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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 Cash70,000 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
IssuerBilt / CardlessChase
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Rent)1x1x
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 · 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus

Editorial take: Bilt Blue

The no-fee entry tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026 by Cardless. Flat 1x earn (no bonus categories — those live on Obsidian and Palladium). Best for renters who want the no-fee anchor + full transfer partner access without paying $95+. The 5-transactions-per-cycle minimum from legacy Bilt is gone, and Rent Day still doubles everyday earn on the 1st.

Editorial take: United Explorer Card

Solid for United flyers. The free checked bag and 2 United Club passes per year add up, and the 70k + 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, 70,000 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 (Bilt / Cardless 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.