United MileagePlus® Explorer Card Review – 25,000 Bonus Miles

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Most consumers have an airline they prefer over others, and mine happens to be United Airlines. It’s not that I’ve flown every airline, or that United has gone out of their way to discount my flights or provide me the things that other airlines do not, however I can honestly say in dozens of flights, I’ve never had a problem. Sometimes a flight is delayed a few minutes, and sometimes I land a few minutes late, but I’ve never lost a bag with United, never had a problem checking in with United, and never sat in the airport for hours with United. In fact, I foolishly booked a flight with Jet Blue just a few weeks ago, and ended up sitting at the airport as my flight was delayed seven hours. Ugh.

Since I use United as my primary airline, I own the United MileagePlus® Explorer. This card includes a litany of travel perks for frequent fliers, including the following bonus miles after meeting different milestones, primarily:

• 25,000 miles after making your first purchase
• 10,000 miles when you spend $25,000 annually
• 5,000 miles when you add an authorized cardholder

25,000 miles is right at what it takes to redeem a free flight in the continental US, making this a great sign up bonus. Using your United MileagePlus® Explorer Card for purchasing airline travel on United Airlines earns you double points, and every dollar spent on the  earns one mile. There is no limit to the amount of miles that can be earned and your miles do not expire unless the account is closed (whether by request or due to default). This card also features travel protection and purchase protection benefits. See the terms and conditions for more info.

Now, you might think the big benefit of the United MileagePlus® Explorer Card are the miles and the cash back, but there’s even more of a reason to sign up for this card, because it has some of the best perks available. Every cardholder is entitled to the following benefits:

• First Checked Bag is FREE on every United flight for the cardholder and one travel companion
• 2 Annual Presidents Club Day Passes
• Special Guest Privileges through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
• Exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime events through Inside Access from Chase

All of these bonuses and benefits do come with a price, as the United MileagePlus® Explorer Card charges a $95 annual fee, which is waived for all first year cardholders. There is no introductory offer on purchases or balance transfers, and the APR is average, so this card is best for credit card users who travel frequently and pay their balance in full each month.

Here are the United MileagePlus® Explorer Card highlights:

• Earn up to 40,000 bonus miles & first year free, a $95 value*
• First checked bag is free for you and a companion when you fly United flights, up to a $50 value
• Board your flight before general boarding with priority boarding privileges
• Visit the United Club with two complimentary day passes every year, up to a $100 value
• Earn 2 miles for each $1 spent on airline tickets purchased from United and 1 mile per $1 for everything else
• Your miles don’t expire and there is no limit to the number of miles you can earn

I can honestly say, this card saves me hundreds if not thousands of dollars every year with the miles earned and the fees saved. If you fly United and you fly them often, you absolutely need to own the United MileagePlus® Explorer Card.

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