United Quest
The welcome offer, the $200 United credit, two free bags, every partner credit and its catch, the insurance, and whether the $350 fee pays for itself.
Points Atelier may earn from partner links. Ratings never depend on it.
Airline cards · Chase
Welcome offer
Up to 90,000 miles
Annual fee
$350
80,000 bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, 10,000 more after adding an authorized user in the same period, and 500 Premier qualifying points after the first purchase. Not available to current cardholders or anyone who received this card’s bonus in the past 24 months.
Foreign transaction fees: NoneRewards: United MileagePlus miles
The Atelier Take
A step up from the Explorer for United regulars who will use the credits.
Who it suits
Frequent United flyers who check bags, travel with a companion and want progress toward Premier status.
Who should skip it
Anyone who flies United only a few times a year: the Explorer covers the first bag for $150.
Every credit, and the catch
The $200 United credit and the annual 10,000-mile award discount do most of the work; the partner credits are extras tied to single brands.
United travel credit
Up to $200 a year
For a future flight operated by United or United Express.
10,000-mile award discount
10,000 miles a year
Applies to an eligible award flight; a second discount comes after $20,000 of spending a year.
Renowned Hotels credit
Up to $150 a year
Prepaid stays through Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United Cardmembers only.
Instacart credit
Up to $180 a year
Purchases made directly through Instacart, only in months with an active Instacart+ membership.
JSX credit
Up to $150 a year
Flights bought directly from JSX.
Rideshare credit
Up to $100 a year
Rideshare purchases paid with the card.
Avis or Budget credit
Up to $80 a year
Paid as United travel credit, on rentals booked through mileageplustravel.united.com.
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS
Up to $120 every 4 years
What it earns
Rewards: United MileagePlus miles.
10x
Eligible United flights
6x as a MileagePlus member plus 4x from the card; less on Basic Economy
4x
Other United purchases
5x
Hotels prepaid through Renowned Hotels and Resorts
2x
Other travel
Airfare, trains, transit, cruises, hotels, car rentals, rideshare and tolls
2x
Dining and select streaming
1x
Everything else
TPG values United miles at 1.2¢ each. United prices most awards dynamically, so value varies by route and date; partner awards on Star Alliance airlines are often the better use.
United benefits
Free first and second checked bags
For the cardholder and one companion on the same reservation; Chase puts the saving at up to $440 per round trip.
Group 2 boarding
For the cardholder and companions on the same reservation.
Premier qualifying points
1,000 bonus PQP each year, plus 1 PQP per $20 spent, up to 18,000 PQP a year.
Economy Plus upgrades
Two global Economy Plus upgrades after $40,000 of spending a year.
Award discounts
10% or more off award flights booked with miles.
25% back in flight
On food, drinks and Wi-Fi on United flights and premium drinks in United Clubs.
Premier upgrades on award tickets
Cardholders with Premier status, and one companion on the same reservation, can receive complimentary Premier upgrades on award tickets, subject to availability.
Will the $350 fee pay off?
Enter what would go on this card. The result values points at TPG’s valuation, adds the credits that would actually be used and, in year one, the welcome offer, then sets the total against a no-fee card that pays 2% back on everything.
1 · Spending on this card
Example figures are filled in; replace them with real ones.
United flights and other United purchasesCard miles only; the 6x as a MileagePlus member comes with any card and is left out
4x
Hotels prepaid through Renowned Hotels and Resorts
5x
Other travelHotels, car rentals, trains, transit, rideshare and tolls
2x
Dining and select streaming
2x
Groceries
1x
Gas
1x
Everything else
1x
2 · Credits that would be used
Tick only what would be used anyway, at full value.
3 · Assumptions
The result
Not counted: Premier qualifying points toward status, Group 2 boarding, Economy Plus upgrades, 10% or more off award flights and the insurance.
Insurance and protections
Chase lists these on the card’s page; the car rental cover is primary. Pay for the trip or purchase with the card to be covered.
Auto rental coverage
Primary cover up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage on most rentals, when the rental company’s cover is declined.
Trip cancellation and interruption
Up to $1,500 per traveler and $6,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable fares.
Trip delay
Up to $500 per traveler when a trip is delayed more than 12 hours or needs an overnight stay.
Lost luggage
Up to $3,000 per traveler for lost, damaged or stolen bags.
Baggage delay
Up to $100 a day for 3 days for essentials when bags are delayed more than 6 hours.
Purchase protection
Damage or theft within 120 days of purchase, up to $10,000 per item.
Extended warranty
Adds one year to U.S. manufacturer warranties of three years or less.
Pros and cons
Pros
- First and second bags free for two travelers
- The $200 United credit and 10,000-mile discount offset most of the fee
- Strong help toward Premier status
- Primary car rental cover
Cons
- $350 fee for a single-airline card
- Partner credits take tracking
- The Explorer covers the basics for less
- Trip delay cover only after 12 hours
Card terms change often and some offers are personalized; the issuer’s page is the final word.