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PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card vs United Explorer Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card comes from PenFed 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 ($912 more in estimated value) than the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 bonus points after $1,500 spend in 90 days | 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $128 | $1,040 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,500 in 3 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | PenFed | Chase |
| Card category | cashback | airline |
| Best earning category (Gas) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card
$0/yr · 15,000 bonus points after $1,500 spend in 90 days
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, PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature 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 15,000 bonus points after $1,500 spend in 90 days (~$128) on the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card.
- Is the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
- The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card 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 PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card.
- Can I have both the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card and United Explorer Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (PenFed 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 PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card or the United Explorer Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card: $1,500 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.