All credit cards
Side-by-side
Capital One Spark Cash vs United Explorer Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash comes from Capital One at $95/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
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,000 cash bonus | 50,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,000 | $1,040 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $10,000 in 3 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Capital One | Chase |
| Card category | business | airline |
| Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Capital One Spark Cash
$95/yr · $1,000 cash bonus
Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$150/yr · 50,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
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, Capital One Spark Cash or United Explorer Card?
- The United Explorer Card has the bigger bonus, 50,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040, versus $1,000 cash bonus (~$1,000) on the Capital One Spark Cash.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
- At $95/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the United Explorer Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Capital One Spark Cash and United Explorer Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One 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 Capital One Spark Cash or the United Explorer Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash: $10,000 spend in 3 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.