3 Perks of My United Explorer Card That Make My Flight Feel More Like Business Class

For most of my life, I've lived near a United Airlines hub airport -- first San Francisco, and currently Chicago (yes, Milwaukee is only a 90-minute drive from the Windy City...I can smell the deep dish pizza from here). And for most of my adult life, I've kept a United℠ Explorer Card in my wallet since my local airports offer so many United flights. As a result, I've flown United a lot.

I'm not particularly committed to one airline over another; rather, I look for convenience, cost, and perks when booking a trip. That just so happens to be United a lot of the time for me, and I always book a flight with my United℠ Explorer Card to take advantage of any extra benefits on offer. Here are the perks that contribute most to a comfortable travel experience.

1. Free checked bag

By paying for my United flight with this airline credit card, I'm entitled to a free checked bag on my trip. This normally costs $35 each way, so I'm already ahead $70 before my trip even starts.

While I'm a pretty light packer and usually prefer to stick to a carry-on, it's nice having the luxury of a free checked bag for longer vacations or trips to cold climates that require a lot of bulky items. And it can feel like a treat to only have a small personal item to worry about as I scamper around the airport terminal and board the plane, rather than a roller bag to maneuver.

2. Priority boarding

Another perk about using this credit card is that I get to board the plane in the priority boarding group -- no matter what class of ticket I purchase. As a thrifty traveler, I often gravitate to the Basic Economy fares, which essentially get you from point A to point B as efficiently (read: unceremoniously) as possible.

But even if I book one of these rock-bottom fares, I still get to board the plane in the second boarding group. I almost never have to worry about whether there will be overhead bin space available, and I can kick back with my book in my seat a lot faster.

3. United Club passes

Once a year at my cardmember anniversary, I get an email from United telling me my one-time United Club passes are available. These passes normally cost $59 each, so receiving two in my inbox each year is the equivalent of $118.

I'm sure you'll be shocked to read this, but this thrifty traveler has never paid to get into an airport lounge. But I have greatly enjoyed the amenities in many United Clubs around the country over the years. There's nothing like walking into a semi-exclusive lounge full of free food, complimentary drinks, and no crowds to make you feel like you're traveling in style.

The only drawback is that not all lounges accept one-time passes at all times. I've been turned away in the past when a particular club is too busy or understaffed. But mostly, I've had good luck and a lot of relaxing hours in the United Clubs.

Business-class...adjacent

Alright, so I've never actually flown business class, so maybe I'm stretching the definition a little bit here. But I still think the benefits that come with using my United℠ Explorer Card are well worth the $95 annual fee, and definitely make for a more comfortable trip. And considering I usually enjoy all these perks on a bargain fare, I'd say it's a pretty considerable upgrade.

If you're looking to improve your experience in the air, take a look at our list of the best travel credit cards to see which ones offer perks that speak to you. You can even compare different credit cards if there are a few you're deciding between. And if you land on the United℠ Explorer Card, I'll save you a seat in the lounge.