Editorial take: Bilt Mastercard
The only card that earns points on rent with no fees. Pair it with Rent Day on the 1st of each month for bonus earning, then transfer to top partners like Hyatt at 1:1. A must-have for renters.
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Side-by-side
Bilt Mastercard vs United Explorer Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bilt Mastercard comes from Bilt / Wells Fargo at $0/yr; the United Explorer Card from Chase at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the United Explorer Card is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($780 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Mastercard's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the Bilt Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Bilt Mastercard | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | No public offer | 60,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $0 | $780 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 0 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Bilt / Wells Fargo | Chase |
| Card category | travel | airline |
| Best earning category (Dining) | 3x | 2x |
| Transfer partners | bilt | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Bilt Mastercard
$0/yr · No public offer
Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$95/yr · 60,000 miles
Editorial take: United Explorer Card
Solid for United flyers. The free checked bag and 2 United Club passes per year add up, and the 60k bonus is a great starting point for domestic award flights.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bilt Mastercard or United Explorer Card?
- The United Explorer Card has the bigger bonus — 60,000 miles, worth roughly $780, versus No public offer (~$0) on the Bilt Mastercard.
- Is the Bilt Mastercard's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
- The Bilt Mastercard has no annual fee, so the question is whether the United Explorer Card's $95 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the United Explorer Card's benefits to clear $95 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Bilt Mastercard.
- Can I have both the Bilt Mastercard and United Explorer Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bilt / Wells Fargo and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Bilt Mastercard or the United Explorer Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Mastercard: $0 spend in 0 months. United Explorer Card: $3,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.