Getting to Know the UnitedSM Explorer Business Credit Card
The United ClubSM Business Card is an exceptional airline rewards credit card from United Airlines and Chase Bank. The card boasts an extremely impressive 100,000 mile sign-up bonus for companies that meet sending requirements within the first six months of opening an account. Accounts earn 50,000 miles when spending $5,000 in purchases in the first three months, and an additional 50,000 miles after making a total of $25,000 in purchases within the first six months. The card also earns 2x miles for purchases made directly with United (including in-flight entertainment and food or beverage purchases), as well as at restaurants, gas stations, and office supply stores, and single miles for every other dollar spent. The Explorer Business Card also features a bevy of airline and airport perks, such as a first free bag on United flights and priority boarding – all for the annual fee of $95.
How It Works
Cardholders can expect the following from the United ClubSM Business Card from Chase:
How to Earn Rewards:
Fly United: One of the fastest ways to earn miles with the Explorer Business Card is by flying with United Airlines. Companies earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on purchases directly with the airline, and this includes everything from tickets, amenities like in-flight food and drinks, in-flight Wi-Fi, and upgrades other charges from United. Essentially, business owners can earn points on anything they use their card to purchase from United!
Restaurants and Hotels: Cardholders also earn 2 miles per $1 spent at all restaurants, and on hotel accommodations (when purchased directly from the hotel).
Earn Miles On Everyday Purchases: All other purchases made with the Explorer Business Card earn one point for every dollar spent.
Rewards Are Unlimited & Never Expire: Two of the great features of the MileagePlus program are that there is no limit to the total number of miles a business can earn and miles don’t expire as long as the account is open.
Buy Miles: Cardholders can also purchase extra miles whenever they need them.
How to Redeem Rewards:
Flights with United or Star Alliance Partners: The best way to redeem miles is through booking flights with directly through United. Miles are applicable for both United-operated flights as well as with any Star Alliance code share member, giving cardholders access to over 1,000 destinations worldwide.
Hotels: MileagePlus miles are applicable towards hotel stays with thousands of properties worldwide. Simply login to the MileagePlus booking portal and use points to pay the cost of the stay.
Cruises: Miles can also be used to book cruises with leading names in the cruise industry, such as Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, and more.
Car Rentals: Miles are also applicable towards vehicle rentals with select United car rental agencies, such as Dollar, Hertz, Thrifty, and more.
Retail: Miles can be used to shop for thousands of products, including electronics, housewares, jewelry, gift cards, and much more. In fact, miles can be used to purchase Apple® products like iPads, iPhones, the Apple Watch, and MacBook.
Dining: Miles can be used for gift cards that are redeemable at over 80 restaurant locations nationwide; alternately, miles can be used to purchase certificates for discounts at thousands of restaurants across the country via Restaurant.com.
Buy, Gift or Transfer: MileagePlus members have the option to purchase extra miles, and/or gift miles to other MileagePlus members. Miles transfers typically cost around $7.50 per 500 miles, along with a processing fee of $30.00 per transaction.
Today’s Bonus Offer
The UnitedSM Explorer Business Card brings a massive introductory bonus offer to the table. New accounts can earn up to 100,000 miles when they make at least $25,000 in purchases within the first six months. This bonus breaks down as 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months, as well as another 50,000 miles after a total of $25,000 in purchases in the first six months of opening the account. 100,000 may be the headline that attracts applicants, but the $25,000 spend in just six months is likely to make this offer only available to the upper echelon of companies. More realistically, small to medium-sized firms are likely to meet the first 50,000 mile threshold and miss the second. Still, no matter which bonus a company ends up with, it is still a very handsome reward, indeed.
The Plane Facts
Can you expect a smooth flight from the UnitedSM Explorer Card from Chase, or will there be turbulence?
Annual Fee: The UnitedSM Explorer Business Card features an annual fee of $95, which is very reasonable given the sign-up bonus, as well as the miles-earning potential of the card. The addition of airline and airport-centric perks, such as priority boarding and a first free checked bag, put this card over the top and make the annual fee something that is very easy to live with.
Airline and Airport Perks:
First Checked Bag Free: When cardholders use their Exploer Business Card to book their United flight, they get their first checked bag free – a potential savings of up to $120 on round trips.
United ClubSM Passes: Account holders get two complimentary passes to United Club lounges after renewing their card each card member anniversary. This perk is a $100 value, which pays for the annual fee itself.
United Discount: Enjoy 25% back on in-flight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases on all flights operated by United Airlines and its subsidiaries. T
Priority Boarding: Cardholders will be permitted to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding. Companions traveling on the same reservation are also eligible for priority boarding.
No Blackout dates:
Airport Dining: Miles can also be used to pay for food at select restaurants and bars in the New York/Newark Airport, as well as at the Houston Continental Airport
Global Entry and TSA Pre✓® Statement Credit: Using the UnitedSM Explorer Business Card to pay the cost of an application for either Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®, Chase will reimburse the full fee as a statement credit.
