New United Explorer Card Replaced Four Old United Cards - On May 2009, Chase and United that they have replaced their old United cards (there were four of them) with the United Mileage Plus® Explorer Card¹. Whereas the old United cards had slightly different features and price points, Chase and United essentially consolidated into just one card. At that time, the benefits of this card also extended to the Continental OnePass Card (because of the Continental and United merger)

United Explorer Is Now The Card of Continental United - When this card was announced, Continental and United were still in the midst of their merger. The intention was to continue to issue the Continental OnePass for the rest of 2011. On 3rd March 2012, Chase and Continental stopped issuing the Continental card and this card is now the official frequent flier card of Continental United.

Features Are A Reflection of Today's Airline Cards - If you look at the features of frequent flier cards today, you'll realize that they are different from those years ago. Some things remain unchanged. For example, the Explorer card allows you to earn double miles on Continental United ticket purchases. But like many cards today, you also get your first bag checked in for free if you have the card. That also applies to your companion. This perk has become valuable for non-elite members since almost every airline now charge baggage fees. If you fly within the US, the baggage fee for the first check-in baggage is $25. Therefore, if you travel with a companion, having the card (if you are not an elite member) can save you up to $50.

Priority Boarding And Premier Access - Cardholders can also get priority boarding access to the plane after the boarding of Premier® members and passengers with Premier AccessSM designations or passengers requiring special assistance And you also get two complimentary lounge access every year.

Bonuses - Many of you will be signing up for airline cards just for their bonuses! For this card, you get 25,000 bonus miles after your first purchase. You will get an additional 5,000 bonus miles if you use your card and add an additional card holder within two months (note: if you are a previous United or Continental card holder, you will not receive this 5,000 bonus). If you spend $25,000 every year on the card, you will also get 10,000 anniversary bonus miles. That means at present, a new cardholder can get up to 40,000 bonus miles in a year.

Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection - This benefit is available to certain Chase cards and this one happens to be one of them. It is a collaboration between Chase and Signature Travel Network. If you book your hotels and resorts through Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection Travel Specialist or on LHRCollection.com, you may get special rates and other privileges.

Who Should Get the United Explorer Card? - If you fly Continental United a lot, then you may want to consider the United Mileage Plus® Explorer Card as you get a host of benefits and the ability to earn extra miles when you book your tickets with the card. If you are not a Premier member, then you will benefit more from the first baggage fee waive and priority boarding.

If you are an elite member or fly business or first class, your second or third bags fly free and you also will have the benefit of priority boarding anyway. But with this card, you will earn miles much faster.

References

Chase and United unveil United Explorer Card