United MileagePlus Explorer Card 60K – New Targeted Offer
Chase has sent out fliers and emails for a new targeted offer of 60,000 miles for the United MileagePlus Explorer card. The offer ends on October 31, 2017.
Details on the Bonus vs Historical Highs
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months your account is open. 5,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user to your account and they make a purchase within 3 months of account opening. There have been bonuses offered up to 75,000 miles and $50 in the past.
Bonus Restrictions
The Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Card has a few bonus restrictions:
- This product is not available to either current cardmembers of this credit card, or previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months.
- The United MileagePlus Explorer Card falls under Chase’s 5/24 rule even if you have been targeted.
Earning Structure
The Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Card has the following earning structure:
- 2 miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United
- 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases
Cardmember Perks
The United MileagePlus card comes with a few nice perks, they are as follows:
- Free first checked bag for you and a companion on United operated flights when you purchase your tickets with your card.
- Priority boarding
- Two one-time United Club passes each cardmember year.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to special events and unique experiences
- In the past cardmembership has lead to higher portal pay outs and more award seat availability.
See if you are targeted by going to this site and logging in to your United account
Fees
Annual Fee: $95 (not waived the first year)
Sign Up Bonus Value $900 ($825 net)
United miles are worth around 1.5 cents on average. That makes 60,000 miles worth around $900. When you subtract the $95 annual fee you get a net value of $825 for this targeted offer. Feel free to substitute in your own value for United MileagePlus miles.
Conclusion
While 60,000 miles is not as high as previous targeted offers of 75,000 and $50, it is still an improvement over the standard 40-50,000 mile offers. If you are in need of United miles, were targeted, and fall within the bonus requirements it is a very tempting offer.
Getting 2 round trip flights, for essentially $95, is always a win in my book. The Chase United MileagePlus Explorer card comes with a few decent perks (free checked bags, 2 lounge passes) that help offset the $95 annual fee too.
Were you targeted for the offer? Do you think the increase is worth an application? Let us know in the comments!
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I received the offer via the mail. Signed up for the card and spent the $3k. However, I only got 40,000 miles. When I called about the other 20,000, they said I chose the wrong offer when I signed up. Going back to the offer url gets me to only one available offer. I feel like I’ve been had and am now stuck with a high interest card I spent too much money on. I’ll use my miles and cancel.
Sorry to hear that. I would try calling them again and asking to talk to a supervisor and see if they will give you something. I would give it another try or two. Or at least send a secure message etc. saying how you feel like you have been taken advantage of etc. Chase is usually pretty good about that kind of stuff.
I didn’t see anything in the terms of the targeted offer related 5/24 (I may have missed it), but 5/24 is definitely still applicable even if targeted?
Thanks!
Yes 5/24 still comes into play even if targeted unfortunately.
I am once again targeted for miles, like when it was 75K. I’m confused, though, since I thought they would know I’ve had an Explorer card for years.
Once it has been over 2 years you are able to get another bonus – maybe that is all the system notices? Or it could be United driven based on your flying with them. They also send out the offers to people way over 5/24 so I don’t think they have the best system in place for marketing.
I have heard that some United lounge attendants are refusing entry to those using United day passes purchased on EBay. I think the United Explorer card might be pretty good for those who occasionally fly United and would like lounge access but are not willing to pay $450 for a United Club card. The Explorer card will provide you with two annual passes. You can also safely use United Club passes purchased on EBay by claiming the the you received these passes through your card.
Yeah the lounge passes is a nice perk AA used to give out too – not anymore 🙁
Good point on using Ebay purchases. I am surprised they care since what if someone just gives it as a gift? They are against that??
I received 2 United lounge passes as a gift. I wonder if it will help since we plan on using it to fly on a premium economy cabin on a Star Alliance flight… =/
Only offered 40k
Me too – not that I could get it anyways since I am over 5/24