💳 Chase · Visa

United℠ Explorer Card

Travel Benefits Guide 2026

$95
Annual Fee
Lounge Access
Primary
Rental Coverage
None
Foreign Tx Fee

📌 At a Glance: Top Travel Perks

Travel Benefits Breakdown

Here's exactly what you get — and what you don't — when you use the United℠ Explorer Card for travel.

✈️ Lounge Access

Network: United Club

2 complimentary United Club one-time passes per year (not full membership). Good for 1 visit each, not unlimited access.

🛂 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit

Get a $100 statement credit every every 4 years when you pay for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, NEXUS with this card.

Global Entry ($100) includes TSA PreCheck and lets you skip customs lines when returning to the US — worth every cent for international travelers.

⏱️ Trip Delay Insurance

If your trip is delayed by 12+ hours, you're covered for up to $500/person in expenses.

Covers: meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, other reasonable expenses

Delay must be 12+ hours or require overnight stay. Up to $500 per ticket purchased on card.

Must book travel with this card. Keep all receipts for reimbursement.

🚫 Trip Cancellation & Interruption

Reimburses up to $10,000/person (max $20,000/trip) if you must cancel or cut short your trip.

Covered reasons: illness, severe weather, jury duty, other covered reasons

Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

🧳 Baggage Insurance

Lost/stolen/damaged baggage: Up to $3,000/person

Checked bags: up to $3,000 | Carry-on: up to $3,000

Up to $3,000 per passenger per trip for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage. High-value items (jewelry, electronics) may be subject to $500 sub-limit.

Delayed baggage: Up to $0/person after 6+ hours. Covers clothing, toiletries, medication, personal items.

🏥 Emergency Medical & Evacuation

✅ Emergency evacuation coordination covered (transportation costs covered).

Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: 24/7 legal, medical, and emergency referrals. Emergency evacuation coordinated but cardholder typically responsible for costs unless purchased separately.

🚗 Rental Car Insurance

Primary coverage — this means you do NOT need to file with your personal auto insurance first. You can decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the counter and save $10–30/day.

Covers: collision damage, theft

Excludes: liability, personal injury

Eligible countries: Worldwide except certain countries excluded by Chase.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) — PRIMARY coverage when you decline the rental company's CDW. Covers up to actual cash value of vehicle.

🌍 Foreign Transaction Fees

No foreign transaction fees — use this card internationally without paying an extra 2–3% on every purchase.

Rewards Structure

1x MileagePlus miles per $1
Base rate on all purchases
2x miles at restaurants including eligible delivery services
Dining
2x miles on all other travel purchases

Point / Mile Values

  • Cash back / statement credit: ~1¢ per point
  • Travel portal redemption: ~1¢ per point
  • Transfer partners: United MileagePlus — no direct transfers from other programs

Pros & Cons for Travelers

👍 Pros

  • ✅ No foreign transaction fees — safe to use internationally
  • ✅ Airport lounge access (United Club)
  • ✅ Primary rental car insurance — skip the CDW at the counter
  • ✅ Trip cancellation coverage (up to $10,000/person)
  • ✅ Trip delay coverage after 12+ hours
  • ✅ $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit

👎 Cons

    🎯 Who Is This Card Best For?

    United loyalists who want free checked bags and priority boarding at a budget-friendly annual fee

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