Compare the Features and Benefits of Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and
United℠ Explorer Card

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a well-rounded card offering no annual fee and cash back on three key spending categories, including on online purchases. If your focus is on maximizing your earnings towards pure cash back (as opposed to travel rewards), the Everyday Card is a solid option worth considering.

If your spending aligns with purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, or U.S. online retail (who doesn’t shop at online retailers?) — and cash back is your main objective from a credit card — then this becomes an even easier decision. That’s because the Everyday Card earns 3% cash back on these three categories, up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases in each (then 1%). In addition, the Everyday Card offers a statement credit with several merchants including select streaming services and Home Chef, a rarity for a card with no annual fee (enrollment required).

Of course, it pays to consider other options, including this card’s sister product, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the no-annual-fee Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Both of these cards may offer slightly more cash back depending on your monthly expenses.

Rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

The United Explorer is one of the best credit cards out there for occasional United flyers. That’s because you’ll get useful perks, such as free first checked bags, priority boarding privileges, a 25% food and beverage discount on board United operated flights, and even get a taste of airport lounge access with two anniversary United Club passes. Plus. the annual fee is waived the first year, then just $95 thereafter.

Consider this scenario: Even if you only fly United a couple of times per year, the Explorer Card is worth it for the free checked bag benefit alone. Keep in mind, this applies to the primary card holder and one companion on the same reservation, as long as you use the card to pay for your ticket. At $35 for one checked bag, and $140 for a round-trip flight for two people, it’s easy to get value that exceeds the card’s annual fee.

In addition to the sign-up bonus earned after account opening, the United Explorer card earns a decent 2X miles on United Airlines purchases, 2X miles on dining, including eligible delivery services, 2X miles on hotel stays when booked with the hotel and 1x miles on all other purchases. Also, the card helps to fast track your United elite status goals with 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) for every $12,000 you spend on purchases (up to 1,000 PQPs in a calendar year). These PQPs can be applied toward your Premier status qualification — up to the Premier 1K level.

And don’t forget the ability to earn PQPs towards elite status from spend. You’ll earn 25 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) for every $500 you spend on purchases – up to 1,000 PQPs per year.

If you’re in need of extra miles besides flying on United flights, keep in mind that Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to the United Mileage Plus program at a 1:1 ratio to help you top up your miles balance.

While the United Explorer card is a fantastic option for the occasional United flyer, those that travel more often with the airline might want to consider other options, including United’s other, more premium, credit cards.

In more simple terms, the Explorer card fits the “occasional United flyer” once or twice per year mold, while the $250-per-year United Quest fits the “semi-frequent United flyer.” Then, there’s the United Club Infinite Card for the “frequent United flyer.” If you’re looking for a United Club membership and need more than just two one-time passes, you’ll probably be better off with the United Club Infinite Card, which comes with a full United Club membership but also charges the highest annual fee of the United cards at $525.