United MileagePlus® Explorer Card -- why to keep?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 728
United MileagePlus® Explorer Card -- why to keep?
My $95 annual fee is about due.
I'm trying to come up with some reasons to keep this credit card.
Here's what I have:
Why do you keep your card?
I do like Mileage Plus miles but I don't necessarily like the $95 fee.
Thanks.
I'm trying to come up with some reasons to keep this credit card.
Here's what I have:
- two miles for each $1 spent on United airlines tickets
Why do you keep your card?
I do like Mileage Plus miles but I don't necessarily like the $95 fee.
Thanks.
#2
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,455
If you are the worrying type, free primary rental car insurance is a reason.
If you have no status, free baggage is a reason.
Otherwise, there is no reason, really.
Also: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...all-cards.html
If you have no status, free baggage is a reason.
Otherwise, there is no reason, really.
Also: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...all-cards.html
Last edited by MDtR-Chicago; Oct 30, 2012 at 4:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
IMHO, only reason to keep it, pay the fee is for the 2 club passes, free baggage check; otherwise, get Chase Sapphire Preferred; same bennies, more reward redemption options (UR can be converted to MP, Avios, lots of others).
#4
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,455
The most anyone should pay for 2 club passes is about $30 total. See:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ub-merged.html
Up to 10 visits free after rebate, $20 to join. So figure if you use all 10, it's about $5/visit. Less if you bundle the rebate forms.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ub-merged.html
Up to 10 visits free after rebate, $20 to join. So figure if you use all 10, it's about $5/visit. Less if you bundle the rebate forms.
#5
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 138
Primary rental car insurance is the best reason for keeping this card.
And, of course, if you're a United elite, then obviously it helps with earning more UA miles.
In my experience, Chase is pretty generous at waiving annual fees as long as you've put a decent amount of expenditure on the card.
And, of course, if you're a United elite, then obviously it helps with earning more UA miles.
In my experience, Chase is pretty generous at waiving annual fees as long as you've put a decent amount of expenditure on the card.
#6
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,455
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 728
Isn't primary car insurance common on other cards as well? I think I have it on some other card....I'll check.
Btw, does primary car insurance carry effective internationally or just for rentals within my home country (USA)?
Thanks.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA GOLD MM,WN CP A+list, HH Gold,MR LT Titanium
Posts: 2,184
For 95.00 we get award upgrades,the club passes and the primary car rental coverage. Our are also MC,which we use for a few bills that only accept MC.
Ironically,we do not use it for UA tickets,except awards, as I also carry the Select card,which nets me an additional 1 mile per $ over the Explorer.
#9
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,455
Personally, I think primary coverage is overrated. Since your own insurance covers everything but the deductible, that's really your only monetary risk. A common justification is that it protects you from having to file a claim on your insurance at all. But, for your usual driving, would you pay an additional fee over and above your existing insurance premium so you wouldn't have to use the insurance you're already paying for?
Maybe if you rent frequently or you're a poor driver... but I'm not a fan of paying twice for something.
I'm on the fence about paying the annual fee this year. Primary cover is nice to have, as is the (very) infrequent award ticket upgrade. But is it $95 valuable? Not sure yet.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: MileagePlus
Posts: 190
I recently got into the FF frenzy and I fly United the most since that is what the Navy usually flies me on. I have never had an issue and with the 55K option with the 1K in 3 months I will meet that during the holiday season. I will be using this plus a CSP for 40K for a total of 100K UA miles. I am using this mainly for when I travel but the perks are what is nice. I will use the CSP more and the fact that I can take them through the UR mall.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HNL / ARN
Programs: UA 1P, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8
I have the United Platinum Class grandfathered in that gives 5000 PQM and an additional 5000 PQM at $35,000. It also includes a companion ticket (I never could figure out how to redeem these). The annual fee is $140 a year. I had the card since the beginning so roughly 4-5 years now? I never asked for a retention credit and am a bit tired of paying the $140 each year.
Do you think they will credit me back the $140 annual fee (I just paid it last week) if I request a downgrade to the new Mileage Plus Explorer Card.
The free bag credit that comes with the Explorer Card, if you are statused, does that mean +1 bag on top of your status benefits?
I'm going to lose my Gold status next year and I can get Silver annually without the PQM anyway.
Here is the card agreements for the 5000 EQM card. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...nc18erpwjg0GLw
Do you think they will credit me back the $140 annual fee (I just paid it last week) if I request a downgrade to the new Mileage Plus Explorer Card.
The free bag credit that comes with the Explorer Card, if you are statused, does that mean +1 bag on top of your status benefits?
I'm going to lose my Gold status next year and I can get Silver annually without the PQM anyway.
Here is the card agreements for the 5000 EQM card. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...nc18erpwjg0GLw
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 728
where can I learn what CRF is talking about? I think that it has something to do with getting a bonus for reloading a Vanilla card.
Last edited by iowa guy; Nov 7, 2012 at 11:51 am Reason: 1st edit: can't do math. 2nd & 3rd edit: I really don't know how to do the Vanilla thing.
#14
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,455
Then, separately, apply for the Explorer card. There is an offer available for 50k+5k signup bonuses but only on a new application, not a conversion. In the process of getting approved, if you have reached the maximum amount of credit available from Chase, offer to close the old card to get approval on this one.
Best case, you get to keep both cards, earn the signup and retention bonuses, and preserve your option to earn PQMs later.
The free bag credit that comes with the Explorer Card, if you are statused, does that mean +1 bag on top of your status benefits?
There is a gigantic thread in MilesBuzz! about the Bluebird card.
#15
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: UA-1Kmm, AA-EX Plt mm-, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 1,093
That is not always true for overseas claims. Most personal car insurance policies issued to US consumers do not provide any coverage outside of US/Canada & near the Mexico border.