United Explorer Card

The United Explorer is the entry-tier United cobrand done right: $0 the first year, a free first checked bag, and 2 United Club passes a year, alongside a partner credit suite worth more than $500 that makes the $150 going-forward fee easy to amortize if you fly United even occasionally. The 2x earn on United purchases and dining is decent, though the real value is operational, since it covers the checked bag, priority boarding, and lounge access twice a year.

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Annual fee

$150

$12.50/mo equivalent

Waived first year
Welcome offer

70,000 miles

≈$910 at our valuation
after $3,000 in 3 months
Recommended credit

700-790

Median 730. See why →

Earning rates

on United MileagePlus

2x

Airfare

United direct only
2x

Dining
2x

Hotels Resorts

Direct with hotel
1x

Everything else

Benefits and credits

Travel credits and perks

$500+ in Annual Partner Credits
2 United Club One-Time Passes
Free First Checked Bag
Priority Boarding
Roadside Dispatch
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services

Purchase and protection benefits

Extended Warranty Protection

Up to $10,000
Purchase Protection

Up to $10,000 · 120d

Travel and purchase coverage

Baggage delay

$100

Delay threshold 6h

Secondary coverage
Lost luggage

$3,000

Secondary coverage
Rental car collision damage waiver

Primary coverage
Travel accident insurance

$500,000

Secondary coverage
Trip cancellation and interruption

$1,500

Secondary coverage

Pricing and fees

Full Pricing and Terms

Purchase APR: 19.74% to 28.24%
Foreign tx: None
Penalty APR (cap): 29.99%
Balance transfer: 19.74% to 28.24%; Fee $5 or 5.00%, whichever is greater
Cash advance: 28.49%; Fee $10 or 5.00%, whichever is greater
Late / returned: $40 · $40

Eligibility and application

Card type

Unsecured personal card
Pre-qualification

Soft-pull pre-qualification available
Application inquiry

Hard credit inquiry on submission
Approval bureau

Not disclosed by issuer
Authorized user fee

Free
Reports AU to bureaus

Conditional

Reports adult AU activity to all three bureaus; does not report minors (under 18).
Issuer policy

How the recommended credit score is derived

Reported by users, not disclosed by the issuer. Synthesized from community-reported approval data points and cross-checked against industry editorial guidance for consensus.

5 data points reviewed

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Sources

Data current as of May 14, 2026 Report an inaccuracy

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Not financial advice

ccdeck is not a financial advisor. Information here is for educational purposes only. Confirm card terms with the issuer before applying.