Who should (and shouldn’t) get the United Quest Card?

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.  

United Airlines has a solid credit card lineup consisting of four personal cards, with the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) finding itself in a bit of a sweet spot.

This mid-tier product sits between the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees), with an $0 introductory annual fee for the first year and then a $150 annual fee, and the United Club℠ Card, with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees).

The Quest Card features a $350 annual fee and many perks for semifrequent United flyers.

Beyond the initial welcome bonus, let’s dig a little deeper to see who should — and who shouldn’t — get the United Quest Card.

Key benefits

New applicants can earn 90,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This offer ends May 7. Based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations, the bonus points are worth $1,215.

While the welcome offer may be enough reason to get you on board, the United Quest Card also has other perks that will likely make you want to hold on to it for the long run, including:

• $200 credit: After account opening and each anniversary year, cardholders will receive $200 in United TravelBank cash that will help offset the $350 annual fee.
• Up to 20,000 miles in award flight discounts: Automatically get a 10,00-mile discount each cardholder anniversary (beginning with your first anniversary). You can then earn another 10,000-mile discount after spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
• Checked bag benefit: Two free checked bags for the cardholder and a companion on the reservation.
• Boarding and upgrade privileges: Priority boarding and complimentary space-available upgrades when flying on award tickets, if you have United elite status.

• Hotel credit: Up to $150 in credits for Renowned Hotels and Resorts.
• Airline credit: up to $150 in JSX credits.
• Rental car credit: Up to $40 each in United TravelBank cash for the first two Avis or Budget car rentals booked through United Cars each account anniversary year.
• Ride-hailing credit: Up to $8 in monthly statement credits for ride-hailing services, plus a bonus of $4 (for a total of $12) in December.
• Seat upgrades: Earn two global Economy Plus upgrades after spending $40,000 on purchases each calendar year on your card.
• Up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years.
• 25% back on United inflight purchases (includes Wi-Fi, food and beverages).
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement.
• Purchase protection.

The $200 in TravelBank cash is a great card benefit that helps cover most of the Quest’s $350 annual fee. Meanwhile, the card offers the first and second checked bags free, a benefit that is also found on the more expensive $695-per-year United Club Card.

The other perks — such as 25% back on United inflight purchases, no foreign transaction fees, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and trip protection — are also found on both the United Club Card and United Explorer Card.

Bonus category earning rates

The United Quest Card has a fairly broad array of bonus categories. You’ll earn:

• 8 miles per dollar spent on United flights
• 5 miles per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Renowned Hotels and Resorts
• 3 miles per dollar spent on United purchases
• 2 miles per dollar spent on all travel
• 2 miles per dollar spent on dining
• 2 miles per dollar spent on select streaming
• 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases

Who should get the United Quest Card?

If you’ve decided you want a United card, let’s narrow down why the United Quest Card might be the best fit for you.

You fly United semifrequently

There are key differences among the United Explorer, United Quest and United Club cards.

In simpler terms, the Explorer card fits the “occasional United flyer” once or twice per year mold, Quest cardholders fit the “semifrequent United flyer” category and most Club cardholders are “frequent United flyers” who enjoy lounge access.

Taking a deeper dive into the benefits, however, shows that the Quest Card is (mostly) a superior card to the Explorer Card — though you will need to fly United a handful of times per year to really make the card worth it.

The only tangible advantage that the Explorer Card offers is two one-time United Club passes (that the primary or authorized cardholder must be present to redeem) annually and, of course, a lower $150 annual fee (that doesn’t apply during your first cardholder year).

But for semifrequent United flyers, you can easily offset the Quest Card’s $350 annual fee. First, the $200 in TravelBank cash should be easy to use and cover a large portion of the annual fee.

Finally, if you are a heavy packer — and ever plan to check two bags — the Quest Card should be on your list.

Who shouldn’t get the United Quest Card?

You want United Club lounge access

The United Quest Card does not come with any lounge privileges, and you don’t get any guest passes.

If you want access to United Club lounges, the Quest is likely not a good fit for you.

Instead, consider the United Club Card. The perennial perk of the Club Card is a United Club membership, which typically costs $750 per year for a general United MileagePlus member. Instead, you can pay $695 per year and get access to United Clubs for the primary cardholder and one adult companion and any children under the age of 18 for as long as you hold the card.

You’re over 5/24

In order to be approved for any Chase card subject to its 5/24 rule — including the United Quest Card — you cannot have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the last 24 months. If you’re over 5/24, consider a card from another issuer.

Related: What to do after you reach 5/24

You don’t value United miles

If you don’t personally consider United miles a valuable currency, then the United Quest Card probably doesn’t make sense for you. Instead, you can look into a transferable points card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), that offers more redemption flexibility.

Bottom line

For those who plan to fly United, the United Quest Card is a terrific, mid-tier option. The $200 United travel credit per year makes the $350 annual fee worth it, especially since it’s a unique perk that isn’t duplicated on the other United credit cards.

To learn more, read our full review of the United Quest Card.

Apply here: United Quest Card

Related: The best credit cards for flying United