What Are the Fees Associated With the United Quest Card?
The United Quest Card charges a $250 annual fee, along with the following other fees and APRs:
- An APR of 21.49% to 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers based on your creditworthiness.
- A cash advance APR of 29.99% variable.
- A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- A cash advance fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater.
- A late payment fee of up to $40.
- A returned payment fee of up to $40.
Maximizing Rewards
Cardholders receive miles on every United Quest Card purchase. You’ll earn:
- 3 miles per dollar on eligible United purchases.
- 2 miles per dollar on restaurant, select streaming service and all other travel purchases.
- 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
In addition to earning miles as you make purchases, you can also receive two 5,000-mile flight credits each account anniversary year after taking a United- or United Express-operated flight booked with your miles.
You can also earn and use MileagePlus miles on any airline in the Star Alliance network. Redeem your miles toward United and Star Alliance flights, car rentals or shopping at favorite retailers.
Comparisons With Other Travel Rewards Credit Cards
The United Quest Card comes with a $250 annual fee, but the United℠ Explorer Card waives its $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee the first year. At the same time, the United Quest Card offers a slightly higher rewards-earning rate.
The United Quest Card earns 3 miles per dollar on eligible United purchases; 2 miles per dollar on dining, streaming service and all other travel purchases; and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. By comparison, the United Explorer Card gets 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, stays booked directly with hotels and restaurant purchases, including eligible delivery services, plus 1 mile per dollar on all other spending.
The United Quest Card and the United Explorer Card offer many of the same travel and purchase protection benefits. For instance, both cards provide priority boarding, complimentary seat upgrades and 25% back as statement credits on United in-flight purchases.
Both cards also have the same travel, purchase and fraud protection benefits, plus up to $100 as a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee. Neither card charges a foreign transaction fee.
But while the United Quest Card allows two free checked bags for you and a traveling companion, the United Explorer Card permits one free checked bag for each of you.
You can also expect different account anniversary benefits with these cards. The United Explorer Card offers two one-time United Club airport lounge passes, worth $59 each, and the United Quest Card provides up to a $125 annual credit and two 5K-mile anniversary award flight credits for United purchases made on your account.
You’ll bank miles with the United Quest Card and Membership Rewards points with the American Express Gold Card. United’s MileagePlus awards have less flexibility than points, which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards and statement credits or transferred to frequent traveler program partners. Travel partners include airlines such as British Airways, JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines, but not United.
The American Express Gold Card earns four points per dollar at U.S. restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets, including takeout and delivery; three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on the AmEx travel site; and one point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Both cards offer travel reservation assistance, but only the American Express Gold Card offers a 24-hour hotline for medical, legal, financial or other emergency assistance. Each card charges a $250 annual fee but no foreign transaction fees.
Likewise, both cards have baggage insurance, but the United Quest Card provides considerably more at up to $3,000 per passenger compared with up to $1,250 for carry-ons and $500 for checked bags with the American Express Gold Card. However, the American Express Gold Card also extends this coverage to baggage on trains, ships and buses.
While the United Quest Card provides up to $125 annual credit and two 5K-mile anniversary award flight credits for United purchases, the American Express Gold Card gives you up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.