United Explorer: Full Benefits Guide

Here is a compreshensive list of benefits — large and small — associated with the United Explorer credit card.  They are subject to change. We currently rate it the best no baggage fee credit card (read review) for both its free checked bag benefit and its ability to earn United miles, our favorite among U.S. based airline programs. Unless otherwise specified, you must use the card for a purchase to receive the benefit on that purchase.

Read our review of other United Airlines credit card options here. This card will replace the Continental OnePass Plus card in 2012, but it carries the exact same set of benefits.

Point earning

Introductory mileage bonus. United and Chase typically offer a generous sign on bonus for the card (check here for the latest). Note the bonus is only for those who don’t currently hold another United credit card.

2 points per dollar spent on United purchases. Applies to purchases of both United and Continental flights.

1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

10,000 annual mile bonus. When you spend $25,000 in any given calendar year.

Miles don’t expire. As long as you are a United credit card holder. Normally, inactive miles expire after 18 months.

United travel benefits

First checked bag free (a $50 savings per roundtrip per person). For you and a companion on your reservation. Eligible customers may receive their applicable standard checked bag free on flights operated by United or Continental only; codeshare flights are not eligible. The primary cardmember’s MileagePlus account number must be listed in their reservation and they must pay for their tickets with their qualifying United MileagePlus credit card.

Priority Boarding. You can board United and Continental flights right after elites and before general boarding. When traveling on Continental-operated flights Cardmembers will temporarily have “EliteAccess” printed on their boarding pass and will board via the carpeted lane. This will only be until systems are updated to support the zoned boarding used on United flights. After that, you will receive a ‘zone’ number that is after elites, and before general boarding.

United Club day passes. Receive 2 day passes to the United Club at the airport. These were formerly known as Red Carpet Clubs and Presidents Clubs. Passes are awarded each year on the anniversary date of your card.

Reward ticket upgrades (elite/premier flyers only). If you are a United or Continental elite or premier member, you will be eligible for domestic upgrades in the same way you would if you bought a cash ticket. This benefit will roll out by early 2012 and is only available to United / Continental credit card holders.

Last seat mile ticket availability. As a United Explorer credit card holder you can book with miles up to the very last seat on the flight at the premium ‘standard’ award level

Other Travel Benefits

Free breakfast / upgrades at Luxury Hotel Collection. When you book using http://lhrcollection.com/ you receive breakfast for two daily, a room upgrade, if available at check-in, early check-in and late check-out, if available, and a very special amenity unique to every property such as lunch or dinner for two, a spa treatment, a round of golf, airport transfers or an experience of a lifetime. This is similar to the Fine Hotels benefit of the $450 Platinum Card from American Express.

Primary car rental insurance. Few other credit cards offer this. You do not have to claim payment from any other source of insurance before receiving coverage under the benefit. Most vehicles are covered with the exception of ‘expensive, exotic, and antique’ vehicles like Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche, and Rolls Royce. Select models of BMW, Mercedes, CAdillac, and Lincoln are covered. Some vans, vehicles with an open cargo bed, trucks, motorcycles, opeds, limousines, and RVs are also excluded. Israel, Jamaica, and Ireland are excluded from the benefit.

$1,500 trip cancellation insurance. If you are genuinely unable to travel due to doctor-verified illness (not pre-existing), death, or injury of yourself or an immediate family member, you can receive a refund of the nonrefundable portion of your travel expenses. The limit is $1,500 but this can be valuable if for example you can’t make a nonrefundable flight.

$300 delayed baggage coverage. If your baggage is delayed more than 18 hours from your arrival, you can be reimbursed for $100 per day of expenses to buy essential clothing, toiletries, etc in the interim for up to three days. This is coverage the airlines themselves will often not provide. Note that most medical essentials like contact lenses and dentures are not covered.

$3,000 lost or damaged luggage reimbursement. Coverage in excess of any reimbursement from the airline or other insurance you carry. Exclusions include cameras, glases / contacts, tickets, money / documents, precious metals except personal jewelry.

Roadside assistance. Call 1-866-359-5402, available for help when you are more than 50 miles away from home in the U.S. and Canada. Covers maximum of $50 per event, up to four per year. Includes battery boost, flat tire service, fuel delivery, towing, and lockout assistance. See www.crosscountry-auto.com/assist24-terms for details.

Travel accident insurance. Up to $500,000 in coverage for accidental loss of life, limb, sight, speech, or hearing that occurs while a passenger, or on the way to and from your departure and arrival point.

Inside Access Events. Chase regularly offers tickets to events and experiences available for purchase only by cardholders. See http://www.insideaccessfromchase.com/Event.aspx for current event listings.

Free wine tasting. Over 60 wineries in Napa and Sonoma County offer 2 complimentary tastings per card holder and discounts on wine purchased in person at the winery.

Discounts and free shipping. Many online merchants offer special discounts and shipping offers for Visa Signature card holders, see this link for details.

Purchase protections

Extended warranty. Doubles manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional year on warranties of 3 years or less. Boats, software, medical equipment, business equipment, real estate items, and used items are not covered. Gifts are covered. You must keep your receipt and the warranty on file.

Price protection. If you buy an item with the card and see a print ad or non-auction online ad with a lower price within 90 days or purchase you can receive a refund of the difference, up to $500. per item, $1,500 per year. Cars, plants, cell phone plans, jewelry, real estate, and used items are among those excluded. Purchase must be made in the U.S.

Purchase protection. If an item you buy with the card is stolen, lost, damaged, or involuntarily parted (you know where it is, but it’s not recoverable) within 90 days of purchase, you can receive up to $10,000 per item ($50,000 per year). ‘Mysterious disappearances’ with no evidence of a wrongful acts are excluded, as are items being transported/delivered, and  losses from checked baggage, among others. This coverage is in excess of any insurance coverage you already have, which will be considered first. You must file a police report within 48 hours for theft, or include a fire, insurance, or loss report.

Return protection. If you decide to return an item with in 90 days and the store won’t take it back you can receive up to $300 per item ($1,000 per year). Software, motor vehicles, cash, formal attire, jewelry, medical equipment, perishables, and real estate items are excluded.

Identity theft protection. $1,000 in coverage toward expenses to restore your identity if it’s stolen. Includes up to 4 credit reports after the event, re-filing costs, notary fees, and lost wages for time away from work to amend or verify records.

Annual fee

None the first year, $95 per year thereafter.