For those who fly United Airways usually, the United Quest℠ Card (see charges and charges) is usually a highly effective option to earn extra miles and scale back your out-of-pocket journey prices.
As somebody who continuously chooses United for flights, I’ve discovered the cardboard hits a sensible center floor: It gives significant airline perks — like a $200 annual United TravelBank credit score, two free checked baggage and elevated incomes charges on United purchases — with out having to place within the time and spending required to earn elite standing.
The important thing query is whether or not you fly United typically sufficient (and might use these perks strategically sufficient) to justify the cardboard’s $350 annual charge.
Here is a better take a look at who the United Quest Card is greatest for and who ought to contemplate an alternative choice.
Associated: I simply modified my airline loyalty — here is how the United Quest Card sealed the swap
Who the United Quest Card is greatest for
There’s lots to like in regards to the United Quest Card. Here is who will profit most from having the cardboard.
Semifrequent United flyers
For those who fly United a number of occasions per 12 months, the United Quest Card begins to make plenty of sense.
That is as a result of most of the card’s most useful perks are tied on to flying United. Cardholders obtain:
25% again on United inflight purchases as a press release credit score (together with Wi-Fi, meals and drinks)Precedence boarding on United flightsUp to twenty,000 miles in award flight reductions annuallyStrong journey protections
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One of many strongest perks of the cardboard is its incomes construction. At present, the United Quest earns a robust 3 miles per greenback spent on United purchases along with the a minimum of 5 miles per greenback spent you earn as a United MileagePlus member — that is a whopping 8% return, in keeping with TPG’s February 2026 valuations.
United just lately introduced modifications to its incomes charges. For tickets bought on or after April 2, the Quest Card will earn 4 miles per greenback spent on United purchases, and cardholders will earn 6 miles per greenback spent on United flights as MileagePlus members — for a complete of 10 miles per greenback spent.
The upside is even larger for vacationers with elite standing. Incomes charges enhance for cardholders throughout each Premier tier. For instance, I at the moment maintain Premier Silver standing; as a Quest Card holder, I will earn 12 miles per greenback spent on United flights, which is a considerable return on paid journey.
If United is the airline you naturally e book anyway, this card rewards you for doing what you are already doing.
Associated: United unveils big MileagePlus shake-up, rewarding cardholders with increased earn charges
Vacationers who verify 2 baggage
This is among the most underrated — and doubtlessly most useful — perks of the United Quest Card.
The cardboard consists of two free checked baggage for you and a companion on the identical reservation. On home financial system flights, United sometimes prices $40 ($35 if pay as you go) for the primary checked bag and $50 ($45 if pay as you go) for the second bag.
Which means you can pay as much as $90 per individual every approach in case you verify two baggage with no card profit.
For those who and a companion every verify two baggage round-trip on only one home flight, that might price as much as $360 complete. That alone covers the Quest Card’s $350 annual charge.
Personally, I continuously fly United and usually verify two baggage free because of my Quest Card. For vacationers who do not pack mild, take longer journeys or often journey with bulkier gadgets like skis or golf golf equipment, this profit alone can justify holding the cardboard 12 months after 12 months.
Associated: These 27 bank cards can get you free checked baggage in your subsequent flight
Vacationers who can maximize the $200 TravelBank credit score
Every account anniversary, the Quest Card supplies $200 in United TravelBank money. This credit score can be utilized towards United-operated flights and is robotically deposited into your TravelBank account.
There are many sensible methods to make use of it:
Offset the price of a brief home flightCover a part of a round-trip ticket for a weekend getawayReduce the out-of-pocket price of a positioning flightHelp pay for a last-minute ticket when costs spike
Whereas I have not redeemed this 12 months’s credit score but, I’ve already earmarked it for an upcoming home journey from San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) to Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD) close to Washington, D.C., to go to my household this spring, which can assist offset what’s typically an costly cross-country flight.
