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CardCurator — Rewards Intelligence
Card Comparison

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card vs United Explorer

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

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card card art
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
American Express
More Info
United Explorer card art
United MileagePlus
United Explorer
Chase
More Info
Annual Fee
$125/yr
$150/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
150,000 points + $125 credit
Spend $8,000 in 6 months
85,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
Top Earn Rates
  • Marriott Hotels 6x
  • Restaurants (U.S.) 4x
  • Gas Stations (U.S.) 4x
  • United Purchases 2x
  • Restaurant Purchases 2x
  • Hotel Stays 2x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Pts Value
~0.80¢/pt points · industry est.
~1.30¢/pt miles · industry est.
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
Transfer Partners
  • United MileagePlus
No transfer partners
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Common Questions: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card vs United Explorer

Is the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card or United Explorer better for dining?

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns 4x on dining; United Explorer earns 2x on dining. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card wins for dining.

Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card currently offers 150,000 pts signup bonus (spend $8,000 in 6 months). United Explorer offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express 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 Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express 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. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is from American Express and United Explorer is from Chase, so they're governed by separate bank policies.