Beta

Free during beta. Plus launches at $12/mo or $99/yr on July 1. Annual is locked for 12 months during beta.

Skip to content
RewardZ Travel
All credit cards
Side-by-side

Mastercard Titanium Card vs United Explorer Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Mastercard Titanium Card comes from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $299/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 ($1,040 more in estimated value) than the Mastercard Titanium Card's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the Mastercard Titanium Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureMastercard Titanium CardUnited Explorer Card
Annual fee$299$150
Sign-up bonusNo public welcome bonus70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
Bonus value (est.)$0$1,040
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$3,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBarclays (Luxury Card)Chase
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Airfare_hotels_luxurycardtravel)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • Priority Pass Select ($469 value)
  • 2x airfare and hotels via LuxuryCardTravel
  • 24/7 Concierge
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Free checked bag
  • 2 United Club passes/year
  • Priority boarding
  • 25% back on inflight purchases
Read the full review
Mastercard Titanium Card
$299/yr · No public welcome bonus
Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$150/yr · 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus

Editorial take: Mastercard Titanium Card

The entry tier of the Barclays Luxury Card lineup. The $299 AF buys Priority Pass Select and a real metal card, but earning is weak (1x base, 2x on Luxury Card Travel bookings) and the cash-back redemption rate is only 1 cent per point. Better only as a status-and-lounge play for people who do not want to carry a Sapphire Reserve or Venture X.

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, Mastercard Titanium Card or United Explorer Card?
The United Explorer Card has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040, versus No public welcome bonus (~$0) on the Mastercard Titanium Card.
Is the Mastercard Titanium Card's $299 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
At $299/yr, the Mastercard Titanium Card 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 Mastercard Titanium Card and United Explorer Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Barclays (Luxury Card) 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 Mastercard Titanium Card or the United Explorer Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Mastercard Titanium Card: $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.