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The card’s annual $125 United purchase credit makes up half of its annual fee, and thanks to two 5,000-mile Anniversary Award flight credits when you redeem them for flights on United or United Express, you can also save on award flight redemptions. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Card ratings are based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and are not influenced by the card issuer.

The United Quest Card is the perfect “in-between” card for frequent United travelers. It offers more benefits than the United℠ Explorer Card and a much lower annual fee than the Premium United Club℠ Infinity Card.

The recommended credit score for the United Quest card is at least 670. However, it is possible to get approved with a lower score.

Here’s what you need to know to decide if the United Quest card is right for you.

Advantages and Disadvantages of United Quest Card

According to TPG’s October 2024 valuation, United miles are worth 1.3 cents, making the offer worth $780. There’s a fairly standard offer on this card, and if you’re not in a rush to open a cobranded United card, you can wait until a better offer comes along.

Note that this offer is not available to current or previous cardmembers who received a new bonus within the last 24 months and Chase’s 5/24 rule applies.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Earning Elite Status with United Cards

United Quest Card Benefits

First, you’ll get a $125 annual purchase credit that you can use toward United flights. This credit is automatically applied as a statement credit when United purchases are charged to your card.

Additionally, the card comes with two 5,000-mile flight credits per year as a reward for redeeming miles, starting on your first cardmember anniversary. These 5,000-mile credits will be placed in your MileagePlus account when you book a United or United Express-operated award flight with your miles twice per year.

Through October 2024, TPG values ​​these 5,000-mile award flight credits at about $65 each.

On top of those benefits, United Quest cardholders enjoy:

• Two free checked bags for cardholder and two free checked bags for companion on reservation
• $100 credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application
• 25% back on United inflight purchases (includes Wi-Fi, food and beverages)
• Priority boarding
• Travel and shopping security
• 6,000 Premier Qualifying Points per calendar year (up to 25 Premier 1K levels for every $500 you spend on purchases, can be applied towards your Premier status qualification)
• One year free DashPass membership (activate by December 31, 2024)

Just note that you must use your Quest card to pay for your ticket to check your bag for free — and this includes award tickets booked with miles when you pay for taxes and fees with your card.

If you fly United regularly, you’ll especially appreciate the credits and free checked bags this card offers. And if you’re chasing United status, the extra PQP this card earns will fast-track your progress.

Related: How to Avoid Checked Baggage Fees on Major Domestic Airlines

Earn miles on the United Quest card

• 8 miles on United flights (5 miles as a MileagePlus member, plus 3 miles with the United Quest card)
• 4 miles booked for hotel stays through United Hotels (2 miles earned as a MileagePlus member, plus 2 miles earned from the United Quest card)
• 3 miles per dollar on all other United purchases (after earning your $125 annual United purchase credit, conditions apply)
• 2 miles per dollar on other travel purchases
• 2 miles per dollar on dining and select streaming purchases
• 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases

It’s great that the United Quest Card earns bonus miles on general travel and dining purchases, as well as on United spend. However, you’ll find similar or better earnings for these categories on other travel cards.

Related: Best Credit Cards to Use for United Flights

Redeeming Miles on a United Quest Card

And if you can use United’s unique travel perk, you’ll get even more value from your MileagePlus miles.

You can also redeem your miles for non-flight items, including United Club memberships, inflight Wi-Fi purchases, TSA PreCheck, car rentals and hotel stays.

Additionally, you can transfer your miles to Marriott Bonvoy, but if you use them to book flights, you’ll get less value from your miles with any of these options.

Director of Content Operations Andrea Rotondo recently redeemed 6,000 United miles for a one-way economy flight between Frankfurt and Vienna. Low-cost mile redemptions aren’t limited to domestic flights; You can also secure amazing deals on international tours.

Related: How to redeem miles with the United MileagePlus program

Which cards compete with United Quest cards?

For additional options, check out our full list of the best airline credit cards and the best travel credit cards.

Related: United Quest Vs. United Club Anant

Is the United Quest Card worth it?

The $250 annual fee may seem steep, but if you can maximize the $125 United credit, complimentary checked baggage and other perks, you’ll have an easy time justifying the annual fee. However, if you don’t travel to United regularly enough to take advantage of these benefits, you’re unlikely to get enough value from this card to make it worth paying the annual fee.

Apply at: United Quest Card

Related: United Launches New International Service to Caribbean Destinations