Topic Wiki

Click Here to get more details on this card and compare to other cards!

United MileagePlus Explorer Guide to Benefits

Matching is not guaranteed anymore YMMV

Personal Card
Public offer in the Bank is 50K+5K                            Sign up for the 30+5K offer. You can get matched to the higher offer by sending a secure message after you are approved to be matched to the 55K + $50 offer that you say your colleague received.

If its your:
First time: After you sign for the 30k + 5k for adding an AU offer, you can SM Chase to match you to the 55k + $50 offer.
2nd+: Sign up with a new Frequent Flyer # (FFN), and SM AFTER receiving the first 30k. Make sure to create the new FFN with United BEFORE submitting the Application to Chase, or they'll default to your previous number, even if you leave the field blank.

Make sure to add an AU to receive the final 5k, for a total of 55k +$50.

Business Card
On the business card, you can get matched to 50k.
Follow the same process as the personal card.
Note: There is no 5k bonus for adding an AU to the biz card, so when you SM, make sure to ask to be matched to the 50k offer, not a 55k offer which doesn't exist for this card.


It could take up to a week to get a response from the Secure Message Center

Here is a link within your United account, which some DDFers have reported to received a 50k offer for the Explorer card, and the annual fee waived for the Club Card.

If u have a UMPE card and NO status, then you can do upgrades from a coach pts booking to bus/1st pts booking for just incremental pt + taxes, no fees. If you don't have the card they said they'd charge the all-dreaded rebooking fee of $100/person (always the chance to get it waived).
« Last edited by Aerial Dag on July 02, 2019, 04:40:26 PM »

Author Topic: United MileagePlus Explorer Card  (Read 1585924 times)

Offline Dovdovmoneytree

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2017
  • Posts: 509
  • Total likes: 25
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: USA
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5760 on: October 31, 2022, 06:03:52 PM »
Pretty sure the free checked bag from the United cards is only for cardholder and a companion on the same reservation.

Oh, that explains it. I used my card for both flights... Thanks

It seems like just paying the taxes triggers the free bag, I always thought this was not so black on white?

Offline Shaya E

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2020
  • Posts: 500
  • Total likes: 199
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5761 on: October 31, 2022, 06:46:13 PM »

It seems like just paying the taxes triggers the free bag, I always thought this was not so black on white?
Its actually very clear that it does. The blurry area is when booking through chase travel portal using UR and paying some of it with your card. According to the terms it shouldn't work but it usually does

Offline koslo

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Sep 2022
  • Posts: 47
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5762 on: November 01, 2022, 01:38:44 PM »
can i get a business card while in 5 24

Offline Shaya E

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2020
  • Posts: 500
  • Total likes: 199
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5763 on: November 01, 2022, 01:40:23 PM »
can i get a business card while in 5 24
Nope

But there were reports a while back about cobranded cards not always having 5/24 enforced. Don't know if that's still a thing though.

Offline alan519

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 12
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5764 on: December 04, 2022, 01:12:18 PM »
I always get the bummer end as I use Amex platinum with united as my preferred airline and lose the fee bag. Any ideas how to work that issue out?

Offline foseph

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 410
  • Total likes: 10
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5765 on: January 08, 2023, 02:11:25 PM »
Oh, that explains it. I used my card for both flights... Thanks

It seems like just paying the taxes triggers the free bag, I always thought this was not so black on white?
i guess i messed up a bit, if i used Chase pts for all the tix is there a way to add the card after the fact to get free bags?

Offline Shaya E

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2020
  • Posts: 500
  • Total likes: 199
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5766 on: January 08, 2023, 02:57:43 PM »
i guess i messed up a bit, if i used Chase pts for all the tix is there a way to add the card after the fact to get free bags?
Sometimes paying any charge on the card will trigger the benefits. I'm not sure what the smallest charge is but some ideas can be paying for a seat or paying for a bag.

Offline UKinNYS

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2020
  • Posts: 1189
  • Total likes: 527
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 8
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5767 on: January 17, 2023, 04:15:36 PM »
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/17/united-airlines-ual-earnings-q4-2022.html
would love to have @Dan listen in to earnings call and report some nuggets!

Offline yelped

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2015
  • Posts: 12416
  • Total likes: 4931
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 45
    • View Profile
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5768 on: July 06, 2023, 04:12:44 PM »
@Dan  I got three emails with different stackable offers.

1. Register today, select your reward and use your UnitedSM Explorer Card on purchases between July 1 and September 30, 2023. You'll qualify for your reward after spending $3,700 in net purchases on your registered United® card.¹ The sooner you hit your goal, the sooner you get your reward.
 
 
Register by September 15, 2023, and pick a reward that fits your plans

2,500 bonus miles

$30 in travel credit

125 Premier® qualifying points

Have to choose one of the above.

