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Is the United Quest Card Worth Its Annual Fee?
This United card can be worth it if you fly with United at least once a year.
After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure. She previously worked as a reporter for The Points Guy. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. When she's not flying, you'll usually find her in a Priority Pass lounge somewhere, sipping tea and cursing slow Wi-Fi.
June is a freelance writer and the author of “The Joy of Syntax" and “The Best Punctuation Book, Period.” A former staff writer, reporter and editor for the community news division of the Los Angeles Times, she also writes the weekly syndicated “A Word, Please” column that runs in newspapers in five states.
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If you fly United Airlines, a new credit card could make your travels more rewarding.
The United Quest℠ Cardhas a unique roster of benefits that make it a compelling new option among United credit cards. But is it worth the $350 annual fee? A look at the card’s benefits reveals who should get the United Quest℠ Card and will help you decide whether it’s a good choice for you.
Perks of the United Quest℠ Card
The United Quest℠ Card is part of Chase and United’s co-branded card lineup, which now offers four consumer card options. Those range from the ultra-high-end United Club℠ Card, whose $695 annual fee includes a United Club membership, to the $0-annual-fee United Gateway℠ Card.
The United Quest℠ Card lands in the middle of United’s card offerings. Among the reasons to get a United Quest℠ Card: It comes with a hefty welcome bonus. Earn up to 100,000 United MileagePlus bonus miles and 3,000 PQP after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases in the first 3 months of opening an account (90K + 10K more miles with an authorized user).
Cardholders earn:
4 miles per dollar spent on United purchases. Plus, an additional 3 miles per dollar on United airfare just for holding the card.
2 miles on travel, dining and select streaming service purchases.
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The United Quest℠ Card annual fee is worth it if you …
Fly with United at least once a year
The United Quest℠ Card comes with $200 in United TravelBank cash after account opening and annually on your account anniversary, for a future United- or United Express-operated flight.
Cardholders also get two free checked bags for themselves and two free bags for one companion on each trip, which can equal a huge savings if you — like many of us — can’t decide which shoes go with which outfit each day of your trip.
These two perks together could make the card worthwhile by offsetting part or all of the annual fee.
Plus, you'll also earn 3 more miles per $1 on United airfare (excluding taxes and fees). These extra miles are a bonus just for holding the card; you don't need to purchase your flights with the card to receive them.
Book United award tickets
Each year after your first cardmember anniversary, the United Quest℠ Card comes with a 10,000-mile award flight discount. If you spend $20,000 in a year on the card, you can earn another discount.
Combine that with the fact that cardholders get at least 10% off on United flights booked with miles (or 15% off if they also have Premier elite status), then you're looking at a pretty solid deal for United awards.
Use TSA Precheck or Global Entry
The card also offers a credit worth up to $120 once every four years to cover the fee for either Global Entry or TSA Precheck. TSA Precheck is a trusted traveler program that lets you speed through security. It also allows you to keep your belt on and your liquids in your bags. Global Entry gives you expedited reentry to the U.S. after traveling abroad. Global Entry generally includes TSA Precheck, so if you’re going to go for just one, go for Global Entry.
If you’re hoping to earn elite status in the MileagePlus program for a chance at cabin upgrades on international flights, this card can help you get there. For every $20 you charge, you’ll earn 1 Premier Qualifying Points toward United elite status. This is good all the way to United’s Premier 1K status — and you can earn up to 18,000 PQPs each calendar year using this method.
Use Instacart
The United Quest℠ Card now offers one $10 Instacart credit and one $5 Instacart credit monthly for purchases made directly through Instacart with your card. That's up to $180 in total value each calendar year if you max it out each month. The Instacart benefits are valid through Dec. 31, 2027.
The United Quest℠ Card annual fee isn't worth it if you …
Never fly with United. If you’re located near an airport that is predominantly served by Delta or American Airlines, you may find yourself struggling to find a use for the United TravelBank cash.
Use your miles for upgrades. If you’re more prone to redeeming miles for mileage upgrades rather than flights, you’ll miss out on the 10,000-mile award flight discount.
The United Quest℠ Card is an excellent mid-tier option for travelers who will fly with United at least once a year. The $200 annual United travel credit in particular goes a long way in making this a reasonable card to hold.