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Who ought to (and should not) get the United Quest card?

United Airways has a strong bank card lineup consisting of 4 private playing cards, with the United Quest℠ Card (see charges and charges) discovering itself in a candy spot.

This mid-tier product sits between the United℠ Explorer Card (see charges and charges), with a $0 introductory annual charge for the primary yr after which a $150 annual charge, and the United Membership℠ Card, with a $695 annual charge (see charges and charges).

The Quest Card encompasses a $350 annual charge and lots of perks for semifrequent United flyers.

Past the preliminary welcome bonus, let’s dig a bit of deeper to see who ought to — and who should not — get the United Quest Card.

Key advantages

New candidates can earn 100,000 bonus miles and three,000 Premier qualifying factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Based mostly on TPG’s July 2025 valuations, the bonus factors are value $1,300 (not together with the PQPs). That is the most effective ever provide we have seen on this card, because of the beneficiant quantity of bonus PQPs.

Whereas the welcome provide could also be sufficient purpose to get you on board, the United Quest Card additionally has different perks that may seemingly make you need to maintain on to it for the long term, together with:

  • $200 credit score: After account opening and every anniversary yr, cardholders will obtain $200 in United TravelBank money that may assist offset the $350 annual charge.
  • As much as 20,000 miles in award flight reductions: Mechanically get a ten,000-mile low cost every cardholder anniversary (starting together with your first anniversary). You may then earn one other 10,000-mile low cost after spending $20,000 in a calendar yr.
  • Checked bag profit: Two free checked baggage for the cardholder and a companion on the reservation.
  • Boarding and improve privileges: Precedence boarding and complimentary space-available upgrades when flying on award tickets, when you have United elite standing.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
  • Resort credit score: As much as $150 in credit for Famend Lodges and Resorts
  • Airline credit score: As much as $150 in JSX credit
  • Rental automobile credit score: As much as $40 every in United TravelBank Money for the primary two Avis or Finances automobile leases booked by way of United Automobiles every account anniversary yr
  • Experience-hailing credit score: As much as $8 in month-to-month assertion credit for ride-hailing providers, plus a bonus of $4 (for a complete of $12) in December.
  • Seat upgrades: Earn two world Economic system Plus upgrades after spending $40,000 on purchases every calendar yr in your card
  • As much as a $120 credit score for International Entry or TSA PreCheck each 4 years
  • 25% again on United inflight purchases (consists of Wi-Fi, meals and drinks)
  • No overseas transaction charges
  • Journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage and journey delay reimbursement
  • Buy safety

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The $200 in TravelBank money is a superb card profit that helps cowl many of the Quest’s $350 annual charge. In the meantime, the cardboard affords two checked baggage free, a profit that can also be discovered on the dearer $695-per-year United Membership Card.

United planes on tarmac
GARY HERSHORN/GETTY IMAGES

The opposite perks — similar to 25% again on United inflight purchases, no overseas transaction charges, a International Entry or TSA PreCheck credit score and journey protections — are additionally discovered on each the United Membership and Explorer.

Bonus class incomes charges

The United Quest Card has a reasonably broad array of bonus classes. You will earn:

Who ought to get the United Quest Card?

When you’ve determined you need a United card, let’s slim down why the United Quest Card is perhaps the most effective match for you.

You fly United semi-frequently

There are key variations among the many United Explorer, Quest and Membership playing cards.

In easier phrases, the Explorer card suits the “occasional United flyer” a few times per yr mildew, Quest cardholders match the “semifrequent United flyer” class and most Membership cardholders are “frequent United flyers” who get pleasure from lounge entry.

Taking a deeper dive into the advantages, nonetheless, exhibits that the Quest Card is (largely) a superior card to the Explorer Card, although you’ll need to fly United a handful of instances per yr to actually make the cardboard value it.

United Premier Access check-in
ZACH HONIG/THE POINTS GUY

The Explorer Card’s solely tangible benefit is 2 one-time United Membership passes (that the first or approved cardholder should be current to redeem) yearly and, in fact, a decrease $150 annual charge (that does not apply throughout your first cardholder yr).

However for semifrequent United flyers, you possibly can simply offset the Quest Card’s $350 annual charge. The $200 in TravelBank money must be simple to make use of and canopy a big portion of the annual charge.

Lastly, in case you are a heavy packer — and ever plan to verify two baggage — the Quest Card must be in your listing.

Who should not get the United Quest Card?

You need United Membership lounge entry

In order for you entry to United Membership lounges, the Quest is probably going not a very good match for you. It doesn’t include any lounge privileges, and you do not get any visitor passes.

United Club LGA Terminal B
The United Membership at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). BRENDAN DORSEY /THE POINTS GUY

As a substitute, take into account the United Membership Card. The perennial perk of the Membership Card is a United Membership membership, which generally prices $750 per yr for a common United MileagePlus member. As a substitute, you possibly can pay $695 per yr and get entry to United Golf equipment for the first cardholder and one grownup companion and any youngsters underneath the age of 18 for so long as you maintain the cardboard.

You are over 5/24

As a way to be permitted for any Chase card topic to its 5/24 rule — together with the United Quest Card — you can not have opened 5 or extra private bank cards throughout all banks within the final 24 months. When you’re over 5/24, take into account a card from one other issuer.

Associated: What to do after you attain 5/24

You do not worth United miles

When you do not personally take into account United miles a helpful foreign money, then the United Quest Card in all probability does not make sense for you. As a substitute, you possibly can take a look at a transferable factors card, such because the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and charges), that provides extra redemption flexibility.

Backside line

For many who plan to fly United, the United Quest Card is a terrific, mid-tier choice. The $200 United journey credit score per yr makes the $350 annual charge value it, particularly since it is a distinctive perk that is not duplicated on the opposite United bank cards. Plus, the wonderful limited-time welcome provide makes this card much more engaging.

To study extra, learn our full evaluate of the United Quest Card.


Apply right here: United Quest Card


Associated: One of the best bank cards for flying United


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