Complimentary Premier Upgrades: Card members who have MileagePlus® Premier® status, and are traveling on an award ticket, are eligible for complimentary premier upgrades on select United operated flights, subject to availability.
Cardholder Protections:
Zero Fraud Liability Protection: Visa’s Zero Fraud Liability provides comprehensive protection against any unauthorized or fraudulent activities or transactions on the account.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: When using the Explorer Business Card to pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and declining additional insurance at the rental counter, members are covered if the car is damaged or stolen.
Roadside Dispatch®: Visa’s Roadside Dispatch®, which is a pay-per-use roadside program, offers card members access to 24/y roadside assistance to help with flat tires, cracked windshields, or other incidents.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: Whether you’re traveling for work or for pleasure, Visa is there for you, anywhere in the world, with a multilingual call center. Call toll-free in the United States, or collect whilst abroad, for assistance. Visa can provide pre-trip assistance (information about health precautions, currency exchange rates, visas, immunizations and other pertinent info for first-time travelers), as well as emergency transportation assistance, prescription assistance, Valuable Document Delivery arrangements (for critical documents like a passport or travel visa that might have been misplaced or left at home), a location service for lost luggage, and emergency translation services in all major languages.
Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance: Visa reimburses up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable, passenger fares when they travel is canceled or cut short due to covered situations like sickness or injury.
Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimbursement for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing is available when baggage is delayed for longer than 6 hours by a passenger carrier; coverage extends up to $100 per day for three days.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement: If checked or carry-on luggage is either damaged or lost by the carrier, card members are covered for the loss – loss up to $3,000 per passenger.
Trip Delay Reimbursement: If common carrier travel is delayed by more than 12 hours (or requires an overnight stay), travelers are covered unreimbursed expenses like meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.
Purchase Protection: Purchases made with the card are covered up to 120 days after purchase, insuring against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim, and $50,000 per year.
Extended Warranty Protection: The warranty for items purchased with this card can be extended for up to one additional year, for eligible warranties of three years or less.
Additional Benefits:
Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: UnitedSM Explorer Card card members will enjoy access to over 900 properties that include many of the world’s most exquisite hotels, resorts, lodges, and spas. Each stay booked via this collection will automatically bestow the cardholder with some amazing perks that include a daily breakfast for two, complimentary Wi-Fi, a room upgrade if available, early check-in and late checkout, and a special benefit that is unique to each property (such as a dining or spa credit).
Inside Access: As a Chase card member, you’ll have opportunities to purchase private, curated, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Enjoy wine tastings and culinary events at some of the world’s finest restaurants, meet a sporting legend, and redeem award miles to enjoy VIP access to live theater and museum events.
Extended Warranties: Visa cardholders who use their Visa Signature® card for their purchases are eligible to add up to two extra years added to the original manufacturer’s warranty, when you use your card for eligible purchases. Some restrictions apply.
Complimentary Employee Cards: Employers can add employee cards to their account at no additional cost, and points earned by employee spending will be credited to the account holder.
Visa Concierge Service: Get complimentary Visa Signature® Concierge Service, 24 hours a day.
No foreign transaction fees
The UnitedSM Explorer Business Card: Cleared for Takeoff
What are some of the pros that set this card ahead of the rest?
A Sizable Intro Offer: Earning up to 100,000 miles is an enticing offer – and one that big-spending companies would love to get!
United Club Anniversary Passes: Two complimentary passes to use the exclusive United Club lounge while traveling is a great annual bonus for the UnitedSM Business Explorer card.
Free Checked Bags: The first checked bag is free for cardholders, as well as everyone else on the itinerary.
No foreign transaction fees
No blackout dates on reward travel
Potential Turbulence with the UnitedSM Explorer Business Card:
What are some cons that take the wind from under this card’s wings?
Intro Offer: The UnitedSM Explorer Business Card’s introductory miles offer is enticing, but don’t let it fool you. The offer of 100,00 miles is only for those companies that can commit to spending $25,000 in purchasing in just six months – a very tall order! For everyone else, the prospect of spending $5,00 in purchases within the first 90 days may seem daunting, but it is an attainable goal that many companies can afford.
Thoughts Before Takeoff
This is your Captain speaking. The UnitedSM Explorer Business Card is a solid airline rewards credit card from Chase that is likely to attract a considerable amount of eye balls thanks to its huge introductory offer. Unfortunately, however, the 100,000 miles on offer is likely out of reach for most companies. While 50,000 miles is the more likely scenario, this is still an impressive reward fro $5,000 in spending within the first three months. The value of the card is further enhanced by two lounge passes on each card memerb anniversary, as well as a first checked bag on United flights, priority boarding, and a statement credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry applications.