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The United Explorer Card is most likely to justify its ongoing $150 annual fee for people who regularly fly United and will use benefits such as a free checked bag or the two United Club passes. Chase lists a $0 annual fee for the first year, then $150; whether the card pays off after that depends on benefits you would actually use—not the maximum value advertised for conditional credits.
United Explorer Card fee and pricing
Chase’s current pricing page lists a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, followed by a $150 annual fee. Its application page also displays a variable APR of 19.74%–28.24%, depending on creditworthiness; the APR can change. Check Chase’s live pricing and detailed terms before applying, since offers and rates may change.
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Southwest Airlines eGift Card | $500.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Visa Physical Gift Card $200 (plus $6.95 Purchase Fee) | $206.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Southwest Airlines Physical Gift Card | $200.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Southwest Airlines Physical Gift Card | $250.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Southwest Airlines eGift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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To judge the fee, count only benefits you expect to use and qualify for. A credit with a stated cap is not equivalent to cash if it requires a particular booking, enrollment, or purchase you would not otherwise make.
What benefits do you get with the United Explorer Card?
Free checked bag on eligible United flights
The primary cardmember and one companion on the same reservation can each receive a first standard checked bag free on eligible United- or United Express-operated flights. Chase estimates the saving at up to $50 each way per person, or up to $200 for two people on a round trip; those are potential savings, not a guaranteed cash benefit, and depend on the itinerary and applicable baggage fees.
#1 Best Overall
- The gift that lets them fly to 85+ destinations.
- No fees. No expiration. Ever.
- Gift a getaway because special days deserve special destinations.
- Valid Only For Southwest Airlines Flights
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
The primary cardmember’s MileagePlus number must be attached to the reservation. Except for flights completed within 90 days after account opening, the ticket must be purchased from United using the card. The benefit does not apply to codeshares operated by partner airlines, and overweight, oversized, or additional bags can still incur charges. Authorized users qualify only when traveling on the same reservation as the primary cardmember. See Chase’s detailed benefit terms for conditions.
Two United Club one-time passes
The card provides two one-time United Club passes after account opening and two more each 12 months while the account remains open. These are visits, not an unlimited lounge membership. Passes are subject to United Club access policies, expire as stated on each pass, cannot be transferred, and have no cash value.
Rank #2
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Credits and other travel perks
Chase lists several additional benefits, each with its own eligibility rules and limits. Examples include:
- Up to $120 every four years toward an application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.
- United Hotels credits and rideshare credits, with enrollment or qualifying purchases required for some offers.
- Credits connected with United/Avis or Budget and JSX, plus Instacart+ and related credits with stated dates.
- Priority boarding and award-pricing benefits.
These offers are not interchangeable with a blanket statement that the card returns a particular dollar amount every year. Check the current benefit list and each benefit’s terms, including any enrollment, booking, or annual-limit requirements.
Rank #3
- This item has a quantity limit of 2 units per customer per week
- Give the gift of travel.
- A perfect gift for any occasion.
- Amazon.com Gift Cards cannot be used as a method of payment for this item.
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Travel and purchase protections
Chase lists benefits that include baggage delay, lost luggage, trip delay, trip cancellation or interruption, travel accident, auto rental, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage. Coverage limits, exclusions, and claim requirements apply; Chase directs cardmembers to its logged-in Card Benefits area for current details. Treat the list as a starting point, not a complete coverage summary.
How United Explorer miles are earned
| Eligible spending | Card miles per dollar |
|---|---|
| Eligible United purchases | 3 miles |
| Dining and hotel stays booked directly with the hotel | 2 miles |
| Other eligible purchases | 1 mile |
These are the card-earning rates listed by Chase. Chase also advertises up to 9 total miles per dollar on eligible United flights by combining 3 miles from the card with 6 miles from MileagePlus member flight earnings. The 9x figure is not the card’s standalone earning rate, and eligible flight earnings may differ for Basic Economy or base-option tickets. See the United Explorer Card Rewards Program Agreement for rewards rules.
Rank #4
- A Southwest gift card may only be redeemed at southwest.com, by calling Southwest Airlines at 1-800-435-9792 (1-800 I FLY SWA) and at Southwest Airlines ticket counter locations.
- Redemption: Instore and Online
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Is the United Explorer Card worth its annual fee?
Compare the ongoing $150 fee with the value of benefits you will use in a typical year:
- Regularly check bags on United: The free first-bag benefit can be valuable for the primary cardmember and a companion when the flight and purchase conditions are met.
- Use airport lounges occasionally: Two Club visits may matter if you would otherwise pay for access, but they do not provide unlimited visits.
- Spend in the bonus categories: The 3x United and 2x dining and direct-hotel rates can be useful if those purchases already fit your travel habits.
- Can use the credits naturally: Count a credit only when you meet its terms and would make the qualifying purchase anyway.
A traveler who often flies United and checks bags has a clearer path to value than someone who rarely uses United, travels without checked luggage, or would have to change spending to use credits. The first-year fee waiver may lower the initial cost, but it does not determine whether the card is worthwhile in later years.
Best Value
- The gift that lets them fly to 85+ destinations.
- No fees. No expiration. Ever.
- Gift a getaway because special days deserve special destinations.
- Redeem Online, At Ticket Counter Or Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA
- Valid Only For Southwest Airlines Flights
Who should consider the United Explorer Card?
It is a better fit for United-focused travelers who can reliably use the bag benefit, Club passes, or relevant credits. Occasional United passengers should compare the value of those specific benefits with the recurring fee rather than assume that all advertised perks will produce savings. If you carry a balance, interest charges at the displayed variable APR can outweigh rewards; paying the statement balance in full is important when evaluating a rewards card.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
