Just when United Airlines pulls the rug out from its members through program devaluations, the airline launches a monster welcome offer on a new card. While it’s true United award flights tend to require more miles than in the past, the welcome offer on the card_name is intriguing.
The airline is targeting potential cardmembers who value benefits because the card_name is loaded with them. Not only is the welcome offer high, but the card credits and benefits likely make this card a keeper year after year. With that said, let’s hop into everything you need to know about this card.
United Quest Card Details
New card members 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. The bonus offer is available to you if you currently don’t have this card. The card also isn’t available to you if you’ve received a new card member bonus in the past 24 months. Both of these are likely not to apply with this being a new card.
Before getting too amped up, it’s important to note that the annual fee is $250. While that’s a high fee, the card benefits likely make it more than worth what Chase charges you every year.
United Quest Card Credits
For those of you familiar with airline credits as you see on cards like the Amex Platinum Card, the card_name comes up to a $125 United purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year – terms apply. Qualifying United purchases include United airfare, seat upgrades, Economy Plus, inflight food, inflight beverages, in-flight Wi-Fi, baggage charges, United fees, and United Card Events from Chase.
Cardmembers also receive two 5,000-mile flight credits every year. These mileage credits are reimbursed to your account after you book two separate United award flights every year. In total, you receive 10,000 United miles back.
A $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit is available every 4 years. This credit is nice, however, many cards offer this credit so it’s likely you already have this credit available on another card.
United in-flight purchases for food, beverages, and Wi-Fi receive a 25% statement credit when you use your card_name for these purchases.
United Quest Card Benefits
Benefits for new card members to flat include the ability to earn bonus PQP, Priority Boarding, Complimentary Premier Upgrades, No Foreign Transaction Fees, One-Year Complimentary DashPash from DoorDash, free checked bags, and priority boarding.
The United MileagePlus program has two types of points you can earn in the program: MileagePlus miles and PQPs. Members use miles to book award flights and for flight upgrades. PQPs help the member to earn United elite status along with Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF). Card members earn 500 PQPs for every $12,000 they spend on the card, up to 6,000 PQPs in a calendar year. As a point of reference, United’s top-tier elite status 1K requires 54 PQF and 18,000 PQP or 24,000 PQP.
Priority boarding is another benefit available to both the primary card member and companions on the same reservation. This benefit allows you to board the plane early and get settled for your flight.
Cardmembers who are also Mileage Plus Premier members and traveling on an award ticket receive complimentary premier upgrades on United flights subject to availability. Upgrades on award tickets are not a card perk that is common on travel credit cards.
This card has no foreign transaction fees so it can be one to bring with you internationally. However, other cards like the Amex Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Citi Premier Card have higher earn rates in categories that are likely more relevant when you travel.
Get a one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
Lastly, the card member received free first and second-checked bags – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) and priority boarding on United Airlines flights.
How to Earn Miles with the United Quest Card
The card earns 3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining, and select streaming services, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
For comparison, the Amex Platinum Card and Citi Prestige Card earn 5x points on airfare. The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on all travel. You earn 5x points at restaurants with the Citi Prestige Card.
How to Redeem Miles with the United Quest Card
United does not pass on fuel surcharges so booking airlines that have high surcharges can increase the value of your miles. Generally speaking, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss Air Lines tend to have high taxes and fees.
Ways to receive high value with your United miles include 1) 60,000 miles one-way business class to South America, 2) 60,000 miles one-way business class to Europe, 3) 70,000 miles one-way business class to Africa, and 4) 35,000 miles one-way economy to Japan.
Which Cards Compete with the United Quest Card?
The Delta Platinum Amex and Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard are the closest competitors to the card_name. Each of these cards earning structures and benefits is similar. However, you’ll want to review each card to see which one makes the most sense for you.
You earn 3x miles on Delta and hotel purchases with the Delta Platinum Amex. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard earns 2x miles at restaurants, gas stations, and on American Airlines purchases.
United Quest Card Conclusion
United Airlines has fired shots off the bow with the introduction of the card_name. This is likely to put both Delta Air Lines and American Airlines on notice. The card has a high welcome bonus but does come with a high annual fee. United loaded this card up with perks and benefits helping to potentially offset the annual that’s charged. You can earn bonus miles on United, travel, and restaurant purchases. However, other cards have high earning rates in these same categories.
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