United℠ Explorer Card: up to 80,000 welcome miles
We break down Chase's United Explorer Card: how to earn up to 80,000 MileagePlus® miles, free checked bags, its annual credits and a $0 intro annual fee for the first year.
Published Nov 13, 2026 · Verified Oct 29, 2026
- Welcome offer
- Up to 80,000 United MileagePlus® miles
- Spending requirement
- $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (70,000 miles) + 10,000 miles for adding an authorized user
- Annual fee
- $150 USD
The United℠ Explorer Card from Chase is the entry-level card for United flyers. The annual fee is $0 the first year, then $150, and in return it saves you money on bags, gets you priority boarding and lets you redeem miles at a discount.
The welcome offer
You can earn up to 80,000 MileagePlus® miles in two parts:
- 70,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 10,000 additional miles for adding an authorized user in the first 3 months. The authorized user doesn’t need to make purchases but must still be on the account when the miles are awarded.
Miles generally post 6 to 8 weeks after you meet the requirements. Note that bonus miles don’t count toward United Premier status.
How you earn miles
| Category | Miles per dollar |
|---|---|
| Purchases directly with United (tickets and ancillary fees) | 3x |
| United Card Events from Chase | 3x |
| Dining | 2x |
| Hotels booked directly with the hotel | 2x |
| Everything else | 1x |
Some United purchases don’t earn 3x, such as United Cruises, MileagePlus X and merchandise awards. Packages bought through third parties may not qualify.
The card also helps you earn status: 1 PQP per $20 in eligible purchases, up to 1,000 PQP per calendar year.
Airport benefits
- First checked bag free for you and one companion on the same reservation on United and United Express flights. Pay for the ticket with the card and include your MileagePlus number (the purchase requirement is waived for flights completed within your first 90 days). For a family flying home to see relatives, one round trip can cover the fee.
- Priority boarding for you and companions on the same reservation.
- Two one-time United Club℠ passes at account opening and every 12 months after.
- 25% back on inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi paid with the card.
- Lower award pricing: at least 10% fewer miles on United award flights (at least 15% with Premier status).
Annual credits
| Benefit | Maximum value |
|---|---|
| Prepaid United Hotels stays ($50 on each of the first 2 stays) | Up to $100 per anniversary year |
| Direct JSX purchases | Up to $100 per anniversary year |
| Rideshare, with enrollment | Up to $60 per year ($5 per month) |
| Avis or Budget rentals via MileagePlus Travel (TravelBank cash) | Up to $50 per anniversary year |
| Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS | Up to $120 every 4 years |
| Instacart+ (activate by December 31, 2027) | 3 free months and $10 monthly on eligible orders |
And if you spend more:
- $10,000 per year → $100 in United TravelBank cash.
- $20,000 per year → a 10,000-mile discount on an award flight.
Insurance and protections
- Primary rental car coverage up to $60,000 for up to 31 days (excess for New York residents with personal auto insurance renting in the US).
- Trip cancellation and interruption: up to $1,500 per traveler and $6,000 per trip.
- Trip delay: up to $500 per traveler for delays over 12 hours or requiring an overnight stay.
- Baggage delay: $100 per day for up to 3 days. Lost luggage: up to $3,000 per traveler.
- Purchase protection for 120 days (90 in New York) and one extra year of extended warranty.
- Roadside dispatch: up to $50 per service event, 4 times per year.
Who can get the bonus?
The offer isn’t available if you currently have this card, or if you received a new cardmember bonus for this card in the past 24 months. Your account must be open and in good standing when the miles are awarded, and if you close the account within 6 months, Chase may take the bonus back.
Is it worth it?
It may be a fit if: you fly United at least a couple of times a year, especially with family. The free bag for you and a companion plus priority boarding usually cover the $150 fee on their own, and the first year costs nothing.
It’s probably not a fit if: you rarely fly United or prefer flexible points you can use across airlines. And remember: pay your balance in full each month, because interest wipes out the value of any mile.
The data in this article was verified against Chase’s official information. Offers and benefits can change; always confirm the current terms before applying.