Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) vs United Explorer Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) comes from Mission Lane 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.
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 Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa)'s. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | None | 70,000 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 |
| Issuer | Mission Lane | Chase |
| Card category | credit-builder | airline |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 1.5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
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, Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) or United Explorer Card?
- The United Explorer Card has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040, versus None (~$0) on the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa).
- Is the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa)'s $0 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
- The Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) 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 Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa).
- Can I have both the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) and United Explorer Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Mission Lane 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 Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa) or the United Explorer Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Mission Lane Cash Back Visa (Silver Line Visa): $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.
