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Chase Ink Business Premier vs United Explorer Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chase Ink Business Premier comes from Chase at $195/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 Chase Ink Business Premier is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,220 more in estimated value) than the United Explorer Card's. Get the Chase Ink Business Premier first; revisit the United Explorer Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureChase Ink Business PremierUnited Explorer Card
Annual fee$195$95
Sign-up bonus100,000 points60,000 miles
Bonus value (est.)$2,000$780
Min spend to unlock bonus$10,000 in 3 mo$3,000 in 3 mo
IssuerChaseChase
Card categorybusinessairline
Best earning category (Travel_chase)5x1x
Transfer partnerschase-urNone
Headline benefits
  • 100k bonus (one of largest)
  • 2.5x on $5k+ purchases
  • 5x Chase Travel
  • Pay-in-full (no APR)
  • Free checked bag
  • 2 United Club passes/year
  • Priority boarding
  • 25% back on inflight purchases
Read the full review
Chase Ink Business Premier
$195/yr · 100,000 points
Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$95/yr · 60,000 miles

Editorial take: Chase Ink Business Premier

Chase's premium business card filling the gap above Ink Business Preferred. The 2.5x on large purchases is unique among UR-earning cards — perfect for businesses that drop $5k+ on equipment, software, or contractors monthly. Pay-in-full required.

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, Chase Ink Business Premier or United Explorer Card?
The Chase Ink Business Premier has the bigger bonus — 100,000 points, worth roughly $2,000, versus 60,000 miles (~$780) on the United Explorer Card.
Is the Chase Ink Business Premier's $195 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
At $195/yr, the Chase Ink Business Premier is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the United Explorer Card's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Chase Ink Business Premier and United Explorer Card?
Yes, though both are issued by Chase so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). 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 Chase Ink Business Premier or the United Explorer Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Ink Business Premier: $10,000 spend in 3 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.