Chase Ink Business Preferred vs Chase United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Ink Business Preferred wins 2-0. US-incorporated startups — best welcome bonus in the business-card space. Chase United Explorer is still the right call if united loyalists — free checked bag + lounge passes..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Ink Business Preferred | Chase United Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = $95 | = $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 3% (travel) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 90,000 points after $8,000 spend in first 3 months (~$1,125 in travel) | = 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 700 | = 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.2/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Ink Business Preferred
- 3x points on travel + shipping + advertising + telecom (first $150K/year)
- 1x on everything else
- No foreign transaction fees
- Cell phone protection up to $1,000/claim
- Transferable to airline + hotel partners 1:1
- Employee cards at no cost
Chase United Explorer
- 2x miles on United + dining + hotel stays
- 1x on everything else
- Free first checked bag (saves ~$70/round trip)
- 2 United Club one-time passes annually
- Priority Boarding
FAQ
›Chase Ink Business Preferred vs Chase United Explorer: which is better?
Chase Ink Business Preferred wins on more dimensions (2 vs 0). 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 Ink Business Preferred 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 Ink Business Preferred: 90,000 points after $8,000 spend in first 3 months (~$1,125 in travel). Chase United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months.