When it comes to choosing the right travel or airline credit card, two options frequently find themselves in the spotlight: the United Explorer Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
In this side by side comparison, we will delve into the key features, perks, and drawbacks of each card to help you make an informed decision.
General Comparison: United Explorer vs Chase Preferred
Overall, the United Explorer Card is more focused on earning rewards within the United Airlines network, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers more flexibility with its Chase Ultimate Rewards points, allowing you to redeem for a wide range of travel options and transfer to various airline and hotel loyalty programs.
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Comparing Rewards: United Explorer vs Chase Preferred
When comparing credit card rewards, the significant advantage of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the high ratio of U.S. Supermarkets and travel purchases.
Overall, the Preferred card offers higher rewards for the average consumer. Customers can also transfer Ultimate Rewards points to United miles at a 1:1 ratio.
 |
| |
|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | United℠ Explorer Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 15,000 miles | 45,000 points |
$5,000 – Restaurants
| 10,000 miles | 15,000 points |
$4,000 – Airline | 8,000 miles | 20,000 points |
$3,000 – Hotels | 6,000 miles | 15,000 points |
$4,000 – Gas | 4,000 miles | 4,000 points |
Total Miles/Points | 43,000 miles | 99,000 points |
Estimated Redemption Value | 1 mile ~ 1.2 cents
| 1 point ~ 1 – 1.5 cent |
Estimated Annual Value | $516 | $990 – $1,565 |
Chase Preferred offers versatile redemption options, allowing cardholders to maximize rewards. Cardholders can redeem points for flights, hotels, or car rentals through the Ultimate Rewards portal. Alternatively, opt for cash back, gift cards, or merchandise. The flexibility ensures tailored rewards suited to individual preferences.
United Infinite offers versatile redemption options, allowing members to use miles for flights, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and experiences.
Can I Transfer Chase Sapphire Preferred Points To United?
Yes, you can definitely transfer Chase Sapphire Preferred points to United MileagePlus miles.
It's a smooth and straightforward process with a 1:1 transfer ratio, meaning every 1,000 Chase points becomes 1,000 United miles.
Sometimes, transfer bonuses introduce a temporary “exchange rate” different from 1:1, further increasing the value of your points. The transfer typically takes 24-48 hours because both systems need to update their records and ensure everything is synchronized.
Travel Benefits & Protections You'll Get On Both Cards
Both cards offer the following benefits and protections:
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. This provides primary insurance coverage for theft and collision damage for most rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.
- Baggage Delay Insurance: If your baggage is delayed for over 6 hours by a passenger carrier, you can be reimbursed for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing, up to $100 a day for 3 days.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: You can be reimbursed for pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares (up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip) if your trip is canceled or cut short due to covered situations like sickness or severe weather.
- Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your common carrier travel is delayed over 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.
- Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage or theft for 120 days, up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Visa Concierge: Enjoy complimentary access to Visa Signature® Concierge Service 24/7, helping you find tickets to events, make dinner reservations, and more.
- Extended Warranty Protection: Eligible warranties of three years or less can be extended by an additional year.
- DoorDash: Receive one year of complimentary DashPass membership, offering unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders.
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Which Unique Benefits Each Card Offer?
There are some additional types of perks that you will see with both of these cards. If you need a card with travel insurance, both cards are a good choice.
United℠ Explorer Card
- Global Entry/TSA Precheck® Reimbursement: You can receive up to $100 as a statement credit every four years to cover the application fee for Global Entry, TSA Precheck®, or NEXUS, making your airport security process faster and more convenient.
- 25% Back on In-Flight Purchases: You'll get a 25% statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights when you pay with your Explorer Card, saving you money during your travels.
- Priority Boarding: You and your companions on the same reservation can board United-operated flights before the general boarding process, allowing you to secure overhead bin space and settle into your seats more comfortably.
- Earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): You can earn PQP to help you achieve MileagePlus Premier® status, enhancing your travel experience with United Airlines.
- Free First Checked Bag: You and a companion can save up to $140 per roundtrip by receiving a free checked bag when flying with United, reducing your travel expenses.
