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.
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Side-by-side
United Explorer Card vs USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum
Both are well-respected travel cards. The United Explorer Card comes from Chase at $150/yr; the USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum from USAA at $0/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 USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | United Explorer Card | USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus | None |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,040 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | USAA |
| Card category | airline | rewards |
| Best earning category (United) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$150/yr · 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
Read the full review
USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum
$0/yr · None
Editorial take: USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, United Explorer Card or USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum?
- The United Explorer Card has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040, versus None (~$0) on the USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum.
- Is the United Explorer Card's $150 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum?
- At $150/yr, the United Explorer Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the United Explorer Card and USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and USAA) 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 United Explorer Card or the USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. United Explorer Card: $3,000 spend in 3 months. USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum: $0 in 0 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.