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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

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.

FeatureChase Sapphire PreferredUnited Explorer Card
Annual fee$95$150
Sign-up bonus75,000 points50,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
Bonus value (est.)$1,500$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
  • $50 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 · 75,000 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 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, Chase Sapphire Preferred or United Explorer Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, 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.