For frequent United Airlines flyers, the United Quest℠ Card offers a unique blend of travel perks and opportunities to earn miles, making it an appealing choice. The card provides benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounts on inflight purchases. For those looking to elevate their travel experience without paying the premium price tag associated with more exclusive airline cards, the United Quest Card strikes a balance with a competitive rewards structure and valuable perks. Here’s an in-depth look at what the United Quest Card has to offer and how it could fit into your travel plans.
Key Benefits of the United Quest Card
The United Quest Card is packed with perks that make traveling with United more convenient and enjoyable. Here are the standout benefits:
- Free Checked Bags: Cardholders and a companion can check their first and second bags for free, making this a valuable perk for those who travel with luggage.
- $125 Annual United Purchase Credit: This credit can be applied to United flights, offsetting the card’s $250 annual fee and making it more affordable.
- Anniversary Award Flight Credits: Earn up to two 5,000-mile credits each year, applicable on United or United Express flights booked with miles, adding further value.
- Priority Boarding: Enjoy early boarding on United and United Express flights, giving you extra time to settle in before takeoff.
- 25% Inflight Discount: Save on Wi-Fi, food, and beverages while flying with United, making your travel experience more budget-friendly.
These benefits create a comprehensive package for regular United flyers, offering savings and convenience every time you travel.
United Quest Card Welcome Offer
As of now, the United Quest Card offers an attractive sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points (PQPs) when you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account. With TPG’s October 2024 valuation of United miles at 1.3 cents each, this welcome offer equates to approximately $780 in value.
This bonus can be redeemed for a range of travel experiences, from domestic United flights to international trips with partner airlines. Keep in mind, however, that this offer is not available if you’ve received a new card bonus in the last 24 months, and it falls under Chase’s 5/24 rule, which limits card approvals based on recent credit card applications.
Travel Perks and Day-of-Travel Benefits
The United Quest Card includes several day-of-travel perks that make flying more comfortable:
- Two Free Checked Bags: Enjoy free checked baggage for yourself and a companion, which can save up to $320 per round trip.
- $100 Credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry: This credit covers your application fee, expediting your airport security experience.
- Up to 6,000 Premier Qualifying Points: Earn PQPs as you spend, helping you qualify for United’s Premier status faster.
- DashPass Membership: Activate a free year of DashPass by December 31, 2024, for unlimited deliveries with reduced service fees.
These benefits cater specifically to frequent travelers, adding value to the card beyond standard rewards and helping to simplify travel logistics.
Maximizing Miles on the United Quest Card
The United Quest Card offers competitive earning rates, particularly for United purchases:
- 8 Miles on United Flights: Earn 5 miles as a MileagePlus member, plus 3 miles for using your card on United flights.
- 4 Miles on Hotel Stays through United Hotels: Boost your earnings by booking through United’s travel portal.
- 3 Miles on Other United Purchases: After using the $125 United purchase credit, earn bonus miles on additional purchases.
- 2 Miles on Other Travel and Dining: Earn bonus miles on travel and dining purchases, broadening your rewards potential.
- 1 Mile on All Other Purchases: This standard rate keeps your rewards ticking on everyday expenses.
By leveraging these earning rates, cardholders can accumulate miles quickly, making the card an excellent choice for those who frequently fly United.
Redeeming United MileagePlus Miles
With your accumulated MileagePlus miles, you can book flights with United and its Star Alliance partners, like Lufthansa, ANA, and Air Canada. United’s unique Excursionist Perk lets you add a free one-way flight to your itinerary, maximizing value on multi-city trips.
Miles can also be used for:
- Hotel Stays and Car Rentals: Redeem points for accommodations and rental cars for added flexibility.
- Non-Travel Redemptions: Although less valuable, you can redeem miles for United Club memberships, inflight Wi-Fi, and TSA PreCheck.
To maximize the value of your miles, redeem them for flights, as they generally yield higher returns than non-flight options.
United Quest Card Alternatives
While the United Quest Card offers excellent value, it may not be the best fit for everyone. Here are three alternatives:
- United Club Infinite Card: If United Club access is a priority, consider this card for extensive lounge benefits and higher rewards.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Offers flexible travel rewards and points transfers to United, with a lower annual fee.
- United Explorer Card: Provides essential United benefits, including free checked bags, with a more affordable annual fee of $95, waived the first year.
These cards offer varied perks, catering to different travel preferences and budgets, so it’s worth considering them based on your specific needs.
Is the United Quest Card Worth It?
The United Quest Card can be a great choice for regular United flyers who want a balance of perks and value. With benefits like checked baggage, annual flight credits, and a robust rewards structure, this card can justify its $250 annual fee if you maximize its offerings. However, for travelers who don’t fly United frequently, other cards with more flexible rewards might offer better value.
