Chase Freedom Unlimited vs United Quest: Which Is Better In 2025?

United Quest Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the United Quest℠ Card stands out in the crowded travel card market.

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• Cardholders receive a $200 annual United purchase credit that is automatically applied to their account for United purchases.
• You and a companion can get up to two free checked bags each on United-operated flights, a significant saving for frequent travelers.
• The $200 annual United purchase credit combined with the savings from free checked bags can easily offset the card's annual fee for regular United flyers (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Features accelerated mile earnings on United purchases, travel, and dining, plus annual mileage credits that can be used to discount award flights.
• Offers a pathway to earn elite status qualifying points through everyday spending, helping you reach MileagePlus Premier status faster.
• Includes comprehensive travel protections and a fee credit for expedited airport security programs like TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.

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Cons

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• The card’s benefits are heavily skewed toward United Airlines, offering limited value if you don’t frequently fly with the airline or its Star Alliance partners.
• Lacks certain premium perks like complimentary, year-round airport lounge access, which are available with other travel cards.
• Maximizing the card’s full value requires a significant level of spending and frequent travel, making it less ideal for casual flyers.

United Quest vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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When considering which is better, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or United Quest℠ Card, the answer depends entirely on your spending habits and goals. These two cards cater to very different types of users, one focusing on everyday cash back and the other on premium travel rewards.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a cash back credit card ideal for everyday spenders seeking consistent rewards without tracking rotating bonus categories. It's a great starting point for those new to rewards or looking to build a broader Chase rewards strategy.
• United Quest℠ Card is a travel credit card designed for frequent travelers, especially those who fly United Airlines several times per year. This card is best for maximizing travel rewards and enjoying airline-specific perks.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel through the Chase portal, or gift cards. These points can also be transferred to premium Chase travel cards to unlock more valuable redemption options with travel partners.

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United Quest℠ Card: Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles, which are best used for booking flights with United and its Star Alliance partners. Miles can also be redeemed for other travel-related purchases like seat upgrades and hotel stays.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: As a cash back card, its travel benefits are minimal. Cardholders have access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal to book travel, but the card does charge a foreign transaction fee. It does not offer premium travel perks such as lounge access, airline fee credits, or free checked bags.
• United Quest℠ Card: This card is deeply integrated into the United Airlines travel ecosystem. It features no foreign transaction fees and is packed with perks for United flyers, including an annual United purchase credit, anniversary award credits, and a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fees. Cardholders and a companion on the same reservation also receive up to two free checked bags and priority boarding on United flights.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: See exactly how much a new card could earn you based on your actual spending history before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Get detailed approval odds: Kudos analyzes your credit report to give you a comprehensive breakdown of your chances of being approved for a card.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Unlock extra rewards: Earn additional rewards through features like Kudos Boost on top of what your credit card already offers.
• Explore thousands of cards: The platform includes nearly 3,000 credit cards, 95% of which are not tied to commissions, ensuring unbiased recommendations.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who want to earn consistent cash back without the hassle of tracking rotating bonus categories. It's also well-suited for those new to credit card rewards, offering a straightforward earning structure and valuable benefits like purchase protection with no annual fee. Additionally, it's a powerful tool for existing Chase customers who can pair it with a premium card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, to maximize their Ultimate Rewards® points.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is an excellent choice for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize their travel rewards and enjoy premium benefits without the highest annual fee. This card is particularly valuable for travelers who fly United several times a year, allowing them to take full advantage of the annual United purchase credit and award flight credits. Additionally, it's a strong option for those who value comprehensive travel protections and perks like priority boarding and free checked bags.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. United Quest℠ Card comparison pits a versatile cash-back card against a travel-focused one, but what if neither option is quite right for you? Here are a few other excellent cards to consider that might better suit your spending habits and reward goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score, as a good to excellent score is typically required for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet any minimum spend requirements for a welcome offer.
• Review the card’s benefits to confirm they align with your spending habits and travel patterns.

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Application Strategy

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• Consider your card ecosystem to see if the card complements others you hold or plan to get.
• Align with your travel habits by choosing a card without foreign transaction fees if you travel abroad often.
• Look beyond the welcome offer to ensure the card’s long-term benefits match your goals, such as earning airline status.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I transfer points from the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to the United Quest℠ Card?

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While you cannot transfer points directly between the cards, you can transfer the Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with your Freedom Unlimited® card to your United MileagePlus® account at a 1:1 ratio.

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Which card is better for travel perks?

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The United Quest℠ Card is designed for travelers and offers significant airline-specific benefits, such as statement credits for United purchases and free checked bags. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® focuses on flexible rewards rather than travel-specific perks.

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Do both cards have an annual fee?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® typically has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for earning rewards on daily purchases. In contrast, the United Quest℠ Card carries an annual fee in exchange for its premium travel benefits.

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