United Airlines raised the MileagePlus Explorer Card welcome bonus to 75,000 miles after $5,000 in purchases within three months, up from 60,000 previously. The annual fee remains at $95, marking a significant increase in upfront value for new applicants.

Existing cardholders gain additional perks including four United Club day passes per year (versus two previously), a one-time $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement, and a 25% discount on award redemptions. The changes aim to deepen member loyalty and encourage higher annual spending.

This move intensifies competition in the travel card market, pressuring rivals like Delta and American to refresh their co-brand offerings. United positions its product to capture a larger share of premium travelers and offset airline revenue volatility through stable card fees.