Citi Premier vs Chase United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Citi Premier wins 2-0. Travel + dining + groceries combined — broader 3x than Sapphire Preferred. Chase United Explorer is still the right call if united loyalists — free checked bag + lounge passes..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Premier | 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 | = 60,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 3 months | = 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 | 4.4/5 | · 4.2/5 |
Benefits compared
Citi Premier
- 3x ThankYou points on travel (incl. gas)
- 3x on dining
- 3x on supermarkets
- Transferable to 16 airline partners
- $100 annual hotel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
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
›Citi Premier vs Chase United Explorer: which is better?
Citi Premier 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 Citi Premier 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?
Citi Premier: 60,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 3 months. Chase United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months.