United Explorer 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 quick look at why we like the United Quest℠ Card.

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• The card offers a $200 annual United purchase credit that is automatically applied to your account for eligible purchases.
• Cardholders and a companion can receive up to two free checked bags each on United-operated flights, which can provide significant savings.
• The combination of the annual $200 United credit and the free checked bag benefit on just one roundtrip flight with a companion can more than offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders and a companion receive free checked bags on United-operated flights.
• You can earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) toward MileagePlus Premier status through card spending.
• The card includes a suite of travel protections, such as trip cancellation insurance and primary auto rental coverage.

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Cons

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• The annual fee may not be justifiable for infrequent United flyers.
• Benefits are narrowly focused on United, offering less flexibility than general travel cards.
• It lacks premium perks like complimentary United Club access.

United Quest vs United Explorer

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Categories

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When considering which is better, United Explorer or United Quest, the right choice depends on your travel habits and how often you fly with the airline.

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• United℠ Explorer Card - This card is best for travelers who fly United a few times per year and can take advantage of key perks like a free checked bag and airport security credits. It's a solid choice for budget-conscious travelers who want to offset the annual fee with the card's benefits.
• United Quest℠ Card - This card is geared toward frequent United flyers who will maximize its premium travel benefits, annual purchase credits, and enhanced rewards on United spending. It's designed for those who want a faster path to elite status and more comprehensive travel protections.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Cardholders can redeem miles for flights with United and its partners, as well as for hotel stays, car rentals, and unique experiences, making it a flexible option for less frequent travelers.

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United Quest℠ Card: This card offers the same core redemption options but provides more potential value for frequent flyers redeeming miles for flight upgrades and premium cabin awards.

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Travel Perks

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• Free Checked Bags: The Quest℠ Card offers a more generous baggage allowance, with the first and second checked bags free for you and a companion on the same reservation. In comparison, the Explorer Card provides the first checked bag free for you and one travel companion.
• Priority Boarding: Cardholders of both the Explorer and Quest℠ cards receive Priority Boarding on United-operated flights, letting them board earlier and find space for carry-on bags.
• Lounge Access: The Explorer Card provides two one-time United Club℠ passes each year for you to relax before your flight. This benefit is not available with the Quest℠ Card, which focuses more on direct spending credits.
• In-Flight Savings: Both cards offer a 25% statement credit back on in-flight purchases, including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United flights.
• Airport Security Credits: To help you get through the airport faster, both cards offer a statement credit to cover the application fee for either Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: If you travel internationally, both cards are excellent companions as neither charges foreign transaction fees.
• Annual United Credit: A significant perk exclusive to the Quest℠ Card is an annual United purchase credit, which helps offset the card's annual fee. The Explorer Card does not have this feature.
• Anniversary Award Credits: The Quest℠ Card also rewards loyal cardmembers with anniversary award flight credits after taking a United award flight, a perk not available with the Explorer Card.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards and get personalized, data-driven recommendations.

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• Test Drive a Card: Before you apply, you can use your real spending data to see exactly how much a new credit card would earn you in rewards.
• Personalized Recommendations: Kudos analyzes your transaction history to match you with the best card for your unique spending habits.
• Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of getting a card through Kudos, they will match it.
• Autofill at Checkout: The browser extension automatically selects and fills in the best card from your wallet during online checkout to maximize rewards on every purchase.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is a strong contender for frequent United flyers, as the free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and a companion can easily offset the annual fee after just one round-trip flight. It also appeals to travelers who value expedited security screening through its Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit and those who travel abroad, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, the United℠ Explorer Card is designed for budget-conscious individuals with good to excellent credit who fly United often enough to maximize its core travel perks.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who travel several times a year. These travelers can easily offset the annual fee by taking advantage of the annual United purchase credit and free checked bag allowance for themselves and a companion. Beyond the direct savings, the card is also a great fit for those looking to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) toward MileagePlus status and who value comprehensive travel protections, as detailed in this premium travel card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs. United Quest comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect fit for your travel style, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better match.

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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 good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review the card’s benefits - Ensure the perks, like free checked bags or statement credits, align with your travel habits.
• Understand application guidelines - Be aware of any issuer-specific rules that might affect your eligibility for a welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Apply when you have upcoming United flights to take immediate advantage of travel perks.
• Consider your path to elite status by planning how you'll earn Premier Qualifying Points through card spending.
• Time your application before a large purchase to help meet any welcome offer spending requirements naturally.

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 have both the United Explorer Card and the United Quest Card?

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Yes, it is possible to hold both the United Explorer and United Quest cards simultaneously. However, be mindful of Chase's application rules, such as the 5/24 rule, which could affect your eligibility for a new card.

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How does the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit work?

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Both cards offer a statement credit for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once every four years. Simply pay the application fee with your eligible card to receive the credit automatically.

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Can I upgrade from the United Explorer Card to the United Quest Card?

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You may be eligible to request a product change from the Explorer Card to the Quest Card by calling the number on the back of your card. This allows you to access different benefits without a new application, but you typically won't receive a new cardmember welcome offer.

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