Credit cards aim to promote ease of shopping and, above all, customer loyalty. In the case of air travel, with United, flying is a crucial matter for those seeking to maximize the benefits of the credit card.
But for those already frequent United passengers, the rewards offered by the card are highly relevant. To do so, all you need to do is accumulate additional miles to make the most of the advantages provided by the United Explorer. In this post, discover other ways to acquire the redemption of your miles!
Maximize Miles with the United Explorer Card
The United Explorer card offers a signup bonus of 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. Plan your credit card expenses strategically to meet these spending requirements and enjoy the rewards.
Additionally, you have the opportunity to earn 2 United MileagePlus miles per dollar spent on United purchases. This card offers double miles on restaurant and hotel purchases, making the United Explorer card particularly appealing for everyday use, speeding up the accumulation of miles.
Benefits of the United Explorer Credit Card
Accumulating Rewards ‒ Earn 2 miles per dollar on dining and United purchases and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases.
Redeeming Your Rewards ‒ Bonus miles can cover economy flights to destinations such as the Caribbean.
Reward Potential – Families can accumulate up to 44,491 miles annually, including card benefits.
First Checked Bag Free ‒ The primary cardholder and companion enjoy the first checked bag for free on United flights.
Two United Club Access Passes ‒ Receive two exclusive United Club passes annually.
Ample Award Ticket Availability ‒ Access exclusive awards to maximize the value of your miles.
Earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) ‒ Earn up to 1,000 PQP per year with card spending.
Free Upgrades for MileagePlus Premier ‒ Premier status holders can get free upgrades on award tickets.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Annual Fee Waived in the First Year ‒ The United Explorer Card offers a bonus to new cardholders, waiving the annual fee in the first year. This allows you to experience the card’s benefits without initial costs.
First Checked Bag Free and Priority Boarding ‒ Passengers enjoy the privilege of checking the first bag for free and have access to priority boarding, saving time and money.
Earn Unlimited Miles with No Restrictions ‒ The card does not impose limits on the number of miles you can earn, which is great for accumulating rewards on your travels.
No Unavailable Dates ‒ Flexibility is a highlight as the card does not restrict the availability of dates for reward redemption.
Cos
Saver Awards Seat Limitations ‒ Some may encounter limitations on available seats for Saver Awards, which can make booking discounted flights challenging.
High Prices on Everyday Awards Flights ‒ Everyday Awards flights may be costly in terms of miles required for redemption, making them less accessible.
No 0% Intro APR Offer ‒ The card does not offer a 0% introductory interest rate, which may affect those looking to make balance transfers or finance purchases.
High Regular APR ‒ The regular annual percentage rate (APR) can be considered high compared to other credit cards, so it’s important to keep this in mind, especially if you carry a balance.
Is the United Explorer card worth it?
If you are a frequent traveler with United Airlines and do not yet have Premier status, the free checked baggage benefit can offset the card’s annual fee. Due to this benefit, even couples who travel with United once a year may consider acquiring the card.
In addition to these, there are several other card benefits, including bonus miles, beverages, PreCheck, and priority boarding. However, if you do not wish to commit to a specific airline program, it may be interesting to explore cards that offer more flexible rewards before making a decision.
