Aug 8, 2014, 4:50 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
8/8/14 Here's the "fine print" regarding those who have received a bonus from this product in the past:
I understand that any new cardmember bonus offers for this product are not available to either current or previous cardmembers of this product who received a new cardmember bonus for this product in the last 24 months.
I understand that the terms of my account, including the APRs, are subject to change. Any such changes will be made in accordance with the Cardmember Agreement.
If you received the bonus >24 months ago you are eligible to apply. Doesn't matter when you closed the card.
Major Benefits (post-June 2018)
Cuts as of June 2018Purchase Price Protection - removed
Return Protection - removed
Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance - reduced
10,000 bonus miles for $25K spend will no longer be available after May 31, 2018.Those who spend $10,000-$24,999 by May 31 will receive 4,000 bonus miles this year only.
New benefits2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and hotels
25% statement credit "rebate" on purchases of food, beverages, and wifi on United-operated flights
Global Entry / Pre-application statement credit rebate up to $100 once every four years.
I understand that any new cardmember bonus offers for this product are not available to either current or previous cardmembers of this product who received a new cardmember bonus for this product in the last 24 months.
I understand that the terms of my account, including the APRs, are subject to change. Any such changes will be made in accordance with the Cardmember Agreement.
If you received the bonus >24 months ago you are eligible to apply. Doesn't matter when you closed the card.
Major Benefits (post-June 2018)
- Free first checked a bag - The primary Cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free on United-operated flights when the primary Cardmember includes their MileagePlus number in their reservation and purchases their tickets from United with their United MileagePlus Explorer Card. For complete details, please visit united.com/chasebag .
- Priority boarding - Primary Cardmembers and their companions on the same reservation will be invited to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding. (BG2)
- No fees on foreign transactions
- 2 United ClubSM passes each year for your travel
- Access to XN expanded Economy Saver award inventory (not a published benefit)
- Chip-enabled Card provides added security
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and hotels (NEW)
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent - You'll earn 1 mile for each $1 spent on all other purchases.
Miles don't expire as long as your credit card account remains open - Your miles don't expire as long as you are a Cardmember, with no limit to the number of miles you can earn.UA miles not longer expire- Any seat, any time, on United-operated flights - Primary Cardmembers can use their miles to book any available seat, any time, on United-operated flights when they redeem
- CPU award ticket eligibility for primary cardholder (only) if MP elite
- Carryon bag allowed with Boarding Group 2 even if Basic Economy ticket
- 25% statement credit "rebate" on purchases of food, beverages, and wifi on United-operated flights (NEW)
- Global Entry / Pre-application statement credit rebate up to $100 once every four years. (NEW)
Cuts as of June 2018Purchase Price Protection - removed
Return Protection - removed
Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance - reduced
10,000 bonus miles for $25K spend will no longer be available after May 31, 2018.Those who spend $10,000-$24,999 by May 31 will receive 4,000 bonus miles this year only.
New benefits2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and hotels
25% statement credit "rebate" on purchases of food, beverages, and wifi on United-operated flights
Global Entry / Pre-application statement credit rebate up to $100 once every four years.
Chase MP Explorer Card (Q&A, Benefits, Bonuses, Discussion, ....)
Nov 12, 2011, 10:44 am
#271
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,166
I too got the 5,000 upgrade letter in the mail. I have two United branded cards, and this one was offering to upgrade my gray signature card. It had a nice diagram on the back of the pamphlet describing the benefits of each card. The only thing that the MP Explorer card would get me that I don't already get would be upgrades on reward tickets. Then again, I rarely use my miles for UA award redemptions. Not sure if it's a good deal for me or not.
Nov 12, 2011, 11:05 am
#272
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
The only real benefit of the Explorer cards for elites (not that I have one) is the 60K signing bonus
Nov 12, 2011, 3:38 pm
#273
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,155
Not if COdbaUA has a say, in my opinion. The SElect and Platinum were high water marks, much like PMUA prior to the merger.
Nov 12, 2011, 7:54 pm
#274
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SEA or BGR, Lower Earth Orbit
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 17,217
I too got the 5,000 upgrade letter in the mail. I have two United branded cards, and this one was offering to upgrade my gray signature card. It had a nice diagram on the back of the pamphlet describing the benefits of each card. The only thing that the MP Explorer card would get me that I don't already get would be upgrades on reward tickets. Then again, I rarely use my miles for UA award redemptions. Not sure if it's a good deal for me or not.
