Chase Launches United Explorer Card with Enhanced Rewards

Chase and United Airlines have teamed up to launch a new version of the United Explorer Card. The new card features two miles per $1 spent on hotel stays and at restaurants, in addition to the existing two miles per $1 spent on United purchases. All other purchases earn one mile per $1.

Now through July 16, 2018, they are also offering 40,000 bonus miles to new users. The bonus applies once a user has spent $2,000 on the card in the first three months. The miles do not expire as long as the account is open.

The card has an annual fee of $95 that is waived during the first year of membership. That is fairly standard for airline credit cards and far less than the $450 annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

There are credit cards with no annual fee, but they tend to have less competitive rewards programs. For instance, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee, but only offers 20,000 bonus miles and 1.25 miles per $1 spent on the card. The Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express features two miles per $1 on restaurant and Delta purchases. Nevertheless, these cards are valuable for those who do not travel enough to merit paying a high annual fee.