The Chase Sapphire Reserve edges out the United Explorer for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 150,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 8x vs 3x). The United Explorer is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
- Chase Travel 8x
- Lyft 5x
- Flights (Direct) 4x
- United Purchases 3x
- Restaurant Purchases 2x
- Hotel Stays 2x
- Annual Travel Credit $300
- The Edit Hotel Credit $250
- United Travel Credit $100
- United Hotels Credit $50
- United Hotels Credit $50
- +4 more
- Priority Pass Select
- Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
- DashPass
- +3 more
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- British Airways Executive Club
- Flying Blue
- +9 more
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve edges out the United Explorer for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 150,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 8x vs 3x). The United Explorer is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee. On raw upside, Chase Sapphire Reserve tops out at 8x versus 3x for United Explorer. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1500 for Chase Sapphire Reserve and $800 for United Explorer. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/chase-sapphire-reserve-vs-united-explorer
- Chase Sapphire Reserve wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Chase Sapphire Reserve reaches 8x; United Explorer reaches 3x.
- Annual fee: Chase Sapphire Reserve is $795/yr; United Explorer is $150/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $1500 and $800.
Common Questions: Chase Sapphire Reserve vs United Explorer
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve or United Explorer better for dining?
Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x on dining; United Explorer earns 2x on dining. Chase Sapphire Reserve wins for dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Chase Sapphire Reserve currently offers 150,000 pts signup bonus (spend $6,000 in 3 months). United Explorer offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Chase Sapphire Reserve 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve 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.