United MileagePlus® Explorer Card

If you're a frequent flyer or road warrior, an airline or travel card will help you earn perks faster. These cards are generally recommended only if you pay off your balance in full every month. They tend to have a higher interest rate, which means you could end up paying many times over in interest for the airline miles you accumulate. Keep in mind that these cards generally require a good to excellent credit rating for approval.

• 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
• Check your first bag for free (a savings of up to $100 per roundtrip) when you use your Card to purchase your ticket
• Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Your miles don't expire as long as your credit card account is open, with no limit to the number of miles you can earn
• $95 annual fee

• Free checked bag and priority boarding
• Two United Club passes annually
• Bonus miles when you spend $25,000 in a year
• Miles don't expire as long as you're a cardholder

• Has annual fee
• Checked bag fee waived for fewer traveling partners than competitors
• Best for frequent United flyers only