If you fly United Airlines regularly, the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) can be a powerful way to earn more miles and reduce your out-of-pocket travel costs.

As someone who frequently chooses United for flights, I’ve found the card hits a practical middle ground: It offers meaningful airline perks — like a $200 annual United TravelBank credit, two free checked bags and elevated earning rates on United purchases — without having to put in the time and spending required to earn elite status.

The key question is whether you fly United often enough (and can use those perks strategically enough) to justify the card’s $350 annual fee.

Here’s a closer look at who the United Quest Card is best for and who should consider another option.

Related: I just changed my airline loyalty — here’s how the United Quest Card sealed the switch

Who the United Quest Card is best for

There’s a lot to love about the United Quest Card. Here’s who will benefit most from having the card.

Semifrequent United flyers

If you fly United several times per year, the United Quest Card starts to make a lot of sense.

That’s because many of the card’s most valuable perks are tied directly to flying United. Cardholders receive:

• 25% back on United inflight purchases as a statement credit (including Wi-Fi, food and beverages)
• Priority boarding on United flights
• Up to 20,000 miles in award flight discounts annually
• Strong travel protections

One of the strongest perks of the card is its earning structure. Currently, the United Quest earns a strong 3 miles per dollar spent on United purchases in addition to the at least 5 miles per dollar spent you earn as a United MileagePlus member — that’s a whopping 8% return, according to TPG’s February 2026 valuations.

United recently announced changes to its earning rates. For tickets purchased on or after April 2, the Quest Card will earn 4 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, and cardholders will earn 6 miles per dollar spent on United flights as MileagePlus members — for a total of 10 miles per dollar spent.

The upside is even greater for travelers with elite status. Earning rates increase for cardholders across every Premier tier. For example, I currently hold Premier Silver status; as a Quest Card holder, I’ll earn 12 miles per dollar spent on United flights, which is a substantial return on paid travel.

If United is the airline you naturally book anyway, this card rewards you for doing what you’re already doing.

Related: United unveils huge MileagePlus shake-up, rewarding cardholders with higher earn rates

Travelers who check 2 bags

This is one of the most underrated — and potentially most valuable — perks of the United Quest Card.

The card includes two free checked bags for you and a companion on the same reservation. On domestic economy flights, United typically charges $40 ($35 if prepaid) for the first checked bag and $50 ($45 if prepaid) for the second bag.

That means you could pay up to $90 per person each way if you check two bags without a card benefit.

If you and a companion each check two bags round-trip on just one domestic flight, that could cost up to $360 total. That alone covers the Quest Card’s $350 annual fee.

Personally, I frequently fly United and regularly check two bags free thanks to my Quest Card. For travelers who don’t pack light, take longer trips or occasionally travel with bulkier items like skis or golf clubs, this benefit alone can justify holding the card year after year.

Related: These 27 credit cards can get you free checked bags on your next flight

Travelers who can maximize the $200 TravelBank credit

Each account anniversary, the Quest Card provides $200 in United TravelBank cash. This credit can be used toward United-operated flights and is automatically deposited into your TravelBank account.

There are plenty of practical ways to use it:

• Offset the cost of a short domestic flight
• Cover part of a round-trip ticket for a weekend getaway
• Reduce the out-of-pocket cost of a positioning flight
• Help pay for a last-minute ticket when prices spike

While I haven’t redeemed this year’s credit yet, I’ve already earmarked it for an upcoming domestic trip from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., to visit my family this spring, which will help offset what’s often an expensive cross-country flight.

Even if you only book one or two United flights per year, it’s typically easy to use this credit organically. When you subtract the $200 TravelBank credit from the $350 annual fee, your effective cost of holding the card drops to $150 — before factoring in free checked bags, award flight discounts and other benefits.

If you already fly United, it’s one of the easiest credits to fully use.

Flyers who want more perks than the Explorer offers

The United Quest Card is a strong step up from the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) — especially for travelers who fly United more than once or twice per year.

The Explorer is a great entry-level option, with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $150) and useful perks like a free checked bag and two one-time United Club passes each year. For occasional United flyers, that may be all you need.

But if you’re booking multiple United flights annually and check bags or redeem miles, the Quest’s incremental perks can quickly outweigh the difference in annual fees and deliver stronger long-term value.

In short, the Explorer fits the occasional flyer. The Quest is designed for frequent United travelers who can maximize its recurring value.

Who should skip the United Quest Card

While the United Quest Card is packed with benefits for United fans and frequent travelers, there are a few reasons why the card might not be the right fit. Let’s take a deeper look at who the card isn’t the right fit for.

Travelers who want United Club access

While the United Quest Card has many travel-related benefits, it does not come with any lounge privileges, and you don’t get any guest passes.

If lounge access is a priority, the United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees) may be a better fit. It includes a United Club membership as part of its annual fee, which grants access for the primary cardholder and eligible guests.

And for those who don’t want to pay the United Club’s steep $695 annual fee, remember that the United Explorer offers two guest passes annually for a much more approachable fee ($0 introductory; $150 after the first year).

That said, not everyone needs airline-specific lounge access. For example, I personally get lounge access through the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, so I don’t need the Quest Card to provide that benefit. While the number of Capital One lounges is limited, the Venture X also includes a Priority Pass lounge membership (at participating lounges), giving access to over 1,300 airport lounges, so I rarely feel short on options.

If you also already have lounge access through another premium travel card, the lack of United Club access here may not matter.

Related: Is the United Club Card annual fee worth it?

Those over Chase’s 5/24 rule

The United Quest Card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards across all issuers in the past 24 months, you’re unlikely to be approved.

If you’re currently over 5/24, you may need to wait — or consider a card from another issuer.

Related: Chase’s 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know

Travelers who prefer earning flexible points

The United Quest Card earns United MileagePlus miles. If you don’t regularly fly United — or you prefer more flexibility in how you redeem your rewards — a transferable points or miles card could be a better option.

Flexible points and miles can typically be transferred to multiple airline and hotel partners or redeemed in other ways, giving you more options.

Two strong alternatives with significantly lower annual fees include:

If you value flexibility over airline-specific perks, one of those cards may be a better long-term fit.

Bottom line

If you fly United multiple times per year, check bags regularly and can easily use the $200 annual TravelBank credit, the United Quest Card’s ongoing perks can quickly offset much of its $350 annual fee.

However, if you prioritize lounge access, prefer flexible points or miles over airline-specific miles or only fly United occasionally, another card — either within United’s lineup or outside of it — may be a better fit.

Ultimately, the Quest Card shines for travelers who are loyal enough to United to benefit from its airline perks but don’t need the full premium treatment of a club membership.

To learn more, read our full review of the United Quest Card.

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Apply here: United Quest Card

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