Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Freedom Flex wins 4-1. No-fee rotating cashback for category optimizers. Chase United Explorer is still the right call if united loyalists, free checked bag + lounge passes..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Flex | Chase United Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (shopping) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cashback after $500 spend in first 3 months | = 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = None stated | = None stated |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.2/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Freedom Flex
- 5% rotating quarterly bonus categories (up to $1,500/quarter)
- 5% on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining + drugstores
- 1% on everything else
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
Chase United Explorer
- 9x total miles on eligible United flights
- 3x miles on all other eligible United purchases
- 2x miles on dining, including eligible delivery services
- 2x miles on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- Free first checked bag for the cardholder and one companion on United-operated flights
FAQ
›Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase United Explorer: which is better?
Chase Freedom Flex wins on more dimensions (4 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern, see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Chase Freedom Flex for its best categories, Chase United Explorer for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase Freedom Flex: $200 cashback after $500 spend in first 3 months. Chase United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months.