Chase · Airline miles · Visa

United Explorer: what it's really worth

The United Explorer has a $150 annual fee ($0 the first year). For a typical household spending $2,070 a month, it's worth about $1,137 in year one and $267 each year after.

Annual fee$150$0 the first year

Sign-up bonus$72060,000 miles after $3,000 in 3 mo

Net value · year 1$1,137

Net value · each year after$267

2026 offers ranged from 50,000 to 80,000 miles.

Calculate it with your own spending

Is the annual fee worth it?

Probably not worth the fee after year one for typical spending: the no-fee Hilton Honors Card would net about $239 a year more. It can still make sense if you spend more in its bonus categories or use more of its credits.

How you earn

Category	Rate	Value per $1	Per year*
Dining	2x	2.4¢	$86
Groceries	1x	1.2¢	$72
Hotels	2x	2.4¢	$23
Flights	2x	2.4¢	$29
Gas	1x	1.2¢	$22
Streaming	1x	1.2¢	$6
Everything else	1x	1.2¢	$130

*At typical monthly spending: dining $300, groceries $500, hotels $80, flights $100, gas $150, streaming $40, everything else $900. Higher rates on eligible United purchases; 2x on dining and hotels booked direct.

Credits and perks

$100 United Hotels credit — Two $50 credits on prepaid United Hotels bookings. We count about $50 a year, since most people don't use every dollar.
First checked bag free
Priority boarding
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit
Foreign transaction fee: none

Who it's for

United flyers — free first bag for you and a companion
Two United Club passes every year
Not ideal: People who don't fly United

Can I get it?

Recommended credit: Good
Chase rules: 5/24: usually denied if you've opened 5+ personal cards (any bank) in the last 24 months. The bonus may be unavailable if you've had this card before.
Visa: Accepted almost everywhere, including Costco warehouses (Visa only).

Check the current offer at Chase

Updated Oct 30, 2026.