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CardCurator — Rewards Intelligence
Card Comparison

Cathay Pacific World Elite Mastercard vs United Explorer

Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.

Cathay Pacific World Elite Mastercard card art
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Cathay Pacific World Elite Mastercard
Synchrony Bank
More Info
United Explorer card art
United MileagePlus
United Explorer
Chase
More Info
Annual Fee
$99/yr
$150/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
38,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
85,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
Top Earn Rates
  • Cathay Pacific 3x
  • Dining 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
  • Earn 10 Status Points
  • Priority Boarding & Check In
  • 2 United Club one-time passes per year
Transfer Partners
No transfer partners
No transfer partners
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Common Questions: Cathay Pacific World Elite Mastercard vs United Explorer

Is the Cathay Pacific World Elite Mastercard or United Explorer better for dining?

Cathay Pacific World Elite Mastercard earns 2x on dining; United Explorer earns 2x on dining. Cathay Pacific World Elite Mastercard wins for dining.

Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?

Cathay Pacific World Elite Mastercard currently offers 38,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). United Explorer offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). United Explorer 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 Cathay Pacific World Elite Mastercard 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. Cathay Pacific World Elite Mastercard is from Synchrony Bank and United Explorer is from Chase, so they're governed by separate bank policies.