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UnitedSM Explorer Business Card Review

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By Benilyn Formoso - Suralta on September 22, 2020

Benilyn has over a decade of experience as a banking officer. Her expertise is featured throughout Fit Small Business in personal finance, credit card, and real estate investing content.

This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.

United℠ Explorer Business Card

Learn More

on United℠ Explorer Business Card's secure website.

Rating 4 4
?Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.

Best For: Earning miles redeemable toward United Airlines travel

Intro APR Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
N/A 16.49% - 23.49% Variable $95 Good - Excellent
  • Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 at restaurants, gas stations and office supply stores
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 on United purchases and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases
  • Free checked bag - save up to $120 per roundtrip (terms apply)
  • Two one-time United Club℠ passes each year - more than a $100 value
  • Priority boarding for you and companions on the same reservation on United-operated flights
  • Employee cards at no additional cost

Note: This card is no longer being offered

Pros
  • Introductory bonus miles offer
  • 2 free passes each year
  • Priority boarding for you and a companion
Cons
  • Below average ongoing travel rewards
  • No introductory APR offer
  • Comes with an annual fee

The UnitedSM Explorer Business Card is an excellent travel card designed for business owners who fly frequently with United airlines. This small business credit card offers travel rewards that can be redeemed for free flights as well as travel perks like free checked bags, United Club passes, and priority boarding.

Who the UnitedSM Explorer Business Card Is Best For

  • Owners who fly frequently with United Airlines: The UnitedSM Explorer Business Card offers rewards that can be used for free flights with United Airlines and its partners. This card is also ideal for owners who check bags regularly on United flights because it allows one free checked bag each for the cardholder and a traveling companion.

How We Evaluate Travel Rewards Business Credit Cards

When grading business travel credit cards like the UnitedSM Explorer Business Card, we weigh ongoing rewards, introductory rewards, and additional features heaviest. We also take into account the annual fee, introductory no-interest period, and ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs).

Grading Criteria
Card Score
Highest Possible Score
Ongoing Rewards
20
25
Introductory Rewards
20
25
Additional Features
25
25
Annual Fee
15
15
Introductory APR
0
5
Ongoing APR
2
5
Total Score
82
100

UnitedSM Explorer Business Card Fees

  • Introductory APR: None
  • Ongoing APR: 16.49% to 23.49% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
  • Annual fee: $95, waived for the first year
  • Balance transfer fee: Either $5, or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
  • Foreign transaction fee: None
  • Cash advance fee: Either $10, or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater

UnitedSM Explorer Business Card Rewards

  • 2 miles on purchases made directly with United Airlines, including tickets, Economy Plus®, in-flight food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and other United charges
  • 2 miles for every dollar spent at restaurants, hotel stays, and eligible delivery services
  • 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other purchases

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening

You can redeem your miles by booking travel on United flights or United partner airlines. One-way Saver Award travel starts as low as 12,500 miles for flights within the United States and Canada. You will be responsible for paying all taxes and fees levied by the government on plane tickets. While there are no blackout dates, there are no guarantee award seats will be available for every flight.

UnitedSM Explorer Business Card Features

United Club Passes

With UnitedSM Explorer Business Card, you can earn two one-time passes to the airline’s lounges on each account anniversary. This pass offers complimentary beverages, snacks, and free Wi-Fi while you wait for your departure.

First Free Checked Bag

The UnitedSM Explorer Business Card allows you and one companion traveling on the same reservation to check one bag for free each way. Since United typically charges $30 per checked bag, this benefit is worth up to $120 per round-trip flight.

Priority Boarding

You and companions on the same reservation will be able to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding. Priority boarding follows boarding by groups, including members of the military, families with children under two years old, and those with elite status in the airline’s frequent flyer program.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

The benefit will compensate you, your immediate family members, and employee credit card holders for trips that are canceled or interrupted due to a covered condition. To be eligible, at least a portion of the trip should have been paid for with Chase business credit card. Chase offers up to $10,000 in coverage per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

The trip delay reimbursement covers trips delayed for more than 12 hours or delays that require an overnight stay due to equipment failure, bad weather, labor strikes, or a hijacking. You, your spouse, and dependent children  22 years old and younger are eligible for a reimbursement of expenses up to $500 with your UnitedSM Explorer Business Card. Covered expenses include meals, lodging, toiletries, and medication.

Baggage Delay Protection

If your checked baggage is delayed or misdirected by a carrier for more than six hours, you and your immediate family members are eligible for a $100 per day benefit for up to three days. The coverage is limited to purchases of essential items like clothing, toiletries, and charging cables for cellphones. Jewelry, prosthetics, tickets, money, and electronic devices are not covered.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

If your checked or carry-on luggage is lost or damaged while on a flight or traveling with another covered carrier, like a passenger train, you and your immediate family members are eligible for reimbursement of up to $3,000 for each. This coverage includes a $500 maximum benefit for jewelry, watches, cameras, video recorders, and other electronic equipment. Loss of papers, money, or tickets aren’t covered.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

When you rent a car, you’re covered in case of accident or theft. Coverage is primary if the vehicle rental is for business purposes, which means you won’t need to use your personal auto insurance or accept the insurance offered by the rental agency. Rentals of 31 consecutive days or fewer are eligible, and you may be reimbursed for up to the cash value of the vehicle. Certain vehicles are not covered, such as expensive vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, vans designed to carry more than eight people, and recreational vehicles.

