When it comes to cobranded airline credit cards, United loyalists have four main options for personal cards. They include the United℠ Explorer Card (one of the mid-tier cards) and the United Club℠ Infinite Card (the most premium card), both issued by Chase.
The average traveler might get more mileage (so to speak) out of a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) — both of which earn bonus points on a wide range of purchases that can be transferred to several different airline and hotel partners.
But those looking for United-specific benefits will want to take a look at cobranded United cards. Here are the factors to help you decide which United card is the best choice for you.
United Club Infinite vs. United Explorer comparison
| Card | United Explorer Card | United Club Infinite Card |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months | 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months |
| Annual fee | $0 the first year, then $95 | $525 |
| Earning rates | 2 miles per dollar on purchases with United
2 miles per dollar on dining 2 miles per dollar on hotel stays booked directly with hotels 1 mile per dollar on everything else |
4 miles per dollar on purchases with United
2 miles per dollar on all other travel 2 miles per dollar on dining 1 mile per dollar on everything else |
| Benefits | Two one-time United Club passes after account opening and on each anniversary
Free first checked bag Priority boarding 25% off inflight United purchases Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS Earn up to 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) Expanded award availability No foreign transaction fees |
United Club membership
Free first and second checked bags Premier Access travel services (priority access for check-in, security screening where available, boarding and baggage handling) 25% off inflight United purchases Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS IHG One Rewards Platinum status and a $75 statement credit Complimentary Premier upgrades on award flights for United elite members 10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards Earn up to 8,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) Expanded award availability No foreign transaction fees |
United Club Infinite vs. United Explorer welcome bonus
The United Club Infinite Card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 80,000 United miles after you spend $5,000 in the first three months your account is open. Based on TPG’s valuations, these bonus miles are worth $880.
The United Explorer Card offers a lower sign-up bonus of 60,000 bonus United miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months your account is open. Based on TPG’s valuations, these bonus miles are worth $660.
Winner: Infinite.
Related reading: Cards currently offering welcome bonuses of 100,000 points or more
United Club Infinite vs. United Explorer benefits
As you’d expect, both cards offer benefits specifically for flying United. Let’s look at similar benefits first.
Both offer a free first checked bag, priority boarding, 25% off inflight United purchases, a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS credit, no foreign transaction fees and expanded award availability.
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You’ll also earn 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) for every $12,000 in net purchases up to a maximum of 1,000 PQP in a calendar year for the Explorer but 8,000 PQP with the Infinite.
A major difference between the two cards is the annual fee. The Explorer has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95; the Infinite charges $525.
In terms of lounge access, the Explorer provides two one-time United Club passes each year, while the Infinite gives you a full United Club membership.
The Infinite gives cardholders more United perks, including a second free checked bag, priority check-in and baggage handling, IHG One Rewards Platinum status and a $75 statement credit, complimentary upgrades on award flights (where available) and a 10% discount on Economy Saver Awards.
Winner: Infinite.
Earning miles with the United Club Infinite vs. United Explorer
Both United cards earn 2 miles per dollar spent on dining. But that’s where the similarities end.
The United Explorer Card 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases with United and hotel accommodations when booked directly with the hotel, as well as 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else.
Meanwhile, the United Club Infinite Card earns 4 miles per dollar on purchases with United, 2 miles per dollar on all other travel (including airfare, trains, local transit, cruise lines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, resorts, ride-share, ride-sharing services and tolls), and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else.
Based on TPG’s valuation of United miles at 1.1 cents each, this means you’ll earn a 2.2% return on United, restaurant, and hotel purchases with the Explorer Card, along with 1.1% on all other purchases. On the other hand, you’ll earn 4.4% on United purchases, along with 2.2% on other travel and dining with the United Club Infinite Card.
None of these earning rates are overly compelling unless you need United miles for an upcoming redemption. Even then, from an earning standpoint, you may be better off using cards in the Chase Trifecta or Chase Quartet and then transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United miles.
Winner: Infinite.
Redeeming miles with the United Club Infinite vs. United Explorer
Both cards allow you to earn United miles through credit card spending, which are automatically deposited into your MileagePlus account. You can redeem points for United and United-Express flights, in addition to flights on Star Alliance carriers and partner airlines.
When redeeming United miles, you’ll get the best value when booking saver-level tickets because they are priced the lowest. Unfortunately, United’s recent devaluation has greatly affected the cost of redemptions, and some awards have increased by up to 122%.
Winner: Both. These cards earn United miles, which can be redeemed through the MileagePlus program.
Should I get the United Club Infinite or United Explorer?
If you want to earn United miles and get priority boarding and a complimentary checked bag when flying United on a semi-frequent basis, the United Explorer Card is the one for you. However, the United Club Infinite Card is the better choice if you are a die-hard United frequent flyer, as you’ll get a United Club membership and more benefits when flying the airline.
Bottom line
The United Explorer and United Club Infinite are two of the best-cobranded cards at United has to offer. It comes down to which card’s benefits you will maximize enough to meet your travel goals and justify paying its annual fee. If you fly United frequently, then the Infinite is a good choice. However, if you only fly United 3-4 times a year, the Explorer is probably enough for you.
To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Infinite and Explorer cards.
Apply here: United Club Infinite
Apply here: United Club Explorer
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Additional reporting by Eric Rosen and Katie Genter.
