Capital One Platinum Credit Card vs. United Explorer Card
On the criteria below, United Explorer Card wins 3 of 4. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Capital One
United Explorer Card
Chase
United Explorer Card wins 3 of 4 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Capital One Platinum Credit Card wins on annual fee; United Explorer Card wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, and travel insurance.
Pick the United Explorer Card if year-one math is your priority; take the Capital One Platinum Credit Card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
1 vs 3- First-year math United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Capital One Platinum Credit Card is $150 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card earns more on its best category (2× vs 0×).
- Travel insurance United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card carries built-in travel insurance.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- Free
- $150
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- —
- $910
- First-year net
- +$0
- +$760
- Peak earning rate
- —
- 2×
- Top categories
- —
- Airfare, Dining, Hotels Resorts
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- No
- Yes
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- None
- Reward currency
- —
- United MileagePlus
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.