United Explorer Card Bonus Jumps to 75,000 Miles (Plus Up to 90,000)

If you've been eyeing the United Explorer card, now might be the time to act. Chase has bumped the signup bonus to 75,000 miles, and with a couple of easy add-ons, you could walk away with up to 90,000 miles. The annual fee is waived for the first year, which sweetens the deal. But before you jump, there are a few things to know — especially if you've opened other cards recently.

What You Get With This Offer

The headline number is 75,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. That's a solid haul on its own, but you can stack a couple more bonuses on top.

Add an authorized user to the account and you'll earn an extra 10,000 miles. And if you book through a United agent and use their promotional code, you can snag another 5,000 miles. That brings the total potential to 90,000 miles — enough for a round-trip business class ticket to Europe on United or a couple of domestic round-trips.

The $150 annual fee is waived for the first year, so you're not paying anything upfront to get the card. Just remember that the fee will hit in year two unless you decide to downgrade or cancel.

• 75,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months
• 10,000 miles for adding an authorized user
• 5,000 miles with a United agent promo code
• Total potential: 90,000 miles
• $150 annual fee waived first year

Beyond the Bonus: Perks and Earning Rates

The United Explorer card isn't just about the signup bonus. It comes with a bunch of ongoing benefits that can easily offset the annual fee if you fly United even a couple of times a year.

You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, restaurant spending, and hotel stays. Everything else earns 1 mile per dollar. That's not the highest earning rate out there, but it's respectable for a mid-tier airline card.

One of the best perks is the free checked bag — for you and one companion on the same reservation when you pay with the card. That alone can save you $70 per round-trip per person. You also get priority boarding, so you can settle in before the overhead bins fill up.

There's a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which covers the application fee. And the card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a decent travel companion overseas.

The card also throws in some statement credits that can add up: up to $100 per anniversary year for prepaid hotel stays booked through United Hotels, up to $60 per calendar year on rideshare purchases, up to $50 per anniversary year in United TravelBank cash for Avis or Budget rentals booked through cars.united.com, and up to $120 per calendar year on Instacart. Plus, if you spend $10,000 in a calendar year, you'll get $100 in United TravelBank cash.

• 2x miles on United, restaurants, and hotels; 1x on everything else
• Free checked bag for you and a companion
• Priority boarding
• 2 United Club passes per year
• $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to $100 in hotel statement credits annually
• Up to $60 in rideshare credits annually
• Up to $50 in TravelBank cash for car rentals annually
• Up to $120 in Instacart credits annually
• $100 TravelBank cash after $10,000 annual spend

Who Should Consider This Card

This offer is best for people who fly United at least a few times a year and can take advantage of the free checked bag and other perks. If you're under 5/24 and haven't had this card or its bonus in the past 24 months, it's worth a look.

But if you're over 5/24, you'll likely be rejected. Chase is strict about that rule, so don't waste a hard pull if you know you're over the limit. Also, if you currently have the card or received a bonus for it within the last two years, you won't be eligible for this offer.

Compared to last year's 90,000-mile offer (which was 80,000 plus 5,000 plus 5,000), this one is a bit smaller. Still, 75,000 to 90,000 miles is nothing to sneeze at, especially with the annual fee waived.

• Good for United flyers who can use the perks
• Must be under 5/24 to have a chance at approval
• Not eligible if you have the card or had its bonus in the past 24 months
• Slightly lower than last year's 90k offer, but still competitive

Things to Watch Out For

The 5/24 rule is the biggest hurdle. Chase will deny most applications from people who have opened five or more new credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months. If you're at 4/24 or below, you might have a shot, but it's not guaranteed.

The annual fee is waived the first year, but after that, you'll pay $150. Make sure you can justify that with the perks you'll actually use. If you don't fly United often, the value might not be there.

Some of the statement credits require enrollment or specific booking methods. For example, the rideshare credit requires you to enroll, and the hotel and car rental credits only apply when you book through United's portals. Read the fine print so you don't miss out.

Also, the 5,000-mile United agent promo code bonus is a bit of a wildcard. You'll need to book through a United agent and use their code, which might not be convenient for everyone. But if you're already booking a flight, it's an easy way to snag extra miles.

• 5/24 rule applies — check your card count before applying
• Annual fee returns in year two
• Some credits require enrollment or specific bookings
• Agent promo code bonus requires booking through a United agent

Bottom Line

• Earn 75,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months, plus 10,000 for an authorized user and 5,000 with a United agent code.
• Annual fee waived first year, then $150.
• Chase 5/24 rule applies — most people with 5+ new cards in 24 months won't be approved.
• Perks include free checked bag, priority boarding, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and various statement credits.
• Not eligible if you have the card or received its bonus in the past 24 months.

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