That's a huge benefit for anyone that spends any time at all out of the country. I just got the Priority Club Select and that was one of the reasons. NFCU Cash Rewards has a 1% FTF so that isn't to bad. I just don't like United. 
So the main differences between the club card and explorer are:
1. unlimited lounge vs. 2 visits per year
2. 50% more miles on club
3. priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding and baggage handling privileges.
4. hyatt platinum and avis
5. $100 statement credit for 1st purchase as opposed to 30/50k miles sign-up bonus
6. Club is metal and explorer is plastic? Or both of them are metal?
am i missing anything?
I was honestly tempted to get the club card for that hotel feature alone (if those features are indeed for real and not just gimmicks), but now the explorer card looks even nicer
Anyone has any experience with that luxury hotel booking? Do you really get room upgrades?
1. unlimited lounge vs. 2 visits per year
2. 50% more miles on club
3. priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding and baggage handling privileges.
4. hyatt platinum and avis
5. $100 statement credit for 1st purchase as opposed to 30/50k miles sign-up bonus
6. Club is metal and explorer is plastic? Or both of them are metal?
am i missing anything?
I was honestly tempted to get the club card for that hotel feature alone (if those features are indeed for real and not just gimmicks), but now the explorer card looks even nicer
Anyone has any experience with that luxury hotel booking? Do you really get room upgrades?
@enharu wrote:
So the main differences between the club card and explorer are:
1. unlimited lounge vs. 2 visits per year
2. 50% more miles on club
3. priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding and baggage handling privileges.
4. hyatt platinum and avis
5. $100 statement credit for 1st purchase as opposed to 30/50k miles sign-up bonus
6. Club is metal and explorer is plastic? Or both of them are metal?
am i missing anything?
I was honestly tempted to get the club card for that hotel feature alone (if those features are indeed for real and not just gimmicks), but now the explorer card looks even nicer
Anyone has any experience with that luxury hotel booking? Do you really get room upgrades?
Club gets two free checked bags vs. one for Explorer
Club is metal with the number etched on the back, Explorer is plastic with embossed number on front.
Luxury hotel bookings are hit or miss with upgrades...they're not guaranteed.
Club used to be Avis President's Club, but it's now Avis First.
Club is a better deal especially if you get the first year fee waived and I've seen offers out there.
@visorboy1974 wrote:
@enharu wrote:
So the main differences between the club card and explorer are:
1. unlimited lounge vs. 2 visits per year
2. 50% more miles on club
3. priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding and baggage handling privileges.
4. hyatt platinum and avis
5. $100 statement credit for 1st purchase as opposed to 30/50k miles sign-up bonus
6. Club is metal and explorer is plastic? Or both of them are metal?
am i missing anything?
I was honestly tempted to get the club card for that hotel feature alone (if those features are indeed for real and not just gimmicks), but now the explorer card looks even nicer
Anyone has any experience with that luxury hotel booking? Do you really get room upgrades?
Club gets two free checked bags vs. one for Explorer
Club is metal with the number etched on the back, Explorer is plastic with embossed number on front.
Luxury hotel bookings are hit or miss with upgrades...they're not guaranteed.
Club used to be Avis President's Club, but it's now Avis First.
Club is a better deal especially if you get the first year fee waived and I've seen offers out there.
Explorer has the 10K points bonus after $25k spend.
Club waives the close-in award booking fees.
The waiving of close-in award booking fees for non-elites is actually a pretty big deal. United often releases Saver awards in the week or two before a flight's departure; being able to switch from steerage to First Class on an international flight for nearly the same amount of miles without paying a $100 fee is pretty nice.