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement: If your luggage is damaged or lost by the carrier, you're covered up to $3,000 per passenger or immediate family member.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Anniversary Statement Credit: Every year on your card anniversary, you have the opportunity to earn up to $50 in statement credits for hotel stays made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
- Travel Bonus: When you redeem your reward points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, you'll receive a 25% bonus, enhancing the value of your points.
- Anniversary Bonus: Chase offers a 10% bonus on your total purchases from the previous year as an anniversary gift. For example, if you earned 20,000 points in the first year, you'll receive a 2,000-point bonus in the second year.
- Lyft Rides: During the promotional period, you'll earn extra points on Lyft rides, currently available until March 2025.
- Instacart+ Subscription: Linking your card to Instacart grants you a six-month Instacart+ subscription for free. As a member, you can earn up to $15 in statement credits per quarter until July 2024.
- Emergency and Travel Assistance: If you encounter any issues while away from home, a dedicated helpline is available to provide assistance with medical and legal referrals or help with travel and emergency situations.
Main Drawbacks: How They Compare?
United Explorer Card
- Niche Rewards: The rewards structure of the United Explorer Card heavily favors spending on United Airlines and dining. If your spending habits don't align with these categories, you may find it challenging to maximize your rewards compared to the Sapphire Preferred, which offers more flexible and balanced rewards for dining and travel expenses.
- Limited Travel Partnerships: The United Explorer Card is primarily focused on United Airlines and its Star Alliance partners. In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has a more extensive list of transfer partners, including various airlines and hotel loyalty programs. This makes the Sapphire Preferred more versatile for travelers who prefer a broader range of options
- No Dining or Grocery Bonuses: The United Explorer Card lacks bonus categories for everyday spending, unlike the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Fewer Airline-Related Bonuses: The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not offer specific bonuses for United Airlines purchases or dining at United Club locations, which the United Explorer Card does. If you primarily spend on these categories, you might earn fewer rewards with the Sapphire Preferred.
- No Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) Earnings: If you're looking to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) to achieve or maintain MileagePlus Premier® status with United, the United Explorer Card offers a more direct path to earning PQP through card spending. The Sapphire Preferred does not provide this specific benefit.
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When You Might Prefer The Chase Sapphire Preferred?
You might prefer the Chase Sapphire Preferred over the United Explorer Card in several scenarios:
- Diverse Travel Interests: If your travel interests extend beyond United Airlines and its partners, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers more flexibility. It allows you to transfer points to various airlines and hotel loyalty programs, giving you access to a broader range of travel options.
- No Loyalty to United Airlines: If you're not loyal to United Airlines or don't frequently fly with them, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a more versatile choice. It doesn't tie you to a specific airline, allowing you to use your points for different carriers and travel experiences.
- Desire for Comprehensive Travel Protections: The Chase Sapphire Preferred provides comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and primary car rental insurance. If you value these protections, the Sapphire Preferred is a stronger option
- Dining and Grocery Spending: If you spend a significant amount on dining and groceries, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers higher rewrads ratio on these categories, making it more rewarding for everyday expenses.
- Interest in Ultimate Rewards Partners: If you're interested in maximizing your rewards through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program by leveraging the program's transfer partners, the Sapphire Preferred is an ideal choice.
When You Might Prefer the United Explorer Card?
You might prefer the United Explorer Card over the Chase Sapphire Preferred in several scenarios:
- Frequent United Flyers: If you frequently fly with United Airlines or prefer to stick with a specific airline and redeem United travel benefits, the United Explorer Card offers perks like free checked bags and priority boarding that are tailored to United Airlines loyalists.
- Earning Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): If you're working toward or maintaining MileagePlus Premier® status with United, the United Explorer Card allows you to earn PQP through card spending, which can help you achieve your status goals.
Compare The Alternatives
There are other travel cards worth mentioning, here are some of our best premium travel credit cards:
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|
| |
|---|---|---|---|
The Platinum Card® from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Capital One Venture X Rewards | |
Annual Fee | $695. See Rates & Fees | $550 | $395 |
Rewards |
1X – 5X
5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
|
1X – 10X
5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals and dining when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases. | 1X – 10X
10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases
|
Welcome bonus |
80,000 points
80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
|
60,000 points
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
| 75,000 miles
75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0. See Rates & Fees | $0 | $0
|
Purchase APR | 21.24% – 29.24% APR Variable | 22.49%–29.49% variable | 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable) |
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