United Explorer
Issued by Chase
$280/year in trackable credits — never leave money on the table
Earning Categories
Current Welcome Bonus
70,000 bonus milesafter you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. + 10,000 BONUS MILESwhen you add an authorized user in the first 3 months your account is open. + 5,000 BONUS MILESupon approval when you use your United agent‘s promotional code.
Year 1 net value: +$955 (bonus − annual fee)
Statement Credits
Up to $5 monthly on rideshare purchases (up to $60/year, yearly opt-in required)
Enrollment Required$50 back on 1st prepaid hotel stay through United Hotels
$50 back on 2nd prepaid hotel stay through United Hotels
$10 Instacart credit monthly (up to $120/year, benefits end 12/31/27)
Card Perks
2 United Club one-time passes per year
Maximize Your United MileagePlus Points
Program Overview
United MileagePlus is United Airlines' loyalty program and one of the most popular Star Alliance programs. Award pricing is dynamic but generally follows predictable patterns for saver-level awards. Key strengths: - Extensive Star Alliance partner network (26+ airlines) - Excursionist Perk: Free stopover on round-trip international itineraries - Dynamic pricing with saver-level awards still available - No close-in booking fees - MileagePlus miles can be earned through Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers - United Polaris business class is an excellent long-haul product
Earning Tips
Card stacking strategy: Premium cards: - United Explorer: 2x on United, hotels, dining, streaming; 1x everything else; free checked bag + boarding priority - United Quest: 3x on United, 2x dining/hotels/streaming; premier upgrades; 2 free checked bags - United Club Infinite: 4x on United, 2x dining/hotels; United Club access; premier upgrades Business card: - United Business: 2x on United, dining, gas, office supplies, local transit Key tips: - United cards earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) toward status through spending - Free checked bags save $70+ per round-trip - Premier Upgrades on Quest/Club Infinite provide complimentary upgrades when available - Stack with Chase Sapphire for non-United spending, transfer UR to United as needed - United.com shopping portal earns bonus miles on online purchases
Redemption Tips
Best redemption values: Domestic saver awards: - 5,000 miles one-way for short-haul economy (under 700 miles) - 12,500 miles one-way for standard domestic economy - Dynamic pricing means prices vary; search flexible dates for saver availability International sweet spots: - United Polaris business class to Europe: 60,000 miles one-way (saver) - Star Alliance partner business class to Asia: 75,000-90,000 miles one-way - Excursionist Perk: Free stopover in a connecting city on round-trip international awards Star Alliance partner awards: - ANA first class: ~88,000 miles one-way (when available) - Lufthansa first class: Book when released close-in - Singapore Airlines: Premium economy sweet spot at ~50,000 miles - EVA Air business class to Asia: Excellent product at saver rates Close-in bookings: - No close-in booking fee (unlike some programs) - Last-minute saver awards appear when flights aren't full Avoid: - Dynamic pricing on popular routes during peak times (prices can be 3-5x saver level) - Upgrading with miles on basic economy tickets (not allowed) - Purchasing miles at standard price (wait for promotions)
Transfer Strategy
United MileagePlus is a destination program: Inbound transfers: - Chase Ultimate Rewards: 1:1 (primary feeder) - Bilt Rewards: 1:1 - Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 (60K → 25K with bonus) Outbound transfers: - MileagePlus does not transfer to other programs Strategy tips: - Chase UR to United at 1:1 is the primary way to build up a MileagePlus balance - Bilt offers another 1:1 option - Only transfer when you have a specific award in mind - United often has saver availability that other Star Alliance programs don't show - Book directly on United.com for the widest partner availability display
Recommended Cards
United Quest
Chase
Upgrade to Quest for $200 travel credit, 10k award discount, 3x United earning, and $100 rideshare credits
United℠ Business Card
Chase
Add business card for massive 100k+2k PQP signup bonus and 2x on office/gas/dining
Compare This Card
See how the United Explorer stacks up against other cards side by side — fees, bonuses, earn rates, and more.
Related guide: Booking United Airlines Flights with Partner Miles
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