Nov 13, 2011, 1:37 am
#276
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Nov 15, 2011, 5:34 am
#277
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Marriott PLT, SPG GLD, DL PM, National EE
Posts: 347
Nov 15, 2011, 7:49 am
#279
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MileagePlus Premier Gold
Posts: 11,522
Nov 15, 2011, 9:49 am
#280
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Marriott PLT, SPG GLD, DL PM, National EE
Posts: 347
Nov 15, 2011, 12:13 pm
#281
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Every time I'm on the UA site, logged into my MP account, the offer is 60K. Otherwise, it's 40K. (You need to be 2P/1P/1K for the 60 K)
Every year on the anniversary
see above
Every year on the anniversary
see above
Nov 15, 2011, 12:19 pm
#282
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MileagePlus Premier Gold
Posts: 11,522
This was communicated when you signed up for the card, especially since you haven't paid any annual fee yet (first year is waived).
Nov 15, 2011, 8:22 pm
#284
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Sacramento area, CA USA
Programs: UA Gold Million Miler, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,858
This is a really hard decsion for me now. I have the old Signature card that costs $140. When I was a 1K, I had no fee. I got 5000 eqm's just for showing up and 5000 more if I spent $35K. No spendables. BUT, I get a lot of bonus miles with each monthly bill, not usually double but more than 25% not counting for when I buy UA tix. So, this year, I finally paid the $140 to save myself a UA trip toward status.
HOWEVER, it is doubtful we will go for 1K anymore as we were always 1K lites. My husband is a Million Miler so in 2012, I get to be one too as a designated spouse. Hence, neither of us needs mileage runs anymore. Plus UA is requiring a minimum number of flights for status so my 10K in eqm's is not so enticing. I don't need most of the perks of the new card as I get them with Premier Gold. Two passes into RC Lounge does nothing for me. Esp after paying the fee. Besides accumulating miles, I am not sure what $95does for me.
Does this new card allow you to pay for your paid travel with miles from the card as the old one does? Ticket at $125, take 12,500 miles from just credit card miles. Does the old one still do that? I can't find it. Everyday something new from UA/Cont. Driving me crazy.
I am wondering if a card with another airline would be better. Anyone know of good ones elsewhere?
HOWEVER, it is doubtful we will go for 1K anymore as we were always 1K lites. My husband is a Million Miler so in 2012, I get to be one too as a designated spouse. Hence, neither of us needs mileage runs anymore. Plus UA is requiring a minimum number of flights for status so my 10K in eqm's is not so enticing. I don't need most of the perks of the new card as I get them with Premier Gold. Two passes into RC Lounge does nothing for me. Esp after paying the fee. Besides accumulating miles, I am not sure what $95does for me.
Does this new card allow you to pay for your paid travel with miles from the card as the old one does? Ticket at $125, take 12,500 miles from just credit card miles. Does the old one still do that? I can't find it. Everyday something new from UA/Cont. Driving me crazy.
I am wondering if a card with another airline would be better. Anyone know of good ones elsewhere?
Nov 16, 2011, 2:10 am
#285
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, California
Programs: UA-1P
Posts: 60
Needs to be a range of Explorer cards
I'm expecting more of a range of Explorer cards to appear eventually.
The current sole Explorer offering is too low-end to compete with the United Mileage Plus Visa Select, which pays out double miles on most of my purchases (groceries, gas, dining) and gives an EQM for every dollar spent on United.com (up to 5,000) as well as triple miles there.
The new card only pays out double miles and no EQMs for United.com.
Overall I'd see a big drop in CC miles if I switched, and only acquire benefits like early boarding that I already have as a 1P.
Therefore I assume they're working on adding some higher specced cards to the range with more appeal to 1P and 1K folks. Top of my wish list would be no foreign transaction fees (I think the Club card is the only MP card with that feature currently).
The current sole Explorer offering is too low-end to compete with the United Mileage Plus Visa Select, which pays out double miles on most of my purchases (groceries, gas, dining) and gives an EQM for every dollar spent on United.com (up to 5,000) as well as triple miles there.
The new card only pays out double miles and no EQMs for United.com.
Overall I'd see a big drop in CC miles if I switched, and only acquire benefits like early boarding that I already have as a 1P.
Therefore I assume they're working on adding some higher specced cards to the range with more appeal to 1P and 1K folks. Top of my wish list would be no foreign transaction fees (I think the Club card is the only MP card with that feature currently).