The Platinum Card® from American Express vs United MileagePlus® Explorer

American Express Platinum Card is an excellent charge card for frequent travelers. How does it compare to United MileagePlus Explorer from Chase, an airline credit card? Read our comparison chart below.

Keep in mind, the American Express Platinum Card has a $450 annual fee, while the United MileagePlus Explorer has a $95 annual fee (annual fee waived for first year).

	The Platinum Card® from American Express	United MileagePlus® Explorer
	Personal Charge Card	Personal Credit Card
	25,000 Membership Rewards® points bonus when you spend $2,000 during your first three months of Card membership GLOBAL Travel benefits: Access over 600 lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select, no foreign transaction fees, skip U.S. customs lines with Global Entry. Enroll and select an airline to receive up to $200 annually in statement credits for incidental fees such as checked bags, in–flight refreshments, and change fees.* Receive a companion ticket for discounted travel when you purchase a qualifying First- or Business-Class international ticket. Additional charges/taxes apply. 24/7 Platinum Card® Concierge service for assistance with reservations, travel, gifts, and more FINE HOTELS & RESORTS Program: exclusive upgrades and amenities at over 700 boutique, resort, and luxury hotels worldwide Use Membership Rewards Pay with Points for part or all of your travel and get 20% of	Earn up to 40,000 bonus miles & first year free, a $95 value* First checked bag is free for you and a companion when you fly United flights, up to a $50 value Board your flight before general boarding with priority boarding privileges Visit the United Club with two complimentary day passes every year, up to a $100 value Earn 2 miles for each $1 spent on airline tickets purchased from United and 1 mile per $1 for everything else Your miles don't expire and there is no limit to the number of miles you can earn
	Card Interest Rates & Fees
Purchases APR		as low as 15.24% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factors
Balance Transfers APR		as low as 15.24% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factors
Annual Fee	$450 annual fee	$95 annual fee, annual fee waived for first year
	Card Rewards & Benefits
Introductory Bonus Airline Rewards		Introductory Bonus Airline Rewards: Earn 25,000 bonus miles after first use and 5,000 additional bonus miles after your first Card use and for adding an authorized user within two months of opening your account.
Introductory Bonus Reward Points	Introductory Bonus Reward Points: 25,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $2,000 during your first three months of Card membership
Airline Rewards	Airline Rewards: Enroll and select an airline to receive up to $200 annually in statement credits for incidental fees such as checked bags, in–flight refreshments, and change fees.*	Airline Rewards: Earn 2 miles for $1 spent on tickets purchased from United and 1 mile per $1 everywhere else
Point Rewards	Point Rewards: Earn 1 point for virtually every dollar spent.
Travel Rewards	Travel Rewards: Use Membership Rewards Pay with Points for part or all of your travel and get 20% of those points back every time.	Travel Rewards: Redeem MileagePlus miles for any seat, any time, on any United flight*
Bonus Airline Rewards		Bonus Airline Rewards: Earn 10,000 bonus miles when you spend $25,000 or more on your Card each calendar year.
Airline Status	Airline Status: Airport Club Access including American Airlines Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club, US Airways Club - Gain instant access for you and 2 companions whenever you fly at partner airport lounges around the world. In addition to your existing lounge privileges, you have access to Priority Pass™ Select, which offers entry to more than 600 participating airport lounges worldwide, no matter what class or airline you fly. Enroll on American Express website to receive your complimentary Priority Pass Select membership card.	Airline Status: First checked bag is free for you and a companion when you fly United flights, up to a $50 value. Board your flight before general boarding with priority boarding privileges. Visit the United Club with two complimentary day passes every year, up to a $100 value.
	Go to issuer's official application, terms, and details	Go to issuer's official application, terms, and details
	CreditDonkey® Card Reviews
Pros & Cons	Pros: Travel perks 25,000 bonus points Concierge service Cons: $450 annual fee	Pros: Up to 40000 bonus points First checked bag free Priority boarding United Club passes Cons: $95 annual fee
Bottom Line	Excellent charge card for frequent travelers... Read full review	Excellent airline card for United frequent flyers... Read full review
See issuer's website for details including terms and conditions. While reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate and updated information, the information shown on this site may vary, be out of date, or not applicable to you. All information is provided without warranty. When you click on the Apply Now button, you can review the terms and conditions on the issuer's website. Blank fields indicate either the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the issuer's website for details. Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program. Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by Chase. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of Chase, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Chase. This site may be compensated through Chase Affiliate Program.

Articles on The Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express Platinum Card Review: Annual Fee Worth It?
January 13, 2012 - By David R - Review for American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card is one of the most prestigious rewards cards in the market today. It is also one of the most expensive cards, with an annual fee of $450. In exchange for the high annual fee, the Platinum Card offers a number ...

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.

Articles on United MileagePlus® Explorer

United Airlines Credit Card Review: No Annual Fee for First Year Offer
December 28, 2011 - By Neils - Review for United MileagePlus Explorer
Frequent United Airlines flyers have access to a new card that should help them save money in the long run.

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by Chase. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of Chase, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Chase. This site may be compensated through Chase Affiliate Program.

Compare American Express Platinum Card to:

American Express® Gold Card Intro APR (P) Intro APR (BT) APR as low as - - N/A Exclusive access to Gold Card Events – select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more. Purchase Protection* can protect eligible items for up to 90 days from the date of purchase if stolen or accidentally damaged. *Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company Redeem Membership Rewards® points for an exclusive array of travel, shopping, dining and entertainment rewards. Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $125. Get a decision in as little as 60 seconds.

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express Intro APR (P) Intro APR (BT) APR as low as - - 15.24% - 19.24% (Variable) Starpoints® BONUS: 10K with your first purchase and another 15K when you spend $5k within 6 months – enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel. Free nights, free flights: Redeem Starpoints with over 350 airlines through SPG Flights and more than 1,000 hotels and resorts worldwide. No blackout dates 2011 SmarterTravel® Award for "Best Travel Rewards Card" $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65

Chase Sapphire Preferred℠ Card Intro APR (P) Intro APR (BT) APR as low as - - 15.24% (Variable) Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months - that's $500 toward travel rewards! 2 points per dollar spent on travel and at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Get 20% off airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises when you book through Ultimate Rewards(SM) No foreign transaction fees Receive a 7% annual dividend on all new points earned - even on points already redeemed 1:1 point transfer to participating frequent travel programs Direct access to expert service advisors anytime No Annual Fee for your first year - A $95 value

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Compare United MileagePlus Explorer to:

United MileagePlus® Club Card Annual Club Membership - up to a $475 value Premier Access? Priority Airport Services Earn a 50% Mileage Bonus Check your first and second bag for free No Foreign Transaction Fees* Receive Access to exclusive events with Inside Access from Chase Intro APR for Purchases Intro APR for Balance Transfer APR as low as Annual Fee - - 15.24% (Variable) $395

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express Earn 30,000 bonus miles toward Award Travel when you spend $500 on the Card in the first three months from account opening $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 Check your first bag FREE - for up to 9 people on your reservation - on every Delta flight Receive double miles on Delta purchases and 1 mile for all other eligible dollars spent NEW — Priority Boarding and 20% In-Flight Savings Intro APR for Purchases Intro APR for Balance Transfer APR as low as Annual Fee - - 15.24% - 19.24% (Variable) $95

Related: Airline Rewards Credit Cards

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	Best Credit Card Deals for Airline Miles in 2012 As consumers embrace the start of 2012, savvy shoppers can give themselves a post-holiday gift of frequent flyer miles.