The JetBlue Plus Card edges out the United Explorer for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 75,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 6x vs 3x). The United Explorer is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem.
JetBlue Plus Card 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.
- JetBlue Purchases 6x
- Restaurants and Grocery Stores 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- United Purchases 3x
- Restaurant Purchases 2x
- Hotel Stays 2x
- JetBlue Vacations package $100
- United Travel Credit $100
- United Hotels Credit $50
- United Hotels Credit $50
- +4 more
- Free first checked bag (~$70/yr)
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The JetBlue Plus Card edges out the United Explorer for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 75,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 6x vs 3x). The United Explorer is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem. On raw upside, JetBlue Plus Card tops out at 6x versus 3x for United Explorer. Current signup bonus values are roughly $910 for JetBlue Plus Card and $800 for United Explorer. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/jetblue-plus-card-vs-united-explorer
- JetBlue Plus Card wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: JetBlue Plus Card reaches 6x; United Explorer reaches 3x.
- Annual fee: JetBlue Plus Card is $99/yr; United Explorer is $150/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $910 and $800.
Common Questions: JetBlue Plus Card vs United Explorer
Is the JetBlue Plus Card or United Explorer better for dining?
JetBlue Plus Card earns 2x on dining; United Explorer earns 2x on dining. JetBlue Plus Card wins for dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
JetBlue Plus Card currently offers 75,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). United Explorer offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). JetBlue Plus Card 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 JetBlue Plus Card 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. JetBlue Plus Card is from Barclays and United Explorer is from Chase, so they're governed by separate bank policies.