Credit card review
Chase United Explorer Card Review
ChaseVisaTravel
Chase United Explorer Card earned 4.2 / 5 in our 2026 review. The Chase United Explorer Card earns 2x on united purchases with a $95 annual fee, a 50,000 bonus miles welcome offer. Here is the full Fintiex review for 2026.
By the Fintiex Card Desk · Updated 2026-04-29
TL;DR
Annual fee
$95
Signup bonus
$700
Top reward rate
2x on united purchases
Intro APR
None
Issuer
Chase
Network
Visa
Min credit score
690
Fintiex rating
4.2 / 5
Pros
- +First checked bag free for you and one companion (saves up to $140 per round trip)
- +2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotels
- +50,000 mile bonus after spending $3,000 in first 3 months
- +Priority boarding privileges
- +No foreign transaction fees
- +2 United Club one-time-use passes per year
- +25% back as statement credit on United in-flight purchases
- +Expanded award availability on United flights
- +$0 intro annual fee (then $95)
Cons
- -$95 annual fee after first year
- -Miles locked to United MileagePlus ecosystem (and Star Alliance partners)
- -No United Club membership (just one-time passes)
- -Chase 5/24 rule applies
- -Award availability can be limited on popular routes
Rewards detail
united purchases
2x
dining
2x
hotels
2x
everything else
1x
Rates and fees
Annual fee
$95
Purchase APR
21.99% to 28.99%
Variable, based on prime rate and creditworthiness
Intro APR
Not offered
Balance transfer APR
21.99% to 28.99%
Cash advance APR
29.99%
Balance transfer fee
5%
Or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Who it's for
The United Explorer Card is built for people who want a travel card. Most approvals land at FICO 690 and above, but issuers prefer scores near 720. If your credit profile is below the minimum, look at one of the secured or student picks on our hub before applying to avoid an unnecessary hard inquiry.
Not sure this is the right fit? See our best travel cards roundup.
Compare with similar cards
Frequently asked questions
Does the United Explorer Card have a foreign transaction fee?
No. The Chase United Explorer Card charges no foreign transaction fees, so it works well for travel abroad. You pay the same network exchange rate you would get at home.
What credit score do I need for the United Explorer Card?
Approvals typically start around a FICO score of 690, but Chase prefers 720 and above. Income, debt-to-income ratio, and existing relationships with the issuer also factor in.
How much is the United Explorer Card signup bonus?
New cardholders earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first few months. Fintiex values that at about $700 based on current redemption rates. Match the bonus to a real planned purchase so you do not overspend chasing it.
Does the United Explorer Card have a 0% intro APR offer?
No. The Chase United Explorer Card does not currently offer a 0% intro APR period. The standard variable purchase APR is 21.99% to 28.99%. If you need a 0% intro card for a big purchase or balance transfer, check our 0% APR picks instead.
How much is the annual fee on the United Explorer Card?
$95 per year. To break even you need to earn enough rewards and credits to cover that fee. We walk through the math in the rewards detail section above.
Is the United Explorer Card worth it?
Fintiex rates the Chase United Explorer Card 4.2 out of 5 for 2026. It is best for travel. Compare against our top picks in each category before you apply to make sure it matches your spending pattern.
Ready to apply for the United Explorer Card?
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