The United Quest℠ Card is a popular travel rewards credit card offered by Chase in partnership with United Airlines. Designed with frequent travelers in mind, the card offers a host of benefits that make it a valuable tool for earning and redeeming miles, along with other travel-related perks. This guide will explore the key features of the United Quest Card, its benefits, fees, and how to apply for it.
Key Features and Benefits
1. Welcome Bonus
One of the most attractive aspects of the United Quest Card is its generous welcome bonus. New cardholders can earn a substantial amount of bonus miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of account opening. For instance, a typical offer might be something like 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. These miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and more through United Airlines’ MileagePlus program.
2. Earning Miles
The United Quest Card offers robust earning potential on various spending categories:
- 3x Miles on United Purchases: Cardholders earn 3 miles per dollar spent directly with United Airlines. This includes purchasing tickets, inflight food and drinks, seat upgrades, and other United-related expenses.
- 2x Miles on Travel: You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel-related purchases, including hotels, car rentals, and transit.
- 2x Miles on Dining: Earn 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, including eligible delivery services.
- 1x Mile on All Other Purchases: For any other purchases, you’ll earn 1 mile per dollar spent.
This earning structure makes the United Quest Card particularly appealing to travelers who frequently fly with United or spend heavily on travel and dining.
3. $125 Annual United Purchase Credit
Each year, cardholders receive up to $125 in statement credits for purchases made directly with United Airlines. This credit can effectively offset part of the card’s annual fee, making it an even more attractive option for United loyalists.
4. Two 5,000 Mile Anniversary Award Flight Credits
Every card anniversary, cardholders receive two 5,000-mile credits, which can be applied toward award flights booked through United’s MileagePlus program. Essentially, this benefit provides a 10,000-mile rebate each year, making your miles stretch further when booking flights.
5. Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit
To make traveling even more seamless, the United Quest Card offers a statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. These programs allow for expedited security screening, saving you time at the airport.
6. Free First and Second Checked Bags
As a United Quest Cardholder, you and one companion traveling on the same reservation can check your first and second bags for free when flying United. Given that checked baggage fees can be quite costly, this benefit can provide substantial savings, especially for frequent travelers or those traveling with family.
7. Priority Boarding
Cardholders and their companions on the same reservation can enjoy priority boarding on United flights. This means you can board the plane earlier, securing overhead bin space and settling in more comfortably before the flight.
8. 25% Back on Inflight Purchases
When you use your United Quest Card to make inflight purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights, you’ll receive a 25% rebate in the form of a statement credit. This can make your travel experience more enjoyable while saving you money.
9. No Foreign Transaction Fees
For those who travel internationally, the United Quest Card does not charge foreign transaction fees. This allows you to use the card abroad without worrying about additional charges, which typically range from 2% to 3% with other cards.
10. Travel and Purchase Protection
The United Quest Card also comes with a suite of travel and purchase protection benefits:
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Reimbursement for non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to covered situations.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Coverage for theft and collision damage when you rent a car using your card.
- Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimbursement for essential purchases if your baggage is delayed more than six hours.
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Coverage for lost or damaged luggage.
- Purchase Protection: Coverage for new purchases against damage or theft for up to 120 days.
- Extended Warranty: Extends the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible purchases.
Annual Fee and Costs
The United Quest Card comes with an annual fee of $250. While this might seem high compared to other credit cards, the value of the benefits, especially for frequent United travelers, can easily outweigh the cost. The $125 annual United purchase credit, combined with the two 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits, can significantly offset this fee. Additionally, the potential savings from free checked bags, priority boarding, and inflight purchase rebates further justify the cost.
It’s important to consider your travel habits and spending patterns to determine if the United Quest Card is the right fit for you. If you frequently fly with United Airlines and can take advantage of the card’s various perks, the annual fee may be well worth it.
How to Apply for the United Quest Card
Applying for the United Quest Card is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
1. Check Your Credit Score
Before applying, it’s a good idea to check your credit score. The United Quest Card typically requires good to excellent credit (a FICO score of 700 or above). If your score is below this range, you may want to take steps to improve it before applying to increase your chances of approval.
2. Gather Necessary Information
When applying for the card, you’ll need to provide personal and financial information, including:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Address
- Employment status
- Annual income
Ensure you have this information handy to streamline the application process.
3. Visit the Chase Website
Go to the Chase website and navigate to the United Quest Card application page. You can also find the card by searching for it on the Chase homepage.
4. Review the Terms and Conditions
Before submitting your application, carefully review the card’s terms and conditions. This includes understanding the interest rates, fees, and any other important information about the card.
5. Submit Your Application
Once you’ve reviewed the terms and conditions, fill out the application form with your personal and financial information. Double-check everything for accuracy before submitting the application.
6. Wait for a Decision
After submitting your application, Chase will review your information and make a decision. In some cases, you may receive an instant decision, while in others, it may take a few days to process your application.
7. Receive Your Card
If approved, you will receive your United Quest Card in the mail within 7-10 business days. Once you have the card, activate it and start using it to earn miles and enjoy the various travel benefits.
Conclusion
The United Quest Card is a powerful tool for frequent United Airlines travelers, offering a range of benefits that can enhance your travel experience and help you earn valuable miles. With perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, inflight discounts, and significant earning potential on travel and dining, the card provides substantial value, even with its $250 annual fee. If you regularly fly with United and are looking for a credit card that rewards your loyalty, the United Quest Card is certainly worth considering. Be sure to assess your own travel habits and financial situation to determine if this card aligns with your needs, and if it does, the application process is straightforward and user-friendly.
