Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 we think the United Quest℠ Card is a compelling choice for loyal United travelers.

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• The card’s $200 annual United purchase credit is applied automatically to your account, effectively lowering the net cost of holding the card.
• You and a companion can get up to two free checked bags on United flights, a perk that can save hundreds of dollars annually for regular travelers.
• With the annual purchase credit and just one round-trip flight using the free checked bag benefit, the card can easily pay for itself (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers valuable travel credits, including an annual credit for United purchases and reimbursement for trusted traveler program application fees.
• Accelerated rewards on United purchases, plus bonus miles on other travel, dining, and select streaming services.
• Comes with a comprehensive suite of travel protections, including trip cancellation insurance and primary rental car coverage.

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Cons

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• Benefits are heavily concentrated on United Airlines, offering less value for those who fly with multiple carriers.
• The card’s perks may not be worth the annual fee for infrequent travelers or those who don't spend enough to maximize its benefits.
• Lacks complimentary United Club lounge access, a common feature on higher-tier airline cards.

United Quest vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better Chase Sapphire Preferred or United Quest depends entirely on your personal travel habits and loyalty to a specific airline.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - This card is an excellent entry-level option for those new to travel rewards. It provides strong value across travel, dining, and everyday spending categories.
• The United Quest℠ Card - This card is best suited for frequent United Airlines flyers looking to maximize their rewards within the MileagePlus program. It offers premium travel perks specifically tailored to the United travel experience.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Points earned with this card are highly flexible, allowing you to book travel through the Chase portal or transfer them to various airline and hotel partners. This versatility lets you choose the travel provider that offers the best deal for your needs.

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The United Quest℠ Card: Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles, primarily redeemed for flights with United and its Star Alliance partner airlines. This is most valuable for travelers committed to the United ecosystem who want to maximize their flight rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is built around the flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where points are worth more when redeemed for travel. It features an annual hotel credit and has no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for international trips. While it does not offer airport lounge access, it provides value through other partnerships, such as a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription.
• The United Quest℠ Card: This card’s perks are tailored specifically for the United flyer. It offers an annual United purchase credit and up to two 5,000-mile anniversary award credits each year. The card also provides a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee and charges no foreign transaction fees. On travel days, cardholders receive priority boarding and a free first and second checked bag for themselves and a companion traveling on the same reservation, which can lead to significant savings.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make a data-driven decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which allows you to compare thousands of credit cards side-by-side based on your personal spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate potential earnings with a new card using your actual transaction history, all without a hard credit pull.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Receive a personalized analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Personalized recommendations: Discover new cards matched to your spending history to maximize your earnings.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want to earn significant rewards without committing to a premium annual fee. It serves as a perfect entry-level travel card for those just starting to explore the world of points and miles, offering a strong value proposition. As detailed in our 2025 review, individuals who regularly spend on dining, travel, and online groceries will find its reward structure and flexible redemption options particularly beneficial.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize their travel rewards and enjoy premium travel benefits without paying the highest annual fee. It's particularly valuable for travelers who fly United several times a year, allowing them to easily use the annual United purchase credit and earn award flight credits. With additional perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and comprehensive travel protections, it's a strong choice for loyal United customers.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. United Quest℠ Card comparison has you thinking neither is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Know the rules: Be aware of issuer-specific application rules, like Chase’s 5/24 rule, that could affect your eligibility.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend requirement to earn the welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Align the card to your habits: Choose a card with perks you’ll actually use, like an airline card for a frequent flyer.
• Use the right application channel: Applying through a dedicated platform can help you find the best available offers.
• Time your application strategically: Apply before a planned large purchase to reach the spending threshold more easily.

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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Which card is better for earning United miles?

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The United Quest℠ Card is specifically designed for United Airlines flyers and earns MileagePlus miles directly on purchases. While points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can be transferred to United, the Quest card provides a more direct path to earning and redeeming with the airline.

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Can I hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the United Quest℠ Card?

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Yes, it is possible to have both cards, as they are different products within the Chase co-branded card family. Holding both can allow you to maximize both flexible Ultimate Rewards points and United-specific perks.

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How do the travel benefits differ between the two cards?

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The United Quest℠ Card offers airline-specific benefits like free checked bags and statement credits on United purchases. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides broader travel protections and credits that can be used across different airlines and hotels.

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Are the annual fees for these cards similar?

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The annual fees for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the United Quest℠ Card are in different tiers, with the United Quest℠ Card typically having a higher annual fee. Each card's fee reflects its unique set of benefits and earning structure.

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