2.  Earn 250 bonus miles
Just make at least 3 purchases while spending $50 or more in July
 
+
 
Earn 250 bonus miles
Just make at least 3 purchases while spending $50 or more in August
 
+
 
Earn 250 bonus miles
Just make at least 3 purchases while spending $50 or more in September
 
+
 
Earn an additional 750 bonus miles
if you reach the goal in all three months
 
=
 
1,500 total bonus miles

3.  Spend $6,000 on purchases and you'll earn 6,000 bonus miles with your card between July 1 and September 30, 2023—this is in addition to your usual rewards.

I guess they're feeling the pain.

Offline Yoel1

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 245
  • Total likes: 37
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5769 on: July 06, 2023, 04:57:44 PM »



Offline yelped

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2015
  • Posts: 12416
  • Total likes: 4931
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 45
    • View Profile
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5770 on: July 06, 2023, 08:20:34 PM »
Some pretty interesting offers on DDMS. Dan, I would maybe reword it to make it clear that the 6,000 bonus miles is a separate offer and in addition to the 3,700.

Offline First Time CCer

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2023
  • Posts: 70
  • Total likes: 16
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood NJ
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5771 on: July 07, 2023, 11:41:03 AM »
I just applied for this card yesterday and had to call recon due to 5/24. They only let me open when I took off cards I was an authorized user on.

Offline monsey yid

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: May 2018
  • Posts: 284
  • Total likes: 44
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: United States
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5772 on: July 07, 2023, 06:59:07 PM »
Some pretty interesting offers on DDMS. Dan, I would maybe reword it to make it clear that the 6,000 bonus miles is a separate offer and in addition to the 3,700.

I’m never targeted for this kind of offers anything to do?
If you like my post give me a like!

Offline Chuck2

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 446
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United, Hertz, SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Priority Club Plat, Avis Chairman, Hertz PC
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5773 on: July 18, 2023, 10:29:43 AM »
I booked a flight with Chase UR and forgot to pay for part of it with my United Card. Is there any way to get a free check-in bag? Is there anything I can upgrade...?
:-)

Offline MrSmileyJr

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: May 2022
  • Posts: 9
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5774 on: July 19, 2023, 09:48:56 AM »
It seems that it used to be that all companions booked together with you if you used the credit card would get a carry-on. Is this still the case? The wording on the website seems to indicate only the primary card holder gets the free carry on. Can anyone provide clarity?

Offline JACKBLUE

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 2431
  • Total likes: 411
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: USA
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5775 on: September 13, 2023, 03:59:42 PM »
I know this was asked a few times.... but can't find an answer.....

I booked a united basic and forgot to use my United card, is there any way i can still get the free luggage? it's after 24 hrs of booking so can't cancel.

ETA: United was able to cancel and rebook the same fare using my UA card for free.
It's after 24 hrs and the fare isn't available anymore.
This is called service!
« Last Edit: September 13, 2023, 04:26:47 PM by JACKBLUE »

Offline HoKo

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 1037
  • Total likes: 233
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5776 on: September 13, 2023, 06:44:53 PM »
I know this was asked a few times.... but can't find an answer.....

I booked a united basic and forgot to use my United card, is there any way i can still get the free luggage? it's after 24 hrs of booking so can't cancel.

ETA: United was able to cancel and rebook the same fare using my UA card for free.
It's after 24 hrs and the fare isn't available anymore.
This is called service!

Yeah that's impressive (and surprising)

Offline smurf

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4583
  • Total likes: 367
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 8
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5777 on: November 03, 2023, 01:07:05 PM »
I just got approved for teh Explorer card, but it still hasn't arrived yet.
I want to book now and get all the baggage benefits, seems like united takes this into consideration

Also it looks like the way they enable this is to add a "Baggage subscription" to your account for 90 days.
I assume the 90 days is so that they can target people who recently booked travel on another card to apply for a united one and get the benefits.
 

Any DPs on how this subscription works? will it give me a carry on too?
Does it cover everyone on my itinerary?

Side note, seems like i can add my card to paypal now and then use that to pay on united.
Will United recognize a card even if it is via paypal?

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2836
  • Total likes: 336
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5778 on: February 01, 2024, 04:14:32 PM »
Can I get the Quest card bonus if I already have an Explorer open? I would close the Explorer afterwards (shift line).

I didn't get bonus in last 24 months.

Offline ponash123

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2015
  • Posts: 481
  • Total likes: 275
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
« Reply #5779 on: February 02, 2024, 09:55:55 AM »
I'm downgrading my Explorer to a Gateway card since I don't want to pay the fee anymore.
I have a couple of remaining MileagePlus points.
1 - Will I lose them with the downgrade?
2- If so, what are my options to use them now? I'm not traveling anytime soon and there doesn't seem to be any transfer options.

Thanks!