Chase United Explorer
$150/year, earning United MileagePlus Miles, on the Visa network.
Card terms last verified against issuer pages on 2026-09-20.
The Chase United Explorer is a $150/year card from Chase earning United MileagePlus Miles. It earns 3x on united airlines, 2x on dining, 2x on hotels and 1x on everything else. It carries 6 recurring statement credits worth $460 a year, listed in full below with the cap and reset date for each.
What it earns
Rates are the multipliers Chase advertises. We do not convert them into a percentage return, because that requires putting a price on United MileagePlus Miles and that price is a judgement, not a fact — see how we source this.
| Category | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 3x | |
| Dining | 2x | |
| Hotels | 2x | |
| Other | 1x | Everything else |
Statement credits
$460 a year across 6 credits against a $150 annual fee. The columns that matter are the cap and the reset date: a credit paid monthly cannot be saved up, and one that resets on the calendar year expires on 31 December no matter when you opened the card.
Credits with a spending requirement
These are real but gated behind a large annual spend, so they are excluded from the $460 figure above.
Other perks
Benefits that are not dollar statement credits — certificates, lounge visits, point bonuses. Where a value appears it is an estimate, not an amount the issuer credits you, and it is excluded from the credits total above.
| Perk | How often | Estimated value |
|---|---|---|
| 25% Back on United PurchasesYou will receive 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card. | Once a year | — |
| 10,000-Mile Award Flight DiscountSpend $20,000 with your United Explorer Card on purchases in a calendar year and earn one 10,000-mile award flight discount that can be used on eligible award travel on a United or United Express operated flight. | Once a year | — |
Status and included memberships
- Free First Checked Bag — Primary cardmember and one companion each receive first standard checked bag free on United-operated flights when primary cardmember includes MileagePlus number in reservation and purchases tickets with card.
- 2 United Club One-Time Passes — Two United Club one-time passes per year after account opening and each anniversary. Over a $100 value. Relax in comfort while waiting for your flight with complimentary beverages, snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi and more.
- United Priority Boarding — Primary cardmember and companions on same reservation get priority boarding on United-operated flights prior to general boarding.
Questions people ask about the Chase United Explorer
What is the annual fee on the Chase United Explorer?
The Chase United Explorer has a $150 annual fee.
What statement credits does the Chase United Explorer include?
It carries 6 recurring statement credits worth $460 a year in total: $10 Monthly Instacart Credit ($10 monthly, resets on the cardmember year); Up to $100 United Hotels Credits ($100, resets on the cardmember year); Up to $100 JSX Credits ($100, resets on the cardmember year); $5 Monthly Rideshare Credit ($5 monthly, resets on the cardmember year); Up to $50 Avis/Budget Credits ($50, resets on the cardmember year); Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit ($30, resets on the cardmember year). Verified 2026-09-20.
What does the Chase United Explorer earn?
3x on united airlines, 2x on dining, 2x on hotels, 1x on other, and 1x on everything else, in United MileagePlus Miles.
Is the Chase United Explorer worth the annual fee?
Its recurring statement credits total $460 a year against a $150 fee, so the card pays for itself on credits alone if you use 33% of them. Whether that holds depends on whether the specific merchants suit you — the credit table on this page lists each one.
Does the Chase United Explorer charge foreign transaction fees?
No — the Chase United Explorer has no foreign transaction fee.
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