CSP or Chase United Mileage Explorer?

[Anonymous]

People traveling a few times a year can't justify a premium card. AmEx doesn't transfer to United so I don't know why you'd even consider it. 11k miles is not a lot, it's not even enough for a one way domestic flight.

Flights are always on sale to somewhere. Sub 600 to Europe and Asia happen all the time, so why even spend 60k miles plus taxes on an economy fare? If you fly business then maybe you could think about it.

Get a two percent cashback card and use the cash to buy the tickets you want.

[Anonymous]

All great points. AA, like you mentioned, is rarely ever available here. I wish they had more of a presence here though!

Amex is in the running because of other perks/benefits. $100 airline credit that I can use on United, primary insurance, premium roadside assistance etc..

[kdm31091]

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@Anonymous wrote:
People traveling a few times a year can't justify a premium card. AmEx doesn't transfer to United so I don't know why you'd even consider it. 11k miles is not a lot, it's not even enough for a one way domestic flight.

Flights are always on sale to somewhere. Sub 600 to Europe and Asia happen all the time, so why even spend 60k miles plus taxes on an economy fare? If you fly business then maybe you could think about it.

Get a two percent cashback card and use the cash to buy the tickets you want.

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Agree. OP, you should stick with cash back

[Sharingan]

The United Mileage Explorer card has the option of a $0 AF version (silver/grey design) to preserve miles on top of the sign up bonus and United benefits in the first year. That is the route I took with my Explorer card as I don't fly United as much anymore. The CSR even encouraged using the card at least once every six months to add points and extended the expiration date during the call to downgrade, although the card also lost Visa Signature benefits as well (/shrug). There is no guarantee that the free version will be available 12 months from now though.

While the CSP may be the better card for many, none of those people are going to pay the AF for you when it comes due, and I'm not so sure it's going to be all that valuable to someone who travels "probably twice a year." Additionally, you will lose the ability to transfer points to extend the life of your United miles if you were to decide not to keep the CSP after the first year.

[Anonymous]

I have never seen the $0 AF version anywhere..

[Sharingan]

I have one, so it definitely exists.

Edit: Doctor of Credit actually has a short article on it from January of this year which provides a few details on the card. 

[Anonymous]

If all you need is to keep miles alive, download mileage plus x, buy a tiny giftcard (do they allow one dollar purchases? Otherwise 5 should definitely work), miles post to United instantly

[baller4life]

OP thanks for this thread. I have United Explorer and was undecided whether I should keep it or not once I get CSP.

[Anonymous]

11k miles isn't a lot? It cost me 12,500 for a one way flight on AA to Los Angeles a few months ago. Sure that's not a lot but I got use out of them. You don't need to be some crazy traveler to get use out of airlines/hotel cards. I only take two trips a year, 3 if I'm lucky but my spend through my cards is enough to get a lot of free stuff. OP, you do what'd best for you.

[Anonymous]

^ So you're saying GET the United Explorer card?