United Explorer vs Capital One Savor: Which Is Better In 2025?

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here's a closer look at why we're fans of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees).

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• It offers generous cash back on everyday spending categories like dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores.
• Cardholders get access to exclusive entertainment events and valuable travel perks.
• The rewards are easy to earn and redeem, with a straightforward structure that doesn't require activating special categories.

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Pros

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• There's no cap on the amount of cash back you can earn in bonus categories.
• Cardholders get access to exclusive entertainment events and experiences.
• Rewards are simple to redeem for statement credits or travel, with no minimum redemption amount required.

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Cons

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• Approval generally requires a good to excellent credit score.
• Bonus cash back at grocery stores excludes purchases made at superstores and wholesale clubs.
• It may not be the best fit if your spending isn't concentrated on dining and entertainment.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards vs United Explorer

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, United Explorer or Capital One Savor, the choice ultimately comes down to your primary spending habits and travel preferences.

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is tailored for frequent travelers, particularly those loyal to United Airlines who can maximize airline-specific benefits like checked bags and priority boarding.
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best suited for those who spend heavily on dining, entertainment, and groceries, making it a strong choice for rewarding everyday lifestyle purchases.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Rewards are earned as miles that are best redeemed for flights with United Airlines and its airline partners. Miles can also be used for other travel-related perks, such as seat upgrades and inflight purchases.

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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card earns straightforward cash back on your purchases. You can redeem your rewards for a statement credit to offset your balance or receive them as a check.

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Travel Perks

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• United℠ Explorer Card: The travel ecosystem is built around United Airlines and its partners. Perks include complimentary United Club lounge passes each year, priority boarding, and a free checked bag allowance. Miles are redeemed for flights and upgrades directly with the airline. The card does not have foreign transaction fees.
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: While primarily a cash back card, it offers access to the Capital One Travel portal for booking flights, hotels, and rental cars. It is also a strong option for international travel as it does not charge foreign transaction fees. However, this card does not include airport lounge access as a benefit.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a comparison tool like Kudos can help you sort through nearly 3,000 credit cards with data-driven recommendations.

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• Simulate how much you would earn with a specific card before you apply by using the ‘Test Drive’ feature, which uses your real spending data for personalized calculations.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop with Kudos Boost.
• Discover new cards with personalized matching based on your actual spending history.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is tailor-made for the frequent United Airlines flyer who travels a few times a year and wants to elevate their experience without committing to a premium card's hefty annual fee. This traveler values practical perks that save money and time, such as a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and two annual United Club℠ passes for a more comfortable airport wait. Additionally, they benefit from the statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and the lack of foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for both domestic and international journeys.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for foodies and entertainment lovers who want to earn cash back on their nights out. It also appeals to families with significant spending at grocery stores and travelers who can take advantage of having no foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, this card is best for those who value straightforward, unlimited rewards on dining, entertainment, and streaming without the burden of an annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs. Capital One Savor comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel and cash-back cards to consider.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most issuers require good to excellent credit for rewards card approval.
• Plan your spending – Ensure you can comfortably meet any minimum spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Know your rewards – Research how to best use the card’s rewards program to maximize its value for you.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
• Know the issuer’s rules, as some have restrictions on how many new accounts you can open.
• Understand bonus categories since some merchants, like superstores, may not qualify for elevated rewards.

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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Which card is better for frequent United Airlines flyers?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is tailored for travelers who frequently fly with United Airlines, offering benefits and rewards that enhance the travel experience with the airline. The Capital One Savor Card, on the other hand, provides rewards on everyday spending categories like dining and entertainment.

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What kind of rewards do these cards offer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card earns miles in the United MileagePlus program, which are ideal for booking flights and other travel. The Capital One Savor Card focuses on earning cash back from spending on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.

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How do I choose between these two cards?

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Your choice should depend on your lifestyle and spending habits. If you are a loyal United Airlines flyer who can take advantage of airline-specific perks, the United Explorer Card is a great option, while the Capital One Savor Card is better suited for those who spend more on dining out and entertainment.

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