421-4655. Miles can be used for United flights, but you can also redeem them at Star Alliance network airlines such as Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Avianca.

Redeeming your miles for airline tickets will likely give you the most value, but you can also use them for car rentals, hotel stays, and merchandise through MileagePlusAwards.com.

What are the best credit cards available today?

Who is the United Explorer Card best for?

Unlike some airline credit cards, this card offers an increased earning rate on United-specific purchases and in more general categories — making it a good option for frequent or occasional United flyers.

This card offers several perks, including the opportunity to earn United MileagePlus miles and higher-end benefits like priority boarding and free one-time lounge passes annually. Its rewards, amenities, and relatively low annual fee make it a solid choice.

United Explorer Card pros

• Generous welcome bonus

• Priority boarding on United flights

• Free checked bag

• Two complimentary, one-time United Club lounge passes each cardmember year

• No foreign transaction fees

United Explorer Card cons

Where can you use the United Explorer Card?

The United Explorer Card is a Visa card issued by Chase, which means it can be used almost anywhere you travel. Visa cards are accepted in over 200 countries and territories globally.

How to make a United Explorer Card payment

You can make your United Explorer monthly payments through the following channels:

• Online via your Chase account

• Phone: 1-800-888-8756

• Mail:
  Cardmember Services
  P.O. Box 6294
  Carol Stream, IL 60197-6294

United Explorer Card customer service info

If you need help or have questions about your card, you can reach a real person from the Chase customer service team by calling 1-800-432-3117. You can also log into your United Explorer Card dashboard or check out the Chase FAQ page.

Alternative cards to consider

While the United Explorer card is a good option for many, some might prefer a more general travel credit card or a United card with different travel perks. If that’s the case, here are some alternatives worth considering.

Related: Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Two of the best travel cards for everyday rewards

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This article was edited by Alicia Hahn

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to the author(s) and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn’t include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.