Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. United℠ Explorer Card
Side-by-side comparison · Updated 2026 · Independently reviewed
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase
4.7
10x on Chase Travel. $300 travel credit. Priority Pass lounge access.
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
United℠ Explorer Card wins on more measurable categories — particularly annual cost. Chase Sapphire Reserve® may still win for your wallet depending on your spending patterns.
Feature
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
United℠ Explorer Card
Annual Fee
$550/yr
$95/yr Best
Sign-up Bonus
60,000 points
60,000 miles
Rewards Rate
1x-10x
1x-2x
Rewards Type
Points
Miles
0% Intro APR
N/A
N/A
Regular APR
22.49%-29.49% Variable
22.49%-29.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
None
Recommended Credit Score
720-850
670-850
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit offsets fee
- 10x on Chase Travel portal purchases
- Priority Pass lounge access worldwide
- 3x on dining and travel outside Chase portal
Cons
- $550 annual fee — one of the highest
- Overkill if you don't travel frequently
- Annual fee was recently raised from $450
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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