Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ vs United℠ Explorer
Side-by-side comparison
| Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ | United℠ Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $795 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | Up to 60,000 bonus miles | |
| Advertising | 1% | 1% |
| Shipping | 1% | 1% |
| Office supplies | 1% | 1% |
| Phone & internet | 1% | 1% |
| Travel | 4% | 1% |
| Everything else | 1% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $666 | $474 |
| Points type | Transfers to airlines & hotels | Locked to United MileagePlus |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of business spending, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ earns about $666 a year in rewards and the United℠ Explorer about $474, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ charges $795, but carries about $435 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The United℠ Explorer charges $150, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the United℠ Explorer delivers more total value, about $236 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it skips the annual fee the other charges. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the United℠ Explorer stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ if you will use travel transfers, the United℠ Explorer if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ if your spending leans toward travel.