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Side-by-side

Bilt Blue vs United Explorer Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bilt Blue comes from Bilt / Cardless at $0/yr; the United Explorer Card from Chase at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the United Explorer Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($940 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Blue's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the Bilt Blue after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBilt BlueUnited Explorer Card
Annual fee$0$150
Sign-up bonus$100 Bilt Cash50,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
Bonus value (est.)$100$1,040
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$3,000 in 3 mo
IssuerColumn N.A.Chase
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Lyft)3x1x
Transfer partnersbiltNone
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1x everywhere, no caps
  • Up to 1.25x on rent
  • Rent Day 2x on the 1st
  • Free checked bag
  • 2 United Club passes/year
  • Priority boarding
  • 25% back on inflight purchases
Read the full review
Bilt Blue
$0/yr · $100 Bilt Cash
Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$150/yr · 50,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus

Editorial take: Bilt Blue

The no-fee entry tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026. 1X base earn on everything else, with 3X on Lyft, up to 4X at Bilt dining partners, and 3X hotels / 2X flights through the Bilt Travel portal. Best for renters who want the no-fee anchor plus full transfer partner access without paying $95+. The 5-transactions-per-cycle minimum from legacy Bilt is gone, and Rent Day doubles everyday earn on the 1st up to 1,000 bonus points.

Editorial take: United Explorer Card

Solid for United flyers. The free checked bag and 2 United Club passes per year add up, and the 50k + 10k AU bonus is a great starting point for domestic award flights. $0 intro annual fee, then $150.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bilt Blue or United Explorer Card?
The United Explorer Card has the bigger bonus, 50,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040, versus $100 Bilt Cash (~$100) on the Bilt Blue.
Is the Bilt Blue's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
The Bilt Blue has no annual fee, so the question is whether the United Explorer Card's $150 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the United Explorer Card's benefits to clear $150 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Bilt Blue.
Can I have both the Bilt Blue and United Explorer Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Column N.A. and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Bilt Blue or the United Explorer Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Blue: $0 spend in 0 months. United Explorer Card: $3,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.