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Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. United℠ Explorer Card: Which Is Better in 2026?
September 27, 2026
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Quick Comparison
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the United℠ Explorer Card are both Chase cards, but they serve different cardholders.
The Freedom Unlimited is a no-annual-fee everyday card. It earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with higher rates on dining, drugstores, and Chase Travel℠, and its rewards are tracked as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
The Explorer is a co-branded airline card. It earns United MileagePlus® miles and includes a free first checked bag, two United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and Group 2 priority boarding, with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
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Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown
The Freedom Unlimited earns 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), 3% at drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases. There's no annual fee, and cash back doesn't expire as long as the account is open.
New cardholders get a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, after that the variable APR will be 18.49% to 27.99%. A balance transfer fee applies, and purchases made with foreign merchants carry a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited review for more detail.
United Explorer Breakdown
The Explorer earns 3x miles on United purchases, which adds up to 9x total miles on eligible United flights once you include the 6x miles MileagePlus members earn on the fare. It also earns 2x on dining (including eligible delivery services), 2x on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel, and 1x on everything else.
Perks include a free first checked bag for you and one companion on the same reservation when you buy the ticket with the card, Group 2 priority boarding, two United Club one-time passes per year, and a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS credit of up to $120 every four years. The variable APR is 19.99% to 28.49%, and there are no foreign transaction fees.
Our United Explorer review covers every benefit.
Understanding the United MileagePlus® Ecosystem
The Explorer's value depends on how much you use United miles, so it helps to know where they work best.
Partner airlines: MileagePlus miles can be used on United and on its Star Alliance partner airlines, which extends their reach well beyond United's own routes.
The Chase connection: United MileagePlus is one of Chase's airline transfer partners. Only certain Chase cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, can transfer points, and Chase lets you move points between your own Chase accounts in most cases. Our guide on transferring Chase points to United explains the steps.
Mile value: Award prices vary with demand, so the value you get from United miles depends on the route and date. Explorer cardholders save 10% or more when booking flights with miles.
Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases. The first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
Head-to-Head: How They Compare
Annual Fee
The Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee. The Explorer has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150, so its perks need to cover that cost from year two.
Earning on United Purchases
The Explorer wins. It earns 3x on United purchases, while the Freedom Unlimited earns its 1.5% base rate.
Earning on Dining
The Freedom Unlimited earns 3% on dining and the Explorer earns 2x miles. Which is worth more depends on how you value United miles compared with Chase cash back.
Earning on Everyday Spending
The Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% on non-bonus purchases, compared with the Explorer's 1x. For utilities, healthcare, home improvement, and retail, the Freedom Unlimited earns more.
Airline Perks
The Explorer wins. Free checked bags, priority boarding, and United Club passes have no equivalent on the Freedom Unlimited.
Travel Protections
Both cards include trip cancellation and interruption insurance of up to $1,500 per covered traveler and $6,000 per trip. The Explorer's auto rental coverage is primary, while the Freedom Unlimited's is secondary to your personal insurance in the U.S.
International Travel
The Explorer has no foreign transaction fees. The Freedom Unlimited charges 3% on purchases made with foreign merchants.
Chase Ecosystem Pairing
The Freedom Unlimited's points become more flexible when paired with a Chase card that can transfer to partners, including United. The Explorer earns United miles directly, which can't be moved to other programs through Chase.
The Flexible vs. Loyal Decision
Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited® if:
- You want strong everyday rewards with no annual fee and no categories to track
- You don't fly United often or rarely check bags
- You want the option to transfer points to United and other partners later by pairing with a Sapphire card
- You want 15 months of 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Choose the United℠ Explorer Card if:
- You fly United several times a year and check bags
- You want priority boarding and occasional lounge visits
- You want to earn MileagePlus miles directly
- You travel abroad and want no foreign transaction fees
- You want primary auto rental coverage
Consider holding both: Use the Explorer for United purchases to earn miles and unlock the flight perks, and the Freedom Unlimited for everyday spending at 1.5% or more. Our guide to credit card pairing strategies explains how to split spending, and the Kudos Chrome extension autofills your best card at checkout.
If you carry both cards, the Benefits Tracker in Kudos Premium shows the United Explorer's credits alongside the perks on your Freedom Unlimited, with progress bars for what you've used and what's left. Its annual fee vs. value comparison helps you check whether the Explorer is paying off after the first year.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
You're a strong fit if you:
- Want at least 1.5% back on all purchases without an annual fee
- Fly multiple airlines and don't want rewards tied to one carrier
- Hold or plan to hold a Chase card that can transfer points to travel partners
- Want a no-annual-fee Chase card to keep long term (see our guide to the Chase 5/24 rule before planning applications)
Who Should Choose the United℠ Explorer Card?
You're a strong fit if you:
- Fly United a few times a year and check bags
- Want priority boarding and two United Club passes per year
- Want to earn MileagePlus miles directly on United purchases and everyday spending
- Travel abroad and want to avoid foreign transaction fees
- Want primary auto rental coverage
- Want a year to try the card before the $150 annual fee starts
Alternatives to Consider
If you want flexible travel points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee and earns 5x points on Chase Travel℠ purchases and 3x on dining, and it can transfer points to United MileagePlus.
If you fly United often enough to use lounges, the United Club℠ Card includes United Club membership and two free checked bags for a $695 annual fee.
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Tips for Application Success
Before you apply:
- Both cards generally go to applicants with good to excellent credit, so check your credit first.
- Chase may consider the number of cards you have opened and closed when deciding welcome bonus eligibility.
- The Explorer deposits miles into a United MileagePlus account, so set one up if you don't have one.
- Compare current welcome offers on both cards, since issuers change them over time.
Application strategy:
- Time an Explorer application before a planned United trip so you can use the bag and boarding perks right away.
- Meet any minimum spend with purchases you already planned to make.
- Use the Explorer's first year, when the annual fee is $0, to decide whether the perks are worth $150 a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hold both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the United Explorer at the same time?
Yes. They're separate Chase products, and you can apply for each, though approval isn't guaranteed. Using the Explorer for United purchases and the Freedom Unlimited for everyday spending is a practical combination.
Can I transfer Chase Freedom Unlimited points to United MileagePlus?
Not directly. Only certain Chase cards, such as the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, and Ink Business Preferred, can transfer points to partners like United. Chase lets you move points between your own Chase accounts in most cases, so pairing the Freedom Unlimited with one of those cards opens up transfers.
Is the United Explorer annual fee worth it?
It can be if you fly United and check bags. The free first checked bag covers you and one companion on the same reservation, and the card adds two United Club passes and priority boarding. If you rarely fly United or travel carry-on only, the $150 fee is harder to justify.
Which card is better for international travel?
The Explorer, because it has no foreign transaction fees and includes primary auto rental coverage. The Freedom Unlimited charges 3% on purchases made with foreign merchants.
Does the United Explorer include lounge access?
It includes two United Club one-time passes per year, not a full membership. For United Club membership, the United Club℠ Card includes that benefit.
What credit score do I need for each card?
Both cards generally require good to excellent credit. A strong payment history and low credit utilization help your approval odds.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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