The
United Quest℠ Card is a good credit card for people with
good credit who fly with United Airlines frequently. The
United Quest℠ Card is the best United credit card, according to WalletHub’s calculations, because it offers a big initial bonus, good ongoing rewards rates, and annual flight credits.
The
United Quest Card also has a high annual fee, so you need to use it regularly to continue getting your money’s worth. You’ll also need to pay your monthly bill in full to avoid expensive interest charges.
United Quest℠ Card Review Highlights
60,000 miles after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months
The
60,000 miles are worth up to
$684 in United airfare, according to WalletHub’s research. The Premier qualifying points contribute to elite status in the
United MileagePlus program, and you’d ordinarily have to charge $12,000 to the card in a year to get 500 points. Altogether, this is the most valuable bonus among United credit cards right now.
1 - 3 miles per $1 spent
The
United Quest Card offers
3 miles per $1 spent with United, 2 miles per $1 spent on travel, select streaming services and at restaurants, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. The key to maximizing the card’s value is to use it mainly for purchases in the categories that will earn bonus miles. You could use a card with 2% cash back on all purchases for everything else, or employ a collection of elite cards for different types of purchases.
The travel and dining bonus categories have fairly broad definitions, fortunately. Dining includes purchases from restaurants as well as eligible delivery services. Travel includes airfare, hotels, trains, local transit, tolls, cruise lines, car rentals, taxis, ride share services and more.
$125 United credit each year
Starting from when you open an account, you will receive credits for the first $125 in United purchases you make every 12 months. This benefit basically cuts the annual fee in half for loyal United customers.
The downside is that you won’t start earning miles on United purchases until you reach the $125 threshold each year.
$250 annual fee
The
United Quest Card isn’t the most expensive United credit card, but it’s also far from the cheapest. Still, even with the fee factored in, a frequent flyer is likely to save more money with this card than the others affiliated with United Airlines.
25% back on eligible United purchases
Food, drinks and Wi-Fi charged to the
United Quest Card during a United flight get you 25% back. The same rebate applies to premium drink purchases in United Club airport lounges, should you buy a pass or an annual membership. Complimentary United Club access is not among the
United Quest Card’s perks.
Other travel perks
The
United Quest Card gets you and a companion two free checked bags each on United flights, plus priority boarding. You’ll also have rental car insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Similarly, if you apply for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS, make sure to charge the application fee to the card because you’ll get a credit for the cost.
21.99% - 28.99% (V) APR
The
United Quest Card does not offer a low introductory APR. Its high regular rate will apply to any balance carried from month to month, so it’s best to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. Doing so enables you to take advantage of the card’s grace period and avoid interest charges.
700+ credit score recommended
You need
good credit to get the
United Quest℠ Card. A credit score of
700+ will give you good odds of being approved. You can
check your credit score for free here on WalletHub.
Note: This review is not provided, commissioned or endorsed by any issuer. Opinions and ratings are our own.