United℠ Explorer Card
- Annual fee
- $150
- Top rewards rate
- 2%on dining
- Annual credits
- $480+$120 every 4 yrs
- Welcome bonus
- 50,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months
- Point value
- 1.3¢per point
- Foreign transaction fee
- 0%
Much of the value here is in $480 of annual credits rather than the earn rate. Worth it only if you’d use them.
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Annual Credits
This card currently offers $480 in annual credits, plus a $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit every 4 years. What they're actually worth depends on how you spend, so run your own numbers in the calculator to see which ones you'd capture.
- $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS $120 every 4 years
- $120 Instacart credit ($10/month) requires enrollment or a specific merchant
- $100 United travel credit (requires $10,000 annual spend) requires enrollment or a specific merchant
- $100 JSX flight credit requires enrollment or a specific merchant
- $100 United Hotels credit ($50 on each of first 2 prepaid stays) requires enrollment or a specific merchant
- $60 Rideshare credit ($5/month, enrollment required) requires enrollment or a specific merchant
Credits are not factored into our rankings. Cards are ordered by rewards earned minus the full annual fee. We show credits separately so you can judge them against your own habits rather than taking an advertised total at face value.
Sign-Up Bonus
after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
Rewards Breakdown
| Category | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 2% | Unlimited |
| Travel if you qualify | 2% | Earns 2% only on United purchases and hotel stays. Flights on other airlines, car rentals and cruises earn 1%. |
| All other purchases | 1% | Unlimited |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | Great for international purchases |
What that looks like
Spend $1,000 on dining and you earn 2,000 points, worth about $26 once redeemed. That works out to 2.6% on that spending, not 2%.
Points worth approximately 1.3¢ each based on typical redemption value.
Compare With Similar Cards
See How Much You’d Earn
Enter your monthly spending to see how the United Explorer Card compares against other cards based on your actual habits.
See Your Estimated RewardsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the annual fee for the United Explorer Card?
The United Explorer Card has an annual fee of $150.
What is the sign-up bonus for the United Explorer Card?
New cardholders can earn 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
Does the United Explorer Card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, the United Explorer Card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
What categories earn bonus rewards with the United Explorer Card?
The United Explorer Card earns 2% on dining. It also advertises 2% on United and hotels, but that rate applies only when you qualify, so it is excluded from our rankings.
These rankings are estimates based on published card terms. Actual rewards depend on your spending patterns, how you redeem, and whether your purchases qualify for bonus categories. Rates and terms may change, so verify current offers on the issuer’s site.