Chase United Explorer vs Discover It Miles
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Discover It Miles wins 4-1. No-fee flat travel earn, first-year doubled effectively makes it 3x. Chase United Explorer is still the right call if united loyalists, free checked bag + lounge passes..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase United Explorer | Discover It Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $150 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 2% (travel) | · 1.5% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 1.5% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months | = Discover doubles all miles earned in your first year (Mile Match) |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = None stated | = None stated |
| Min credit score | · 700 | 670 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
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
Discover It Miles
- 1.5x miles on every purchase
- Discover Mile Match: doubles all miles earned in year 1
- Redeem against any travel purchase
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
- Free FICO score
FAQ
›Chase United Explorer vs Discover It Miles: which is better?
Discover It Miles 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 United Explorer for its best categories, Discover It Miles for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months. Discover It Miles: Discover doubles all miles earned in your first year (Mile Match).