The United Explorer Card gives you points on every purchase, priority boarding, and annual travel credits

The United Explorer Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with United Airlines. When you use it, you earn United miles on purchases — typically 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and dining, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The card also includes benefits like priority boarding on United flights, an annual United travel credit, and lounge access after you spend a certain amount in a year.

The card charges an annual fee, which varies. The primary benefit is that the miles you earn can be redeemed for United flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to United's partner airlines. Unlike some rewards cards that give you cash back, this card ties your rewards directly to United travel or its partners.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 2 miles per dollar on United flights and dining purchases, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
  • The card includes priority boarding on every United flight you take, which lets you board earlier and choose better overhead bin space.
  • You receive an annual United travel credit that can be used toward any United ticket, seat selection, or baggage fees.
  • After you spend a set amount in a calendar year, you unlock complimentary lounge access at United Club locations.
  • Miles can be redeemed for flights on United or transferred to partner airlines, or used for upgrades and other travel expenses.

How the earning rate works across different purchases

The card earns miles at different rates depending on where you spend. On United Airlines tickets purchased directly from United, you earn 2 miles per dollar. Dining at restaurants also earns 2 miles per dollar, regardless of whether the restaurant is a partner or not — the card straightforward tracks the merchant category. Gas stations, groceries, and all other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar.

These rates explore whether you buy online, by phone, or in person. The miles post to your United account within a few days of the transaction clearing. If you put a large purchase on the card — say, a flight for multiple family members — the miles add up quickly. A $2,000 United ticket earns 4,000 miles at the 2x rate.

One detail that matters: the 2x rate on dining applies only to the cardholder's purchases, not to supplementary cardholders. If someone else uses an authorized user card you issue, their dining purchases earn 1 mile per dollar instead.

Priority boarding and what it includes

Priority boarding means you board before most other passengers on every United flight you take as the cardholder. You board in Group 2, which is earlier than standard economy boarding but after first-class and elite frequent flyer members. This benefit applies to you personally on every flight — you do not have to set up it or request it each time.

The practical advantage is overhead bin space. On full flights, standard economy passengers often have to gate-check their carry-on bags because the bins fill up. Priority boarding lets you board early enough that bins are still available. You also get to choose your seat from the available options in your fare class before standard boarding begins, though this depends on your ticket type.

Authorized users on your account do not receive priority boarding. Only the primary cardholder gets this benefit on every flight.

The annual travel credit and how to use it

The card includes an annual travel credit that you can use toward any United purchase. This includes tickets, seat upgrades, baggage fees, pet fees, and seat selection charges. The credit amount varies by card version, so check your card's terms. The credit is not cash back — you can only use it for United-related expenses.

The credit posts to your account once per calendar year, usually in January. If you do not use it by December 31, it expires and does not roll over to the next year. You do not have to do anything to claim it; it appears automatically in your United account. When you book a flight or pay for a fee, the credit applies at checkout if you have an unused balance.

The credit is most valuable if you fly United at least once a year. If you do not fly, the credit goes unused and represents a cost of the card's annual fee that you do not recover.

Lounge access after you reach the spending threshold

Once you spend a certain amount on the card in a calendar year, you unlock complimentary access to United Club lounges. The spending threshold varies by card version. United Club lounges are located in major airports and offer seating, food and beverages, Wi-Fi, and shower facilities.

Lounge access is not automatic — it activates after you hit the spending threshold and remains active through the end of that calendar year. It resets on January 1. If you spend the threshold amount again in the next year, access reactivates. The benefit applies to you and one companion per visit, so you can bring a travel partner into the lounge with you.

This benefit is most useful if you travel frequently enough to visit lounges multiple times per year. If you fly once or twice annually, you may not use the lounge access enough to justify the card's annual fee.

How to redeem miles for flights and upgrades

Miles can be redeemed through your United account online or by calling United's phone line. You log into your MileagePlus account, search for available flights, and choose to pay with miles instead of cash. The number of miles required depends on the route, the time of year, and demand — popular routes during peak travel times cost more miles than off-peak flights.

You can also use miles to upgrade a ticket you already purchased. If you booked an economy seat, you can bid miles to upgrade to business or first class. The cost varies by flight. Some upgrades are available at a fixed mile price; others use an auction system where you bid against other passengers.

Miles can also be transferred to United's partner airlines, which include Air Canada, Lufthansa, and others. Partner transfers sometimes offer better value on certain routes, though the transfer process takes a few days and cannot be reversed. Before transferring, research whether the partner airline has better pricing for your desired route.

Annual fee and whether the benefits justify the cost

The United Explorer Card charges an annual fee. The amount varies depending on which version of the card you hold — there are different versions for different spending levels. You are charged this fee once per year, typically on your card anniversary.

Whether the fee is worth it depends on how much you fly and how much you spend on dining. If you fly United at least once a year and use the annual travel credit, the credit alone may offset a portion of the fee. Priority boarding saves you money if you would otherwise pay for a premium seat or checked baggage. The lounge access has value if you travel frequently enough to visit multiple times per year.

If you fly United rarely or not at all, the annual fee is a cost with limited return. If you fly frequently and spend heavily on dining, the miles you earn can add up to significant value over the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the annual travel credit in the same year it posts?

Yes. The credit expires on December 31 of the year it posts and does not carry over. If you receive a credit in January and do not use it by year-end, it is forfeited. Plan your United purchases around when the credit posts so you can use it before it expires.

Can I transfer my miles to someone else?

No, miles are tied to your MileagePlus account and cannot be transferred to another person's account. However, you can use your miles to book a flight for someone else — you just have to be the one redeeming the miles. If you want to give miles to a family member, you would need to add them as an authorized user on your card so they earn miles on their own purchases.

What happens to my priority boarding if I cancel the card?

Priority boarding ends when your card is closed. If you close the card mid-year, you lose priority boarding on future flights, though any flights you already booked will honor the priority boarding you had when you booked them. The annual travel credit also expires when the card is closed.

Are the miles I earn taxable income?

Miles earned through credit card purchases are generally not considered taxable income by the IRS. However, if you receive a large bonus of miles as a sign-up offer, that may be treated differently depending on the circumstances. Consult a tax professional if you have questions about your specific situation.

Can I use miles to book flights on airlines other than United?

Yes, but only through United's partner airlines. You cannot use United miles to book flights on American, Delta, or Southwest. You can transfer miles to partners like Air Canada or Lufthansa and book through their systems, or you can search for partner award flights through United's website and book directly.