Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card vs United Explorer Card
Fees, rewards and real yearly value, side by side. Updated October 29, 2026.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$561/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $750 welcome bonus: $1,311
United Explorer Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$276/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $660 welcome bonus: $936
The short answer
- On typical spending, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card comes out ahead: about $561 a year after its fee, against $276 for the Chase United Explorer Card.
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card earns more on groceries, dining, gas.
- The Chase United Explorer Card earns more on everything else.
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card costs $55 less a year to hold.
Side by side
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card | United Explorer Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $150 |
| Rewards | 5x points on Chase Travel; 3x points on dining, gas stations, EV charging, vacation homes, top streaming services, and online grocery; 1x points on all other purchases | 9x total miles on eligible United flights; 3x miles on all other eligible United purchases |
| Welcome bonus | Earn 75,000 points after you spend $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities. |
| Credits counted | $80/yr | $30/yr |
| Intro APR | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Regular APR | 19.49% to 27.74% variable | 19.99% to 28.49% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Credit needed | Good/Excellent | Good/Excellent |
Yearly rewards by category
| Category (monthly spend) | Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| groceries ($500) | $180 | $66 |
| dining ($400) | $144 | $106 |
| gas ($200) | $72 | $26 |
| travel ($300) | $36 | $40 |
| everything else ($1,200) | $144 | $158 |
Yearly value is rewards plus credits you'd realistically use, minus the annual fee, on $2,600/month: $500 groceries, $400 dining, $200 gas, $300 travel, $1,200 everything else. Points use conservative cash values; store-only rewards count at half. How we rank · Use your own spending
Questions people ask
Which is better, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card or the Chase United Explorer Card?
On typical spending the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card is worth more: about $561 a year after its fee, against $276 for the Chase United Explorer Card. Which is better for you depends on where you spend most; see the category answers below.
Which has the lower annual fee?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card ($95 a year, against $150).
Which is better for groceries?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card. On $500 a month of groceries it earns about $180 a year, against $66 with the Chase United Explorer Card.
Which is better for dining?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card. On $400 a month of dining it earns about $144 a year, against $106 with the Chase United Explorer Card.
Which is better for gas?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card. On $200 a month of gas it earns about $72 a year, against $26 with the Chase United Explorer Card.
Put any two cards head to head.
Pick any cards, including ones you already hold, and compare them on your own spending.
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Card details are collected from issuer websites and were last refreshed October 29, 2026. Terms change often; confirm them with the issuer before you apply.