United Explorer vs Amex Gold: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express® Gold Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of what makes the American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) a top contender for foodies and frequent flyers alike.

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• It offers generous rewards on spending at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets.
• The card includes annual credits for popular dining and rideshare services.
• New cardmembers can earn a valuable Welcome Offer, and points can be transferred to a variety of travel partners.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• High rewards-earning potential on purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, as well as on flights.
• Annual statement credits for dining and Uber can provide significant value.
• Flexible rewards program with a wide range of airline and hotel transfer partners.

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Cons

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• Carries a significant annual fee, and statement credits are broken into monthly increments that can be difficult to maximize.
• Some benefits require enrollment to use, and the card isn't as widely accepted as some other networks.
• High-earning rewards categories have annual spending caps.

American Express® Gold Card vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Explorer or Amex Gold, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel preferences. Each card is designed to maximize rewards in different key categories, catering to specific types of consumers.

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is tailored for frequent United Airlines flyers and travelers who value airline-specific perks and travel conveniences.
• American Express® Gold Card: This card is a strong choice for those who spend heavily on dining and at U.S. supermarkets, offering premium rewards for everyday purchases.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Rewards are primarily redeemed within the United Airlines ecosystem, making it ideal for booking award flights, purchasing seat upgrades, and covering other United-related travel expenses.

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American Express® Gold Card: This card offers more flexible redemption options through the Membership Rewards program, allowing you to transfer points to a wide array of airline and hotel partners or redeem them for travel, gift cards, and statement credits.

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Travel Perks

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• United℠ Explorer Card: Tailored for the United loyalist, this card’s travel perks include a free first checked bag for the cardmember and a companion on the same reservation, priority boarding, and two one-time United Club℠ passes annually. It also provides an application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS and has no foreign transaction fees.
• American Express® Gold Card: This card offers access to The Hotel Collection, which provides a $100 experience credit to use on qualifying hotel stays of two or more consecutive nights. It also includes benefits like baggage insurance and car rental loss and damage insurance. The card has no foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the best choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data, giving you a clear picture of its value.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with the best cards for your spending habits, not generic suggestions.
• Approval odds analysis: Understand your chances of getting approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: Kudos will match a better public welcome offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards at certain stores on top of what your credit card already offers.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is tailored for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to elevate their travel experience with airline-specific perks. This card is ideal for travelers who can take full advantage of benefits like a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and two annual United Club℠ passes. Additionally, it suits those who travel internationally, thanks to no foreign transaction fees, and value the peace of mind from comprehensive travel protections and credits for expedited security screening programs.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?

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The American Express® Gold Card is tailor-made for foodies and frequent travelers who want to maximize rewards on their everyday spending. This card is most valuable for those who spend heavily at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets, where you can earn 4X points on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X. Ideal cardholders are also organized enough to take full advantage of the up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in annual Uber Cash, which are distributed in monthly increments; Terms Apply.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, you've weighed the United℠ Explorer Card vs. the American Express® Gold Card and decided neither one is quite right for you. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and other options might better align with your unique travel style and budget.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most premium rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending – Make sure you can comfortably meet the welcome offer spending requirement without overspending.
• Review the benefits – Ensure the card’s perks and rewards categories align with your regular spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules – Some issuers have restrictions on how many cards you can open or how often you can earn a welcome offer.
• Time your application strategically – Applying before a large planned purchase can help you meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Look for the best available offer – Welcome offers can vary, so try different channels or wait for an elevated offer if possible.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What kind of traveler is the United℠ Explorer Card best for?

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This card is ideal for travelers who frequently fly with United Airlines and want to enjoy benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding.

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Is the American Express® Gold Card good for beginners?

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The American Express® Gold Card can be great for beginners who spend heavily on dining and at U.S. supermarkets, but its annual fee means you should be sure you can maximize its benefits before applying.

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Can I transfer points from these cards to other loyalty programs?

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Points from the American Express® Gold Card can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners. United miles earned with the Explorer card are specific to the United MileagePlus program and its partners.

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