Even in case you solely e book one or two United flights per 12 months, it is sometimes straightforward to make use of this credit score organically. While you subtract the $200 TravelBank credit score from the $350 annual charge, your efficient price of holding the cardboard drops to $150 — earlier than factoring in free checked baggage, award flight reductions and different advantages.
For those who already fly United, it is one of many best credit to completely use.
Flyers who need extra perks than the Explorer gives
The United Quest Card is a robust step up from the United℠ Explorer Card (see charges and charges) — particularly for vacationers who fly United greater than a couple of times per 12 months.
The Explorer is a good entry-level possibility, with a $0 introductory annual charge for the primary 12 months (then $150) and helpful perks like a free checked bag and two one-time United Membership passes annually. For infrequent United flyers, that could be all you want.
However in case you’re reserving a number of United flights yearly and verify baggage or redeem miles, the Quest’s incremental perks can rapidly outweigh the distinction in annual charges and ship stronger long-term worth.
In brief, the Explorer suits the occasional flyer. The Quest is designed for frequent United vacationers who can maximize its recurring worth.
Who ought to skip the United Quest Card
Whereas the United Quest Card is filled with advantages for United followers and frequent vacationers, there are a couple of the reason why the cardboard may not be the suitable match. Let’s take a deeper take a look at who the cardboard is not the suitable match for.
Vacationers who need United Membership entry
Whereas the United Quest Card has many travel-related advantages, it doesn’t include any lounge privileges, and you aren’t getting any visitor passes.
If lounge entry is a precedence, the United Membership℠ Card (see charges and charges) could also be a greater match. It features a United Membership membership as a part of its annual charge, which grants entry for the first cardholder and eligible visitors.
And for many who do not wish to pay the United Membership’s steep $695 annual charge, do not forget that the United Explorer gives two visitor passes yearly for a way more approachable charge ($0 introductory; $150 after the primary 12 months).
That stated, not everybody wants airline-specific lounge entry. For instance, I personally get lounge entry by way of the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card, so I do not want the Quest Card to offer that profit. Whereas the variety of Capital One lounges is proscribed, the Enterprise X additionally features a Precedence Move lounge membership (at collaborating lounges), giving entry to over 1,300 airport lounges, so I hardly ever really feel quick on choices.
For those who additionally have already got lounge entry by way of one other premium journey card, the shortage of United Membership entry right here might not matter.
Associated: Is the United Membership Card annual charge price it?
These over Chase’s 5/24 rule
The United Quest Card is topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule. For those who’ve opened 5 or extra private bank cards throughout all issuers up to now 24 months, you are unlikely to be accredited.
For those who’re at the moment over 5/24, it’s possible you’ll want to attend — or contemplate a card from one other issuer.
Associated: Chase’s 5/24 rule: All the things you have to know
Vacationers preferring incomes versatile factors
The United Quest Card earns United MileagePlus miles. For those who do not usually fly United — otherwise you favor extra flexibility in the way you redeem your rewards — a transferable factors or miles card could possibly be a greater possibility.
Versatile factors and miles can sometimes be transferred to a number of airline and lodge companions or redeemed in different methods, providing you with extra choices.
Two robust options with considerably decrease annual charges embody:
For those who worth flexibility over airline-specific perks, a kind of playing cards could also be a greater long-term match.
Backside line
For those who fly United a number of occasions per 12 months, verify baggage usually and might simply use the $200 annual TravelBank credit score, the United Quest Card’s ongoing perks can rapidly offset a lot of its $350 annual charge.
Nevertheless, in case you prioritize lounge entry, favor versatile factors or miles over airline-specific miles or solely fly United often, one other card — both inside United’s lineup or outdoors of it — could also be a greater match.
Finally, the Quest Card shines for vacationers who’re loyal sufficient to United to profit from its airline perks however do not want the total premium therapy of a membership membership.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the United Quest Card.
Apply right here: United Quest Card
