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The New United℠ Explorer Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express

The New United℠ Explorer Card vs The Platinum Card® from American Express

This comparison aims to help you decide between the The New United℠ Explorer Card and the The Platinum Card® from American Express. Both cards offer unique benefits and features that cater to different types of users. Let's dive into the details.

Card Overviews

The New United℠ Explorer Card

The New United℠ Explorer Card is designed for frequent travelers, especially those who prefer flying with United Airlines. With a range of travel perks such as bonus miles, priority boarding, and a free checked bag, this card is ideal for United loyalists and those looking to maximize their travel rewards.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card that offers extensive benefits for travelers who value luxury and convenience. With access to a wide range of airport lounges, generous rewards on travel purchases, and various credits for travel-related expenses, this card is perfect for high spenders and frequent flyers looking for a premium experience.

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature The New United℠ Explorer Card The Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual Fee $0 Intro Annual Fee for the First Year, then $150 $695
Welcome Bonus Earn 80,000 bonus miles Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Rewards Structure 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel; 1x mile on all other purchases 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel; 5X on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
Foreign Transaction Fee None None
Other Fees Terms Apply Terms Apply
Additional Benefits Priority boarding, free first checked bag, up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® fee credit Access to 1,400+ airport lounges, $200 Hotel Credit, $240 Digital Entertainment Credit, and more

Rewards Highlights

The New United℠ Explorer Card

  • Debut Offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
  • 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel.
  • 1x mile on all other purchases.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

Pros and Cons

The New United℠ Explorer Card

  • Pros:
    • No annual fee for the first year.
    • Generous bonus miles offer.
    • Free checked bag and priority boarding.
  • Cons:
    • Limited to United Airlines for maximum benefits.
    • Less overall rewards potential compared to premium cards.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

  • Pros:
    • Comprehensive travel benefits and credits.
    • Access to exclusive lounges and dining experiences.
    • High rewards earning potential on travel-related purchases.
  • Cons:
    • High annual fee.
    • Requires significant spending to maximize benefits.

Who Should Consider Which Card?

The New United℠ Explorer Card is ideal for individuals who frequently fly with United Airlines and want to earn miles with their purchases while enjoying travel-related perks without a high annual fee in the first year.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is best suited for those who travel often, have a higher spending capacity, and value luxury experiences such as airport lounge access and premium travel credits.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between The New United℠ Explorer Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express should be based on your individual spending habits, travel preferences, and financial goals. Consider how each card's features align with your lifestyle to make the best decision.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

“Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.”