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 sweet spot.
This mid-tier product sits between the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees), with a $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 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations, the bonus points are worth $1,300 (not including the PQPs). This is the best ever offer we’ve seen on this card, thanks to the generous amount of bonus PQPs.
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 10,000-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
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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 two 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 travel protections — are also found on both the United Club and Explorer.
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 for being a MileagePlus member and 3 for being a Quest cardholder)
- 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 non-United travel
- 2 miles per dollar spent on dining and 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 semi-frequently
There are key differences among the United Explorer, Quest and 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 Explorer Card’s only tangible advantage 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. 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
If you want access to United Club lounges, the Quest is likely not a good fit for you. It does not come with any lounge privileges, and you don’t get any guest passes.
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 at 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. Plus, the excellent limited-time welcome offer makes this card even more enticing.
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