Chase Sapphire Reserve vs United℠ Explorer℠ Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins all 5 spending profiles. On earn math alone, this comparison leans one way.
Fees and perks at a glance
Annual fees: Chase Sapphire Reserve $795/yr · United℠ Explorer℠ Card $150/yr. The $645 gap has to be earned back in credits or perks.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credits: DoorDash promo up to $35/mo · Lyft credit $10 · The Edit hotel credit $250/stay (up to $500/yr) and 7 more
United℠ Explorer℠ Card Credits: United Hotels credit $100/yr (2×$50) · Rideshare credit $60/yr ($5/month) · Avis/Budget TravelBank $50/yr (2×$25) and 2 more
Chase Sapphire Reserve Signup bonus: 100,000 UR points after $6,000 spend in 3 months
United℠ Explorer℠ Card Signup bonus: 70,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months (+10,000 with authorized user, up to 80,000)
Earn comparison by category
| Category | Chase Sapphire Reserve | United℠ Explorer℠ Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | 4.50%3x × 1.5¢ | 2.40%2x × 1.2¢ |
| Groceries | 1.50%1x × 1.5¢ | 1.20%1x × 1.2¢ |
| Gas / EV charging | 1.50%1x × 1.5¢ | 1.20%1x × 1.2¢ |
| Travel | 6.00%4x × 1.5¢ | 1.20%1x × 1.2¢ |
| Everything else | 1.50%1x × 1.5¢ | 1.20%1x × 1.2¢ |
| Flights via travel portals | 12.00%8x × 1.5¢ | 1.20%1x × 1.2¢ |
| Hotels via travel portals | 12.00%8x × 1.5¢ | 1.20%1x × 1.2¢ |
| United purchases | 1.50%1x × 1.5¢ | 3.60%3x × 1.2¢ |
Verdict by spending profile
| Category | Chase Sapphire Reserve | United℠ Explorer℠ Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dining-heavy | 4.50% | 2.40% |
| Grocery-heavy | 1.50% | 1.20% |
| Gas-heavy | 1.50% | 1.20% |
| Travel-heavy | 6.00% | 1.20% |
| Everyday spending | 1.50% | 1.20% |
How is this comparison computed?
Effective return = category earn rate × point value. Example: 4x × 2.0¢ = 8.00% back (estimate).
This page compares the two cards' catalog earn rates only. Signup bonus amounts change over time, so they are not in the table.
Every % here is an estimate: point values are catalog assumptions, and actual value depends on how you redeem.
This page compares two cards only. Inside DanHana, the same math re-ranks by the cards in your own wallet -- so your personal best may differ.
Frequently asked questions
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs United℠ Explorer℠ Card: which one is better?
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins all 5 spending profiles. On earn math alone, this comparison leans one way.
How do the annual fees compare?
Annual fees: Chase Sapphire Reserve $795/yr · United℠ Explorer℠ Card $150/yr. The $645 gap has to be earned back in credits or perks. Catalog credits: Chase Sapphire Reserve has 10, United℠ Explorer℠ Card has 5.
Where is the biggest gap?
Flights via travel portals is where Chase Sapphire Reserve leads by the most: 12.00% vs 1.20% (8x × 1.5¢ vs 1x × 1.2¢).
Are these returns guaranteed?
No -- every figure here is an estimate. Point values are catalog assumptions (e.g. Membership Rewards 2.0¢, Ultimate Rewards 1.5¢, cash back 1.0¢), and your actual value depends on how you redeem. Bonus rates can have annual caps, and issuers change terms -- check the card's official terms before applying.
Sources
- DanHana data & verification method
- What is DanHana?
- Smart recommendations
- Chase Sapphire Reserve official page
- United℠ Explorer℠ Card official page
Page updated: October 28, 2026