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Monday, May 18, 2026

United Explorer Visa Card Bonus Rewards

All our credit cards earn points or cash back.  I try to use the card that benefit us the most.   Sometime this involves managing which card to use since some card offer bonus rewards periodically.

I have a United Explorer Visa card that I rarely use.  I originally got the card because we were flying United and it enabled us to check two bags for free.  In addition, I received two passes to their lounge, which we did use.  Also, I just found out I can use United points to pay the annual card fee.

However, I don't use the United Explorer card much except when they have occasional points bonus reward of 1000 point when spending $500 and and additional bonus of 1500 points if done in all three bonus months.  Recently though, the United Explorer increased the number of ways to get bonus rewards.
  • $100 flight credit for spending $10000 in a calendar year.
  • 6000 bonus miles for spending $7000 in a specified 4 month period.
Right now the bonus mile programs overlap in timing which means the same spending can apply to both bonuses.

For us, this is not additional spending.  It's just a choice of which card to use for rewards, since we use credit cards for almost everything, groceries, entertainment, travel, online purchase, etc, except if there is a added charge for using a credit card.

I estimate all the bonus miles will get me close to one economy round trip flight on United for one person.

Disclosure: No compensation from United or Visa was received for this post.

For more on Strategies and Plans, check back every Monday  for a new segment.

This is not financial, credit card, nor travel advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

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