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Side-by-side
TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card vs United Explorer Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card comes from TD Bank at $89/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 ($790 more in estimated value) than the TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $89 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | 25,000 bonus miles | 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $250 | $1,040 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | TD Bank | Chase |
| Card category | travel | airline |
| Best earning category (Travel) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card
$89/yr · 25,000 bonus miles
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, TD First Class Visa Signature Credit 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 25,000 bonus miles (~$250) on the TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card.
- Is the TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card's $89 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
- At $89/yr, the TD First Class Visa Signature Credit 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 TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card and United Explorer Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (TD Bank 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 TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card or the United Explorer Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. TD First Class Visa Signature Credit Card: $3,000 spend in 6 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.