The Offer
- Chase is offering a sign up bonus of 30,000 miles after $2,000 in purchases within the first three months and a $200 statement credit after your first purchase on the United MileagePlus Explorer
- 5,000 bonus miles after you add the first authorized user and make your first purchase in the first 3 months from account opening. This isn’t specifically mentioned but it’s a standard card benefit.
Card Details
- Annual fee of $95 is waived first year
- Free first checked bag
- Priority boarding
- No foreign transaction fees
- 2 United Club one-time passes each year for your Cardmember anniversary
- 5,000 bonus miles after you add the first authorized user and make your first purchase in the first 3 months from account opening
10,000 bonus miles after you spend $25,000 on purchases on your Card each calendar yearBenefit has been discontinued- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United**
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Miles don’t expire as long as your credit card account remains open
- Â 5/24 rule applies to this card, which you can read about here
Our Verdict
So let me start off this by saying this is a really bad deal. Now let me explain why, previously we’ve seen targeted offers as high as 70,000 miles + $50. That’s an extra 40,000 miles for $150 when compared to this deal. The last public offer was 50,000 miles + $100, that’s 20,00 miles for $100 when compared to this offer (there is still a targeted version of this here). I guess if you really really value the statement credit then you could make a case for this offer (minimum spend requirement is also $1,000 less), but it wouldn’t be a strong case. I’d recommend just waiting for a better offer to come along, especially considering this card has the 5/24 rule applied to it. Before applying for this card or asking basic questions regarding Chase credit cards, please read this post first. You can view what we think are the best current bonuses here. Also keep in mind the changes coming to this card on June 1st, 2018.
Hat tip to Yet Another Redditor
What a minute. Did you just copy/paste a post from last year? The linked offer is not the same as you claim. For example, I see no mention of “10,000 bonus miles after you spend $25,000 on purchases on your Card each calendar year” on the landing page.
Just last week, you reported that this card (which has been available forever) was essentially being discontinued and replaced with a similar card (with lesser benefits) as of June 1, and all existing card-holders would be automatically converted at that time. The major devaluation in this replacement/conversion was the loss of the 10,000 bonus miles for spending $25K on the card in a calendar year. You claim that’s part of the current offer (which would directly contradict what you said last week, and also does not appear on the linked offer page).
Edited to add: And now I see you railing against this “unfair change” on this very card in another of today’s posts. (I agree the change is unfair.)
Is this just a careless copy/paste job? What’s going on?
We copied and pasted the ‘card details’ section, you’re right in that the spending bonus is no longer offered and we’ve updated the post to reflect this. Sorry for the confusion
If at all possible, I prefer cash over (any) points. Cash is real, while points are ALWAYS subject to devaluation at the issuer’s discretion.
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Gareth, valuing cash over points is something I do as well. Last year I accepted a CHASE Marriott offer with far less points BUT no fee and a statement credit. I avoid annual fees if at all possible. May not ever get the IHG Mastercard again for that reason, I’m not giving CHASE even $29.
I’ve seen 25k + 250 couple days ago
I got this card 3 years ago and I have a heck of a time using my miles. Maybe it’s my location and preferred destinations but it’s always cheaper for me to buy the fare using the Chase travel portal. Just had to do a little survey to keep my miles alive. So for me, the statement credit is a better value. I imagine it isn’t for everyone.
yea. ur just doing it wrong. everything in this game is subjective and YMMV, but the overall rule is that you have to be way way flexible in your travel style. but whats right for you probably isnt right for everyone so everything in this game is YMMV. plenty dont give a shit about J/F or Maldives but plenty also do.
Doc, write up says offer expires 3/15/18.
I agree… there have been much better offers. Unfortunately for me (and maybe others), I may have to bite the bullet on this one. I’m now back to 4/24, and need the card to open up better award space for a booking I will make in August.
does having this card make more award space available? care to elaborate, i never heard about this.
Hi Yati! United makes more saver level award space available to those who have the United credit card or have premiere status with them. Make sure you’re signed into your United Account when searching for the awards.
Card members will have a few more flight options when you log in and search for award tickets.
projectx, don’t ever be hard on yourself for accepting the best available offer at the time you need a specific card. We all do it. Our lives don’t revolve around the banks’ marketing campaigns. Sometimes you’ll luck out, sometimes you’ll accept a little less than was available at a different time. Overall, most savvy DoC readers will fare much better in the scheme of things than the unaware.
I’m not upset with myself, just bummed on the timing. I missed the 50k offer for being 5/24 at the time.
Just a note for everyone the 40k offer is still available and appears to be the standard offer on Chase’s site.
If you’re not adverse to business cards, you can get the MPE Biz. Also there’s an icognito offer for the personal of 40K UA
You may be able to see the 40k or 50k offers (https://www.theexplorercard.com/50kAFW). Check reddits Daily Discussion Thread for today
Yup, I’ve been seeing the 50K offer with $100 statement credit and waived annual fee for the first year.
Did you try this link for the 50K Miles $100 SC?
https://www.theexplorercard.com/50k100AFWIC?CELL=K3H&int_source=loyalty&mode=d&int_medium=uacom2&int_campaign=explorer_50k100afwic&alm=207990&int_content=50k_100&partner_category=cc&partner_name=chase_acq&asset_position=ftsdpt&promo_code=cell_k3h&targeting=eqs&launch_date=2017-11-14
Thanks, updated this bit.
Done