United Explorer Card vs. PayPal Cashback Mastercard
On the criteria below, United Explorer Card wins 3 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
United Explorer Card
Chase
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Synchrony
United Explorer Card wins 3 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
United Explorer Card wins on first-year math, travel insurance, and foreign transactions; PayPal Cashback Mastercard wins on annual fee and earning ceiling.
Pick the United Explorer Card if year-one math is your priority; take the PayPal Cashback Mastercard if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
3 vs 2- First-year math United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee PayPal Cashback Mastercard
PayPal Cashback Mastercard is $150 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling PayPal Cashback Mastercard
PayPal Cashback Mastercard earns more on its best category (3× vs 2×).
- Travel insurance United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card carries built-in travel insurance.
- Foreign transactions United Explorer Card
United Explorer Card has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $150
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $910
- —
- First-year net
- +$760
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 2×
- 3×
- Top categories
- Airfare, Hotels Resorts, Dining
- PayPal Purchases
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- United MileagePlus
- PayPal Cash Rewards
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.