Best in Class
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United Quest Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
If you already fly on United once or twice per year (or plan to in the next 12 months), the United Quest card is one of the two primary United Airlines cards you should consider. If you value checked bags as a major perk, this card offers two free bags each for the cardholder and one companion. A strong welcome bonus adds to its appeal, although it’s not dramatically different from other United credit card bonuses. The $200 annual United travel credit is a standout feature because it effectively reduces the $350 annual fee to $150.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The welcome bonus for the United Quest card is 70,000 (current special 80,000) miles plus 500 PQPs (Premier Qualifying Points). This is a solid starting point balance that can be redeemed for shorter domestic flights, international flights, or even business class. If United Club access is not a priority (or you don’t live near an airport with a United Club), but you still fly United annually, this card may serve you better than the United Explorer card. They have similar welcome bonuses, benefits, and annual fees, but the Quest card’s perks can make it more worthwhile for certain travelers.
As for travel benefits, you’ll receive the $200 annual United credits plus two free checked bags for the cardholder and one traveling companion (potentially worth $360 round trip). You also get a 10,000-mile anniversary discount for award flights. If you’re working toward status, cardholders receive 1,000 PQPs each year and 1 PQP for every $20 spent, up to 18,000 dollars annually.
The Quest card additionally offers several credits:
- $120 toward TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS every four years
- $100 annually on rideshares (broken into monthly $8 credits, with $12 in December)
- $40 (in United TravelBank Cash) to Avis or Budget twice per year
- One $10 and one $5 Instacart credit each month
- $150 each for prepaid hotel stays through Renowned Hotels and flights purchased through JSX
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Consider these exceptions where the United Quest card might not be right for you:
- You fly United more than a couple of times per year and would benefit more from the United Club Card.
- You place a higher value on United Club access than on a second checked bag. (The United Quest offers two checked bags but no club access, whereas the United Explorer offers one free checked bag plus two United Club passes annually.)
What to Know About United MileagePlus
United is a solid option for international flights, especially for business class.
- United has ample cards for collecting large sums of points.
- International business class seats can be found for as low as 60,000 points to South America and 80,000 to Europe.
- They’re a partner in our favorite rewards system, making top offs from Chase Ultimate Rewards both easy and a good value.
- United is also a decent option for domestic flights and standard international fares, but we generally use Southwest, American or Delta for those.
- We save our United points for those long international flights where business class is a difference maker.
How The United Quest Credit Card Fits In The United MileagePlus Ecosystem
United provides numerous co-branded cards. The Quest (70,000 (current special 80,000) bonus) and Explorer (60,000 bonus) cards have similar welcome offers. If you only fly United once or twice per year but want a United Airlines card, ask yourself which matters more: a second checked bag (available with Quest) or United Club access (two passes per year with Explorer). The Quest card’s credits are somewhat higher, but not so high as to make it the clear winner in every scenario. There’s also a no-fee United Gateway card, though most travelers will find the Quest or Explorer more useful. If you no longer want to pay an annual fee after your first year, you could downgrade to the Gateway card.
If you fly United three times or more per year, the United Club Card could be a better option. It offers United Club membership (worth $750 annually) plus two free checked bags, though its $695 annual fee is high. In return, it also has a 90,000-mile welcome bonus and many other perks that can justify the cost for frequent United flyers.
If you’re close to reaching Chase’s 5/24 limit, the United Business Card offers a 75,000-mile welcome bonus and a $150 annual fee. It provides several benefits, such as two United Club passes per year and one free checked bag. Meanwhile, the United Club Business Card is a bigger step up, with a $695 annual fee, a 80,000-mile welcome bonus, full United Club membership, and additional credits that may make the high annual fee worthwhile.
Card Information
Bonus Points
80,000
Minimum Spend
$4,000 / 3mo
Point Value
1.3 ¢
Annual Value
Annual Fee
$350
1st Year Value
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Differentiating Perks
Yearly $200 United TravelBank
Free Checked Bags (2) + 1 Guest
2X on Travel
2X on Restaurants
8X on United Flights
Rules
Card Extras
Extra
Worth/Fit
Est. Value
Total Annual Value
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Card Benefits
No benefits are available for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Average Frequency
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Estimated Next Offer
Start Date
Offer Length
Bonus
Minimum Spend
Spend Categories
6.5¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
3.9¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.6¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
1.3¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
United Quest Application Rules
If you've received a bonus from this card within the last 24 month, you are not eligible for another bonus.
Chase applications will be declined if 5 new cards have been added to your personal credit report in the past 24 months.
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Point Transfer Options
+7 Lower Value Transfers Show
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
Rank
6th
Honorable Mention
Rank
7th
Honorable Mention
Rank
6th
Honorable Mention
Rank
5th
Honorable Mention
Rank
5th
Honorable Mention
Ranking of Cards Offering United MileagePlus
Downgrade Options
United Explorer
United MileagePlus
United Gateway
United MileagePlus