Great Card If
- You are a United frequent flyer
- You book a couple of United award tickets each year
- You’re looking for a card that mirrors low-level elite status with United
Don’t Get If
- You hardly ever fly United
- You prefer a card that earns transferable rewards
- You want a card that offers airport lounge access
United Quest Card — Is It Worth It?
The United Quest card is a great choice for United frequent flyers, even if you just book a handful of United award tickets each year using the card’s anniversary award flight credits.
With it, you can really enhance your United flights, as the card mimics low-level elite status with United, offering perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, reward seat upgrades, and discounts on inflight purchases.
United Quest Card Top Benefits
United Quest Card Travel Benefits
The United Quest card comes loaded with benefits that United flyers will love and regularly take advantage of.
- $125 Annual United Credit — Purchase a United flight with your United Quest card and get $125 as a statement credit. This perk alone effectively lowers the card’s annual fee to $125.
- 5,000-Mile Anniversary Award Flight Credits — Up to 2 times each year, you’ll receive 5,000 miles back in your account after taking a United-operated award flight — saving you up to 10,000 miles each year.
- Free Checked Bags — You and 1 companion on the same reservation will each receive your first and second standard checked bag free when you pay for your flight with the United Quest card.
- Priority Boarding — You and any traveling companions will be able to board in Group 2, along with United Premier Silver and Star Alliance Silver members.
- 25% Back on United Inflight Purchases — Receive a statement credit when you use your United Quest card to purchase food, beverages, or Wi-Fi on board.
- Complimentary Premier Upgrades — When flying on a United-operated award ticket, you’ll be eligible for a space-available seat upgrade to the next cabin class.
- Expanded Award Availability — By holding a co-branded United card, you’ll have no restrictions or blackout dates on award flights.
- Up to 3,000 Premier Qualifying Points — You’ll earn 500 PQPs for every $12,000 you spend on the card to help you reach higher levels of United elite status.
United Quest Card Travel and Purchase Protections
The United Quest card also helps keep you covered when things don’t go as planned by offering a solid list of travel and purchase protections.
- Trip Delay Coverage — If your flight is delayed by more than 12 hours, or overnight, you’ll be reimbursed up to $500 towards necessary expenses such as lodging and meals.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance — If you have to cut your trip short or cancel due to covered situations including severe weather, you’re covered up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip towards non-refundable expenses.
- Lost or Delayed Baggage Insurance — If your baggage is delayed by more than 6 hours, you’ll be covered up to $100 per day for 3 days towards essentials. You’re also covered for up to $3,000 towards luggage that is lost or damaged by the carrier.
- Rental Car Insurance — Receive primary rental car insurance that covers theft and collision damage to your rental vehicle and kicks in prior to your personal auto insurance.
- Purchase Protection — Purchases made with the card are covered for up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year in case of theft or accidental damage up to 120 days from the purchase date.
- Extended Warranty Coverage — Products purchased with your card that have extended warranties of 3 years or less will be extended by 1 additional year.
How To Earn and Redeem Your United Miles
The United Quest card includes quite a few bonus categories to help you earn more miles, but using your card isn’t your only option. You could also add a Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards, shop through the United shopping portal, and many more options that we cover in our best ways to earn lots of United miles.
Before you know it, you’ll have a big balance of miles to redeem. Then comes the question, how should you spend them? To help answer that, you can get some inspiration from our guide to the best ways to redeem your United miles.
Alternative Cards to the United Quest Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
If you prefer a card with a lower annual fee that earns flexible rewards, then the Chase Sapphire Preferred card would be a great option. It offers multiple bonus categories, access to transfer partners (including United), and excellent travel protections.
The card also includes perks such as a 3-month DoorDash DashPass subscription, multiple travel insurance coverages, and access to all of the Chase travel transfer partners.
United℠ Explorer Card
For those who want a United co-branded credit card, but feel the annual fee on the United Quest card is too steep, the United Explorer card is a great alternative.
Plus, you’ll get perks including 2 United Club passes each year, free checked bags, priority boarding, 25% back on United inflight purchases, and expanded United award availability.