How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our take: The New United℠ Explorer Card is one of the top airline credit cards because of its wide range of perks, including valuable travel protections and generous statement credits, for a modest annual fee compared to many other travel cards.
Is it worth it? The travel perks, including free checked bags, two United Club℠ one-time passes per year and over $500 worth of annual credits, can easily justify the $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 annual fee, though some credits may be more useful than others.
Who’s it best for? Frequent United flyers, value-focused family travelers and occasional travelers who want perks without a premium fee.
If you’re looking to save on United flights, the $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 annual fee for The New United℠ Explorer Card could be well worth it if you make the most of its perks. The card got a refresh in March 2025, adding new statement credits, the opportunity to earn an annual award flight discount and a higher annual fee (up from $95).
Chase says the changes could bring over $800 in total value, depending on how you use them. However, while the card lets you earn miles in several everyday categories, those miles stay within United’s MileagePlus program and can’t be transferred to other airlines. So the card’s value depends largely on how loyal you are to United airlines and how easily you can redeem those miles.
The New United℠ Explorer Card is best for United loyalists who love travel perks — think free checked bags, early boarding and lounge passes — without paying a sky-high annual fee.
But if United isn’t your go-to airline, or you’re chasing more flexible rewards, you’ll likely get better value from a general travel credit card or one with more upscale perks.
Recommended credit: Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion Good / Excellent
Rewards Rate: 1X – 2X miles
Welcome offer: 60,000 miles
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Using an approximate value of 1.3 cents per United mile — an estimation based on real-world data — the sign-up bonus is worth approximately $780.
Because travel rewards often take time to build up, a generous offer like this can give you a serious head start. For example, this sign-up bonus could cover a round-trip economy flight within the U.S. with miles to spare — or get you closer to an international adventure. Learn more about how many airline miles you need for a free flight.
Earn 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases. This is a decent value for people who occasionally fly United Airlines, as the bonus categories don’t include just airfare.
Use this card strategically for meals out, direct hotel bookings and United flights. Consider setting the card as your default for food delivery apps and travel portals.
The rewards structure is limited, with low miles on non-bonus spending, less than many flat-rate cards such as the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. You’re also locked into United’s MileagePlus® program, which offers less flexibility than transferable points.
If you’re not loyal to United, or you want more flexibility in how you use your rewards, consider a general travel credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns transferable points that can be redeemed for travel through Chase or transferred to multiple airline and hotel partners — including United. This gives you more control over how and where you use your rewards.
The New United℠ Explorer Card packs more than just miles; it also comes loaded with travel perks that can upgrade your United experience from the moment you arrive at the airport. Think free checked bags, early boarding and in-flight savings that make flying feel a little more first-class, even in economy. Here’s what you get:
The New United℠ Explorer Card now offers over $500 in potential annual credits, making it easier than ever to offset the $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 annual fee. That said, the true value of these perks depends on how well they align with your lifestyle.
If you travel regularly or already use services like ride-sharing services or Instacart, cashing in on these credits can be seamless. But if you’re going out of your way to chase value you wouldn’t normally use, the benefit may not be worth the effort. Keep in mind, some credits require opting in or booking through a specific platform, so be sure to read the fine print before you swipe.
The New United℠ Explorer Card provides some of the best travel and purchase protections among mid-tier cards, rivaling benefits found on popular cards — including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. While primary rental car insurance is often reserved for higher-fee cards, this card offers it without the premium price. Of course, if you’re after more advanced rewards, a higher-tier travel credit card might be a better fit.
You’ll also get solid purchase protection, including:
All of these benefits include fine print, so make sure you consult your card’s Guide to Benefits.
→ See all of the top travel credit cards.
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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
If you don’t primarily fly with United — or any other airline specifically — the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card may be a better fit. It offers stronger earning potential in everyday categories such as dining, online groceries and select streaming services, plus a lower $95 annual fee.
While it doesn’t come with as many credits as The New United℠ Explorer Card, you do get a $50 annual Chase TravelSM hotel credit, which is relatively easy to use when booking through Chase’s travel portal.
The biggest difference? Flexibility. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® at a 1:1 ratio to over 12 airline and hotel partners, including United, giving you more options for redeeming rewards. In contrast, miles earned with The New United℠ Explorer Card are locked into the United MileagePlus program, redeemable only with United and its Star Alliance partners.
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
For those who regularly fly United Airlines and are looking for an even nicer suite of benefits, consider The New United Quest℠ Card. With a higher $350 annual fee, it builds on The New United℠ Explorer Card’s core benefits by adding a stronger rewards rate, complimentary first and second checked bags on United-operated flights (a potential $360 in savings) and over $850 in annual partner credits. While both cards offer solid value, your decision really depends on how often you travel and how much value you’ll get from the added perks.
→ See all of the top United credit cards.
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
If you don’t travel often and want a card that still delivers value on everyday spending, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid pick. It has a straightforward rewards structure and earns a higher rate on general purchases than The New United℠ Explorer Card, all with a lower $95 annual fee.
You’ll also get up to $120 in credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and can transfer Capital One miles to 20+ travel loyalty programs.
We take a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identify the best travel credit cards. We use an objective rating and ranking system that evaluates over 200 credit cards from more than 50 issuers. All recommendations are made by LendingTree’s editorial team, completely independent of affiliate partnerships or compensation. Every card is selected based on its merit and ability to help people achieve their financial goals. We use the following criteria to make our picks:
Deciding whether The New United℠ Explorer Card is worth it comes down to how well you tap into its perks. The March 2025 refresh (raising the annual fee from $95 to $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150) added credits including up to $100 on United® Hotels, up to $60 on ride-sharing services (enrollment required), up to $50 on car rentals through Avis or Budget and up to $120 on Instacart. Chase values the credits at over $500.
However, this card demands active management. To truly benefit, you need to track monthly and annual credits and make United your go-to airline when you fly. If you check bags and use the statement credits, the card can easily justify its $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 annual fee. But if you’re less loyal to United or prefer a low-effort rewards card, a general travel card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card might offer better value and flexibility.
The number of miles needed for a domestic economy flight can vary widely, but savvy travelers can occasionally snag flights for as little as 6,000 miles during featured award deals. Since award pricing is dynamic, you’ll need to search specific dates and routes on United.com with the “Book with miles” option to see exact mileage requirements.
→ Learn more about how many airline miles you need for a free flight.
The New United℠ Explorer Card doesn’t automatically grant elite status, but it can help you earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward it. You’ll earn 1 PQP for every $20 in spending on your card, up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year.
However, you still must take at least four United or United Express flights annually to qualify for elite status. So while the card gives you a helpful boost, it’s most effective as part of a broader travel strategy, not a fast-track to elite status on its own.
To get The New United℠ Explorer Card, it’s recommended that you have good / excellent credit. While approvals below this range do happen, having a higher score increases your chances and puts you in a strong position for approval.
→ Check your credit score for free with LendingTree Spring.
Chase cards typically take two weeks to arrive in the mail after approval. However, through the Spend Instantly feature, you’re able to use the Chase app to add The New United℠ Explorer Card to a digital wallet before it arrives.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to the The New United℠ Explorer Card, Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, The New United Club℠ Card and The New United Quest℠ Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer’s website for more details.
