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Side-by-side

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs United Explorer Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes from Chase 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

For most people the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($960 more in estimated value) than the United Explorer Card's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the United Explorer Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureChase Sapphire PreferredUnited Explorer Card
Annual fee$95$150
Sign-up bonus100,000 points50,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
Bonus value (est.)$2,000$1,040
Min spend to unlock bonus$5,000 in 3 mo$3,000 in 3 mo
IssuerChaseChase
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Travel)5x1x
Transfer partnerschase-urNone
Headline benefits
  • 5x on travel booked via Chase
  • 3x on dining & streaming
  • $100 annual hotel credit
  • Transfer to 13 partners (Hyatt 1:1)
  • Free checked bag
  • 2 United Club passes/year
  • Priority boarding
  • 25% back on inflight purchases
Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 100,000 points
Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$150/yr · 50,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus

Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred

The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game. Note: the 10% anniversary points bonus sunsets October 1, 2026.

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, Chase Sapphire Preferred or United Explorer Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus, 100,000 points, worth roughly $2,000, versus 50,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus (~$1,040) on the United Explorer Card.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
At $95/yr, the Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred and United Explorer Card?
Yes, though both are issued by Chase so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred or the United Explorer Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 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.