Exploring the Skies: Why the Chase United Explorer Card Might Be Your Ticket to Better Travel
When I first heard about the Chase United Explorer Card, my ears perked up—not just because of “free lounge passes” or “priority boarding,” but because of the way the signup bonus and fee are structured: generous, border-on-tempting, and—if you use it right—an excellent value.
I personally used the bonus points to help with an upcoming International trip. Low cost, with potential big reward.
Here’s what stood out in my research (as of mid-2025), and what you should know if you’re considering applying.
What’s the Signup Bonus?
- New cardmembers can earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of having the account.
- There are also a few extra ways to squeeze more value (through authorized users, etc.), depending on promotions. But the 60K after \$3K is the headline.
That kind of bonus can get you a decent round trip (or more) depending on United’s routing, class, and when you travel—not to mention any award discounts or promotions that United might run. It gives a strong jump-start to United’s MileagePlus program.
What About the Annual Fee?
Here’s where things get especially interesting:
- $0 Intro Annual Fee for the first year — you get a full year without paying the annual fee.
- After the first year, the fee kicks in at $150/year.
So yes, it’s not one of the no-fee cards long-term—but waived for the first year helps a lot, especially combined with the signup miles, to see plenty of upside before paying anything.
As we’ve covered many times before, you should keep your new cards for at least 2 years before you cancel (or downgrade). Even at $150 for 2 years, this is a good deal!
Travel Perks & Why the Fee Can Be “Worth It”
A card isn’t just about miles—it’s about what the benefits save you (or enhance your experience). With the United Explorer, the perks are quite solid:
- Free first checked bag for you and one companion on United flights (if you use the card to pay for the ticket).
- Priority boarding.
- Two United Club one-time passes per year!
- $120 statement credit every 4 years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
- A variety of partner/merchant credits that add up: hotel stays via United Hotels, rideshare credits, car rental discounts through United’s partner sites, Instacart credits, etc. Depending on how you travel and spend, these can cover a good portion of what you’d pay in fees.
So, Is It “Low Fee” or Not?
“Low” is relative. If you never fly United, or if you don’t use the perks and credits, then $150 year can feel steep once the intro year is over.
But if you:
- Fly United even a handful of times per year (so things like free checked bag, boarding perks, etc., are meaningful),
- Make the minimum spend to get the 60,000-mile bonus,
- Use the various credits and partner perks,
…then $0 for the first year + 60K miles + benefits could easily outweigh what you pay the second year. It becomes less a cost and more part of the investment in travel comfort and savings.
Final Verdict
If I were travelling regularly or even occasionally with United, I’d lean toward getting this card—especially during the $0 first-year deal. For me, the sweet spot is:
- Capture the signup bonus,
- Use the card for United purchases + dining/hotels to rack up 2× miles,
- Leverage the credits and perks so they offset the fee in year two.
If your upcoming travel is on United, or you are thinking about a trip for next year and United is an option, then this card may be the perfect one for you!
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