Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. United℠ Explorer Card
Side-by-side comparison · Updated 2026 · Independently reviewed
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase
4.8
Earn 60,000 bonus points. Strong travel and dining rewards.
Full review →United℠ Explorer Card
Chase
4.2
Free 1st + 2nd checked bags. 60,000-mile bonus. 2x on United, dining, hotel.
Full review →WealthSpott Verdict
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card wins on more measurable categories — particularly annual cost. United℠ Explorer Card may still win for your wallet depending on how you spend.
Feature
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
United℠ Explorer Card
Annual Fee
$95/yr
$95/yr
Sign-up Bonus
60,000 points
60,000 miles
Rewards Rate
1x-5x
1x-2x
Rewards Type
Points
Miles
0% Intro APR
N/A
N/A
Regular APR
21.49%-28.49% Variable Best
22.49%-29.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
None
Recommended Credit Score
670-850
670-850
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Pros
- Valuable sign-up bonus (60k points)
- 3x on dining and travel
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Points worth more when redeemed for travel through Chase
United℠ Explorer Card
Pros
- Free first and second checked bags on United
- 60,000-mile sign-up bonus
- Two United Club passes per year
- 2x on United, dining, and hotels
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Miles tied to United/Star Alliance
- Standard 1x earning on non-bonus purchases
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