Card Comparison
British Airways Visa vs United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Annual Fee
$95/yr
$150/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
85,000 points
Spend $5,000 in 3 months
85,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
Top Earn Rates
- British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia 3x
- hotel accommodations when booked directly with the hotel 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- United Purchases 2x
- Restaurant Purchases 2x
- Hotel Stays 2x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Key Credits
None
- Statement Credit $5
- Statement Credit $50
- Statement Credit $50
- +1 more
Card Perks
None listed
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year
Spend Milestones
- Travel Together Ticket every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways credit card. Valid for two years when you redeem Avios for a flight on British Airways for a companion traveling on the same flight, or use it for a 50% discount on the Avios price you pay when booking a solo reward flightAfter $30,000 spend
No milestones
Transfer Partners
No transfer partners
No transfer partners
Common Questions: British Airways Visa vs United Explorer
Is the British Airways Visa or United Explorer better for dining?
British Airways Visa has no dining bonus; United Explorer earns 2x on dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
British Airways Visa currently offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $5,000 in 3 months). United Explorer offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). British Airways Visa has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the British Airways Visa and the United Explorer?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from Chase, so check their specific application rules.