United Quest℠ Card

• Get a jump start on earning Premier status with 1,000 Card Bonus PQP each year, awarded within 8 weeks of February 1, starting in the calendar year following your account open date.
• Earn a 10,000-mile eligible award flight discount after spending $20,000 each calendar year
• Up to $100 in credits on rideshare purchases annually
• Up to $80 in United travel credits on Avis or Budget purchases annually
• Up to $150 in credits on JSX purchases annually
• Free first and second checked bags--a savings of up to $440 per roundtrip (terms apply)
• 3-Month Complimentary Instacart+ Membership. Terms apply.
• Up to $180 in Instacart credits annually. Terms apply.
• Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
• Up to Platinum status (18,000 PQP) at a rate of 1 PQP for every $20 you spend on purchases.
• Up to $150 in credits for Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers
• NEW! Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
  

[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Using miles for non-travel redemptions [.dontreco]

Gift cards and merchandise usually give you less than 1 cent per mile in value, so our advice is to skip those. You’ll lose a lot of potential value compared to flight redemptions, especially for premium travel. If it’s not booking a flight, it’s probably not worth it.

[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Redeeming miles for economy United flights [.sometimesreco]

It’s not always the best value, but it can work in your favor if flights are priced right. You’ll get a 10,000-mile credit each account anniversary when booking an award flights, so that helps stretch your points! For short-haul or domestic flights, this can be a decent option.

[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Booking international business class on Star Alliance partners [.alwaysreco]

Use your miles to fly ANA, Lufthansa or Swiss in business class and you’ll get way more value per mile. These redemptions often exceed 2 cents per mile, turning your points into luxe travel experiences. It’s the best way to maximize what the Quest Card can do.

You can’t transfer United miles to other programs, but you can redeem them on over 25 Star Alliance and partner airlines, including: Lufthansa, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Air Canada, ANA and more. See the full list of transfer partners here.

1. The Mid-Tier United Flyer

If you fly United a few times a year and want great perks without going full premium, this card is the sweet spot. You’ll get free first and second checked bags, priority boarding and improved award availability, benefits that make travel so much sweeter. Plus, with an annual United purchase credit and decent miles back on up to two award flights each year, the card more than makes up for its annual fee.

2. The Upgrader

With this card, you can use PQP earnings to chase elite status, making your flights even more comfortable. The card also earns decent miles back on United purchases, helping you rack up rewards faster for future trips. If you're wanting to level up with United without jumping to a premium card, the Quest Card is a smart middle ground.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is low, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the United Quest Card, is unlikely. Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.

The recommended credit score for the United Quest Card is good to excellent. But again, if you’re in a solid place with your credit and feel you are ready for a new card, don’t let the fear of being rejected keep you from applying. We’ve known several people to be rejected on their first application, call Chase to please their case, and be granted the United Quest Card.