Overview of the United Quest Card
The United Quest℠ Card is an outstanding option for regular United Airlines travelers, offering perks such as complimentary checked bags, priority boarding, and discounts on inflight purchases. This card is ideal for those who frequently fly with United and can effectively leverage its benefits. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*The card rating reflects Flying Frugal’s editorial team’s perspective and is unaffected by the card issuer.
The United Quest Card serves as the optimal “middle-ground” option for dedicated United flyers. It provides more advantages than the United℠ Explorer Card while having a lower annual fee compared to the premium United Club℠ Card.
Recently, the card has been revamped, introducing several new benefits, adjusting some existing perks, and increasing the annual fee to $350. While this change might seem daunting, the new credits offered can easily mitigate this fee, provided you make full use of them throughout the year.
A credit score of at least 670 is typically suggested for the United Quest Card, although approval may be possible with a lower score.
Here’s what you need to know about the United Quest Card to determine whether it’s a good fit for your needs.
Pros and Cons of the United Quest Card
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Welcome Offer for the United Quest Card
New United Quest Card holders can earn 90,000 United MileagePlus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases within the first three months of opening the account.
As per Flying Frugal’s March 2025 evaluations, these United miles are valued at 1.35 cents each, totaling an impressive $1,215 in value for this offer.
This is the most generous offer we’ve observed for this card in over three years.
Be aware that this offer is not available to existing or previous cardholders who have received a new bonus in the past 24 months, and Chase’s 5/24 rule is applicable.
Related: The ultimate guide to earning elite status with United cards
Benefits of the United Quest Card
The United Quest Card offers valuable benefits for frequent United Airlines travelers who may not need the premium access associated with the United Club Card.
Some of the primary advantages include:
TravelBank Cash
This card allows you to earn $200 in TravelBank cash each anniversary year. TravelBank serves as an online wallet for United flyers to manage flight credits among other things, which can be applied toward purchases with the airline.
This credit covers more than half of the card’s $350 annual fee.
Discount on Award Redemptions
After your first year as a cardholder, you will receive a one-time 10,000-mile discount. This discount is valued at approximately $135 as of March 2025 according to Flying Frugal.
A second 10,000-mile credit can also be obtained after spending $20,000 on the card in the same calendar year.
In addition to the aforementioned perks, United Quest cardholders also benefit from:
- Complimentary Checked Bags: First and second checked bags for both the cardholder and a companion traveling on the same reservation*
- Inflight Discount: 25% back on inflight purchases with United
- Hotel Credit: Up to a $150 annual statement credit on prepaid reservations booked with Renowned Hotels and Resorts each anniversary year
- JSX Credit: Up to $150 in annual statement credits for JSX flight bookings made each anniversary year
- PQP Boost: An annual 1,000-PQP boost will be added to your MileagePlus account between February and April, starting in 2026
- PQP Earnings: Earn up to 18,000 PQPs per calendar year (1 PQP for every $20 spent on qualifying purchases can be applied toward your Premier status qualification, up to the Premier 1K level; this earning threshold was doubled in the card’s recent updates)
- Priority Boarding
- Rental Car Credit: Up to $40 each for the first two Avis or Budget car rentals booked through United Cars per account anniversary year
- Instacart Credit: Enjoy a monthly credit of $10 and $5 as well as a complimentary three-month Instacart+ membership (valid until December 31, 2027)
- Ride-Hailing Credit: Up to $8 in monthly statement credits for ride-hailing services, with an additional bonus of $4 in December
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credit: Up to $120 every four years
- Travel and Purchase Protections
*You must purchase your ticket using the Quest Card to access the free checked bag benefit — this includes any taxes and fees paid when booking award tickets with miles.
Furthermore, if you spend $40,000 on the card in a single calendar year, you will earn two global Economy Plus seat upgrades.
The extensive list of credits spans various categories, including grocery delivery and rental cars, aiding in mitigating the increased annual fee of the United Quest Card.
Some benefits might be easier to take advantage of than others. For example, if you rarely rent cars from Avis or Budget or do not frequently fly JSX, those specific perks may be less beneficial. However, others like Instacart credits and hotel benefits could prove to be more valuable.
Overall, if you frequently travel with United, you’ll appreciate the credits and free checked baggage that this card offers. If you are aiming for United status, the additional PQPs can expedite your progress.
Related: Airline baggage fees: What it costs to check a bag with major U.S. airlines
Miles Earning with the United Quest Card
In addition to United purchases, the United Quest Card provides bonus miles across several categories. With this card, you can earn:
- 8 miles per dollar spent on United flights
- 5 miles per dollar on hotel stays booked through Renowned Hotels and Resorts
- 3 miles per dollar on other United purchases
- 2 miles per dollar on travel purchases
- 2 miles per dollar on dining and selected streaming services
- 1 mile per dollar on all other expenditures
The United Quest Card allows earning bonus miles for both travel and dining purchases, alongside United spending. However, you may find better earning potential in other travel cards within these categories.
Related: The best credit cards to use for United flights
Redeeming Miles with the United Quest Card
Your United MileagePlus miles can be redeemed for flight bookings with United as well as its partners, including Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines. Options include booking domestic United flights for as little as 5,000 miles and more extensive redemptions for business class travel to Asia on All Nippon Airways.
Utilizing United’s unique Excursionist Perk can significantly increase the value of your MileagePlus miles.
Miles can also be redeemed for non-flight rewards such as United Club memberships, inflight Wi-Fi, TSA PreCheck, car rentals, and hotel accommodations.
Additionally, miles can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy, though this option typically yields a lower value compared to using them for flight bookings.
For example, Andrea Rotondo, Flying Frugal’s director of content operations, recently redeemed 6,000 United miles for a one-way economy flight between Frankfurt and Vienna.
Low-cost mile redemptions are not just available for domestic flights; international destinations also offer exceptional deals. For instance, Rachel Craft, a points and miles writer at Flying Frugal, redeemed 88,000 United miles for a one-way business-class ticket to Antananarivo, Madagascar from Denver on Ethiopian Airlines, a journey that would cost $9,000 in cash.
Related: How to redeem miles with the United MileagePlus program
Competing Cards to the United Quest Card
If you’re looking for enhanced United perks or prefer a card with a lower annual fee, consider these alternatives:
- For United Club Access: The United Club Card offers even more benefits for United fans, with a higher annual fee of $695, but its United Club membership feature is valued at up to $750, making this cost justifiable. It also provides better earning rates on United purchases. For further information, check out our detailed review on the United Club Card.
- For More Flexible Rewards: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card includes similar bonus categories and enables you to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United or any other of Chase’s numerous transfer partners, while also featuring a lower annual fee of $95. Check our comprehensive review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred for more details.
- For United Benefits at a Lower Annual Fee: The United Explorer Card grants bonus miles for United purchases and complimentary checked bags for both the cardholder and a companion, with a more affordable $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, followed by a $150 fee afterward. Be sure to read our full review of the United Explorer Card for more information.
For more options, explore our comprehensive lists of the best airline and travel credit cards.
Related: United Quest vs. United Club: Is Bigger Better?
Is the United Quest Card Worth It?
The $350 annual fee may appear steep, but by effectively utilizing the $200 TravelBank cash and checking a standard bag on four one-way United flights annually, you can come out ahead.
Final Thoughts
The United Quest Card comes with a variety of benefits tailored for United travelers along with multiple travel perks to take advantage of each year. For those who regularly travel with United and are keen on maximizing these benefits, this card represents a solid choice.
However, it may not be the best selection for anyone seeking complimentary airport lounge access or more versatile rewards.
Apply here: United Quest Card
