The new card, which carries an annual fee of $250, is the fourth United card from Chase and follows the launch of the no-annual-fee United Gateway Card earlier this year. It offers cardholders a large bonus, competitive travel perks, and a variety of ways to earn airline miles on non-travel purchases. The fuller suite of United cards now squarely competes with frequent flyer cards from other major U.S. airlines, namely Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Besides the Gateway card, there is the $95 Explorer card, and the luxe $525 Club Infinite card. The new Quest settles in between Explorer and Club Infinite in the lineup. People can apply for the United Quest on the Chase website or ask to switch from another United card by calling the customer service number listed on the back of their current card. Here are more details on the offer: New cardholders who spend $5,000 within three months of opening the United Quest Card will get 80,000 miles. Those who meet that requirement and spend a total of $10,000 within six months of opening the card will get 20,000 more miles. Based on The Balance’s valuation of United’s miles, the full 100,000-mile bonus is worth about $2,190, which is one of the highest-value offers advertised by an airline or general travel rewards card right now. The ongoing rewards offered by the United Quest Card are generous when compared to other similar airline cards, too. It offers the most miles-per-dollar on United Airlines purchases (which is typical for airline rewards cards), but cardholders can also earn extra miles on several non-travel categories. Here’s how it breaks down:
3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases (once you earn a $125 annual United Airlines purchase credit)2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel purchases, including airfare with other airlines, rental cars, hotels, and rideshare services 2 miles per $1 spent on restaurant and and eligible streaming service purchases1 mile per $1 spent on everything else.
This new card also comes with a handful of high-value travel benefits, including two 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits, two free checked bags for the cardholder and two more for their travel companion, and statement credits for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees. These benefits are in line with what other mid-level or premium airline cards offer frequent flyers.
