Editorial take: Discover it Miles
A rare card that effectively earns 3x in year one (1.5x + match). Miles aren't transferable, but the simplicity + first-year match make this a strong starter travel card.
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Side-by-side
Discover it Miles vs United Explorer Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Discover it Miles comes from Discover 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 ($590 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Miles's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the Discover it Miles after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Discover it Miles | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) | 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $450 | $1,040 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 12 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Discover | Chase |
| Card category | travel | airline |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 1.5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Discover it Miles
$0/yr · Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled)
Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$150/yr · 70,000 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 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, Discover it Miles or United Explorer Card?
- The United Explorer Card has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040, versus Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) (~$450) on the Discover it Miles.
- Is the Discover it Miles's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
- The Discover it Miles 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 Discover it Miles.
- Can I have both the Discover it Miles and United Explorer Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Discover 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 Discover it Miles or the United Explorer Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Discover it Miles: $0 spend in 12 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.