Purchase Protection

Purchases damaged or stolen within 120 days of purchase are covered with purchase protection. Chase may repair, replace, or reimburse you for these items up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per year. Antique items, animals, living plants, motorized vehicles, computer software, consumables, jewelry, medical equipment, and preowned items are excluded from this coverage.

Extended Warranty Protection

Chase will extend the original manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on warranties of three years or less up to a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. To be eligible, you must have charged a portion of the purchase to your UnitedSM Explorer Business Card or used reward points to make the purchase. This warranty protection does not cover motorized vehicles, real estate, medical equipment, computer software, used items, and leased items.

UnitedSM Explorer Business Card Alternatives

Chase Ink Business Preferred®

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Apply Now

on Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card's secure website.

Fit Small Business Review
Rating 4.5 4.5
?Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.

Best For: Maximizing travel rewards at a lower annual fee

Intro APR Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
N/A 15.99% to 20.99% Variable $95 Good to Excellent
  • New Offer! Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
  • Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases - with no limit to the amount you can earn
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Redeem points for travel, cash back, gift cards and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • $95 Annual Fee

Note: The information related to the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected by fitsmallbusiness.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Pros
  • Opportunity to boost the value of reward points
  • Offers cellphone protection and trip cancellation insurance
Cons
  • Does not offer an interest-free financing period
  • Charges an annual fee
  • Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes. It provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Cellphone protection: You and the employees named on the phone bill you pay for with your card are covered for up to $600 in theft or damages per claim. You are limited to three claims per 12-month period, with a $100 deductible per claim.
  • Trip cancellation and delay insurance: If your trip is canceled, you can be compensated up to $15,000 for prepaid expenses such as airfare or hotels. If your trip is delayed for 12 hours or more, you can be reimbursed up to $500 for your hotel room, meals, and transportation.

American Express Business Platinum Card®

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Apply Now

on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express's secure website.

See Rates and Fees

Fit Small Business Review
Rating 5 5
?Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.

Best For: Gaining access to unrivaled travel rewards and luxury travel perks like airport lounge access

Intro APR Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
N/A N/A $595 Good, Excellent
  • Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com.
  • Get 50% more Membership Rewards® points. That's an extra half point per dollar, on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more. You can get up to 1 million additional points per year.
  • Enroll to get up to $200 in statement credits annually by getting up to $100 semi-annually for U.S. purchases with Dell. Terms apply.
  • 35% Airline Bonus: Use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points for all or part of a flight with your selected qualifying airline, and you can get 35% of the points back, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year when you book on amextravel.com.
  • Terms Apply
Pros
  • Free access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide
  • Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® membership fee reimbursements
Cons
  • Balance is due in full monthly
  • Steep $595 annual fee
  • American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than one dozen U.S. airports.
  • Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,000 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
  • Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every 4½ years.
  • Travel credit: A $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
  • Rental status: Elite status at a number of car rental agencies.
  • Free Wi-Fi: 10 annual free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes.
  • Rebate for redeemed points: 35% points rebate if you book a business or first-class flight, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year.
  • Dell statement credit: Up to $200 in statement credits annually for Dell purchases.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Learn More

On Chase's Secure Website

Fit Small Business Review
Rating 4 4
?Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.

Best For: Receiving rewards on Southwest purchases

Intro APR Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
N/A 15.99% - 22.99% Variable $99 Good - Excellent
  • Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
  • 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
  • 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases.
  • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Earn points on employee spending
  • Employee cards at no additional cost
  • No blackout dates when you redeem points, no seat restrictions, bags fly free®, and no change fees
  • No foreign transaction fees
Pros
  • Aids in qualifying for elite status with Southwest
  • Helps owners earn the Southwest Companion Pass
Cons
  • Rewards program is tailored to Southwest-related purchases
  • Lacks premium Southwest Airlines perks
  • Lost luggage reimbursement: Receive coverage up to $3,000 if you or your immediate family members’ checked or carry-on bags are damaged or lost.
  • Baggage delay insurance: Reimburses you for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for baggage delays over six hours; up to $100 a day for 3 days.
  • Purchase protection: Covers purchases for 120 days against damage or theft. Coverage is capped at $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.

Bottom Line

The UnitedSM Explorer Business Card is best for business owners who primarily fly with United Airlines and want to earn rewards for free flights. This card is also a great option for travelers who usually check a bag and travel with a companion. Check other top business credit cards to find an alternative card for your business.

About the Author

Benilyn Formoso - Suralta

Benilyn Formoso-Suralta is a staff writer at Fit Small Business focusing on finance, accounting, and Small Business Loans. She brings with her 12 years of experience as a banking officer with the Bank of the Philippine Islands with expertise in consumer banking, real estate sales, and foreign exchanges.

@benilynformoso