Is the United Explorer Card worth it?
$95 annual fee. Free first checked bag + Premier Access + 2x on United. Mid-tier United co-brand.
Annual fee
$150
Auto-offsets
$218
$218 credits · $0 auto-perks
Net cost
+$68Pays you to hold
Annual credits & free nights
- redeem
2 United Club Passes
$118
Two one-time United Club lounge passes per year
- redeem
Free Checked Bag
$70
First checked bag free for cardholder + companion
- redeem
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck
$30
$120 credit every 4 years
- redeem
Primary Rental Car Insurance
$0
Primary auto rental collision damage waiver
Earning rates
| Category | Multiplier | Effective return |
|---|---|---|
| united airlines3x on United purchases | 3x | 3.90% |
| airlines | 2x | 2.60% |
| hotels | 2x | 2.60% |
| dining | 2x | 2.60% |
| other | 1x | 1.30% |
The honest answer
Auto-offsets exceed the annual fee, the United Explorer Card pays you to hold it before you swipe once. Almost always a hold.
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