💳 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.

💡 Credit card travel insurance has limits

Credit card trip insurance typically doesn't cover medical emergencies abroad. For international trips, dedicated travel health insurance is recommended.

Browse travel health guides by country →

🌍 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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