United Quest℠ Card at a Glance

• Our Score: 4.5/5 stars

• APR: 21.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

• Annual Fee: $250

• Sign UP Bonus: 60,000 United MileagePlus Miles (After spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, you’ll earn 60,000 bonus miles plus 500 Premier qualifying points. Dollar Equivalent: $840 based on United’s mile value of 0.014 cents per mile)

• Insight: The United Quest℠ Card stands out with its enticing offerings, especially catering to United loyalists who might find the airline’s premium credit card out of reach. While it does entail an annual fee, it strikes a balance for United enthusiasts seeking perks without committing to the higher price tag of the United Club Infinite Card.

The Perfectly Poised Option for United Enthusiasts

Airline credit cards often demand steep annual fees, typically exceeding $450 for premium benefits. However, the United Quest℠ Card breaks this norm, granting access to top-tier United Airlines perks at a more reasonable cost.

With an impressive sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles and 500 Premier qualifying points, this card outshines its competitors. For frequent flyers, the $250 annual fee proves worthwhile, given the plethora of benefits the card offers.

Among United’s lineup of credit cards issued through Chase, the United Quest Card emerges as a compelling option. If you crave significant benefits while flying United but don’t meet the criteria for the United Club Infinite Card, this card fits the bill perfectly.

Benefits:

• Various avenues to offset the annual fee, including a $125 United Airlines statement credit and anniversary flight credits

• Waived fees for your first and second checked bags, potentially saving up to $320 per roundtrip flight

• Reimbursement of up to $100 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fees every four years

Drawbacks:

• Does not include United Club passes

• Primarily suitable for frequent United flyers

Lucrative Joining Bonus

Experience the generous sign-up offer of the United Quest Card catered exclusively to new cardholders. Upon approval, seize the opportunity to accumulate 60,000 bonus miles alongside 500 Premier qualifying points upon spending $4,000 within the initial three months of activating your account.

Our meticulous points assessment signifies that each United MileagePlus mile holds an average value of 1.4 cents, thereby translating to an estimated value of approximately $840 from this enticing offer. However, your adeptness in redeeming rewards might elevate the value of each mile even further, promising enhanced benefits.

Rewards Structures

Elevating the benchmark for airline credit card rewards, the newly introduced United credit card redefines the landscape. Traditionally, airline-affiliated cards offer a mere mile on purchases with the respective airline, concluding the incentive.

Distinguishing itself, this card unveils a lucrative rewards structure, entitling you to 3x miles for every dollar spent on United purchases, 2x miles for expenditures at restaurants, select streaming services, and all other travel, and 1x mile for every dollar spent on miscellaneous purchases.

Given the inherent value of United miles surpassing a cent each, these competitive reward rates stand resilient against prevailing market offerings.

Benefits and Advantages

When considering the United Quest Card, a credit card with a significant annual fee, it’s crucial to assess the perks it offers to determine if it aligns with your lifestyle and travel habits. Primarily tailored for frequent travelers, here’s an overview of the advantages awaiting cardholders:

1. Annual United Purchase Credit: Enjoy a $125 credit annually when you make purchases with United Airlines.

2. Award Flight Bonuses: Receive up to 10,000 miles back when booking award flights, adding extra value to your travel experiences.

3. Checked Bag Benefits: Enjoy the convenience of the first and second checked bags free for both you and a traveling companion, lightening the load on your travel expenses.

4. Priority Boarding and Premier Upgrades: Access priority boarding and premier upgrades on award tickets, enhancing your overall travel experience.

5. Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Application Fee Credit: Receive a credit every four years for your Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® application fee, valued at up to $100.

6. Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs): Earn up to 6,000 PQPs annually, contributing to your eligibility for Premier status, including Premier 1K, potentially elevating your travel benefits.

7. Inflight Purchases Discount: Enjoy a 25% discount on inflight purchases with United Airlines, covering expenses such as food, beverages, and WiFi.

8. No Blackout Dates: Experience the flexibility of booking travel with no blackout dates, offering freedom and convenience in your travel plans.

9. Exclusive Events: Gain access to exclusive events through United Card Events and United MileagePlus events, enhancing your travel experiences beyond the ordinary.

10. Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection Benefits: Unlock exclusive cardmember benefits when booking through the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, adding luxury and comfort to your travels.

By leveraging the annual United purchase credit and the bonuses on award flights, you can significantly offset the card’s annual fee. Furthermore, if you frequently travel with checked bags, the card’s complimentary checked bag benefits provide substantial savings compared to most airline cards, particularly for international flights.

Trip Protections Explained

Travel insurance can offer a profound sense of security, yet its cost can be prohibitive when bought directly from airlines or insurers. Thankfully, the United Quest Card extends a helping hand by providing complimentary trip protections:

1. Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: In cases of trip cancellation or curtailment due to covered reasons like illness or severe weather, you’re eligible for reimbursements of up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable fares.

2. Trip Delay Reimbursement: Should your mode of transportation be delayed for over 12 hours or necessitate an overnight stay, the United Quest Card covers you and your family for up to $500 per ticket towards unreimbursed meal and accommodation expenses charged to the card.

3. Baggage Delay Insurance: Experience a delay in receiving your luggage for more than six hours or overnight? Fear not, as you’ll be compensated for essential purchases like clothing and toiletries, with coverage of up to $100 per day for three consecutive days.

4. Lost Luggage Reimbursement: In the unfortunate event of your baggage being damaged or misplaced by the carrier, you’re entitled to reimbursement of up to $3,000 for the contents of your luggage.

5. Rental Car Insurance: While many travel credit cards offer rental car insurance, the primary coverage provided by this card is a rare gem. This implies that you need not initiate a claim with your personal insurance policy first, potentially avoiding hikes in your premiums.

Fees and Considerations

The United Quest Card imposes a $250 annual fee, which frequent United flyers may easily offset with their usage. Notably, it waives foreign transaction fees but may levy charges for late payments or returned payments.

In Conclusion

With its array of benefits, the United Quest Card appeals particularly to United devotees who fall short of justifying the cost of the airline’s premium credit card. However, it’s imperative to meticulously evaluate all the card’s offerings to ascertain its suitability based on your travel patterns.

Furthermore, exercising due diligence by exploring alternative airline and general travel cards is recommended to ensure you select the option that aligns best with your needs and preferences.