Underrated Benefits of the United Quest Card

New to market in 2021, the United Quest℠ Card offers a sweet spot in the United’s co-branded credit card lineup.

The United Quest℠ Card is one of several co-branded credit cards available from United and Chase that integrates perfectly with the United MileagePlus frequent traveler program. The card comes with a cluster of perks and benefits that United travelers will appreciate, some better known than others.

It comes with an annual fee of $250, but frequent flyers — and those who prefer to travel in style and comfort — will likely get their money’s worth. Here, we dig into the details of why you need a United Quest℠ Card by sharing a few of the card’s popular and lesser-known benefits.

The well-known benefits

There are plenty of reasons that make the United Quest℠ Card an appealing one right off the bat:

• Welcome bonus: Limited-time Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

• United credit: Enjoy a reimbursement of up to $125 in statement credits for United purchases charged to your United Quest℠ Card on every account anniversary.

• Free checked bags: You and one companion traveling on the same reservation can each enjoy a first and second checked bag free on United-operated flights when you purchase tickets with your card.

• Extra mile credits: After your first cardmember anniversary, get 5,000 miles back in your MileagePlus account after you book and take a United award flight twice annually (10,000 bonus miles total).

The underrated benefits

But those aren’t all the perks that come with carrying a United Quest℠ Card. These less-publicized reasons are just as compelling.

Strong rewards earnings

Earn 3x miles on United purchases, 2x miles at restaurants, select streaming services and other travel, and 1x miles on everything else. If you’re a loyal United flyer, these earning bonuses are one of the top reasons to get a United Quest℠ Card.

Earn Premier Qualifying Points on purchases

Don’t just earn PQP by flying; earn with your spending, too. Collect 25 PQP for every $500 in purchases you make in a calendar year, up to 6,000 PQP. With 6,000 PQP, you’ll get United MileagePlus Premier Silver status and be on your way to earning Gold status.

That means you could reach status much faster than through travel alone.

» Learn more: Guide to United Airlines’ premier elite status

Reward seat upgrades

If you’re traveling on an award ticket, are a cardholder and a Mileage Plus Premier member, enjoy complimentary Premier upgrades on United-operated flights when they’re available. This is available to cardholders only, however, not traveling companions or authorized users.

25% back on inflight purchases

Save on snacks on every flight by getting 25% back on in-flight purchases as a statement credit. This includes food, beverages and Wi-Fi on United flights. Just pay with your card.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit

By paying for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee with the United Quest℠ Card, you’ll receive a statement credit of up to $120 as reimbursement every four years. Both certifications are incredibly useful for speeding through security at the airport.

» Learn more: TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which is right for you?

Perks at Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection properties

Sign up for the United Quest℠ Card and get instant access to room upgrades when available, early check-in and late checkout if available, complimentary daily breakfast for two, and other amenities depending on the property at more than 1,000 Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection properties worldwide. That means you can relax in style once you reach your destination. Just book through the collection's website.

» Learn more: The guide to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection

Travel protection and coverage

A slew of travel coverage and purchase protection accompanies the United Quest℠ Card. For starters, you can get reimbursed up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for any prepaid, nonrefundable tickets and fares if you have to cancel your trip or the length is reduced because of severe weather, illness and more.

Likewise, if your flight (or other form of transportation) is delayed longer than 12 hours or you have to book an overnight stay because of a delay, you are covered for expenses (up to $500 per ticket purchased), including meals and lodging, as long as you paid for your travel with your card.

You’ll also get reimbursed (up to $100 a day for three days) for essentials like clothing and toiletries if your baggage is delayed longer than six hours. If your luggage is damaged or lost in transit, your stuff is covered up to $3,000 per passenger.

Renting a car? Don’t pay extra for the rental company’s collision insurance. Instead, as long as you paid for the entire rental with your United Quest℠ Card, theft and collision damage is covered and you’ll be reimbursed up to the cash value of the vehicle. That goes for most rentals abroad and in the U.S.

» Learn more: Should you purchase travel insurance for the first time this year?

Complimentary DashPass membership

The United Quest℠ Card now offers one-year complimentary DashPass membership, getting you unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees from certain restaurants through DoorDash and Caviar. You must activate your membership by Dec. 31, 2024, to take advantage of this benefit. Note that you'll be automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate once the free year expires.

Final thoughts on the benefits of the United Quest℠ Card

The United Quest℠ Card offers more than a juicy sign-up bonus, free checked bags, statement credits when booking United flights and miles back in your account with every award booking. A host of other perks and benefits, like travel protection, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits, access to discounts and upgrades, and the ability to earn PQP by spending instead of simply flying make it an alluring mid-tier card for those who fly regularly on United.