United Quest vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a quick look at what makes the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card a solid choice.

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• The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for travelers.
• It offers a simple, flat-rate rewards structure, earning unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase without worrying about categories.
• With no annual fee to offset, you start gaining value from the very first dollar you spend (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• The card offers a straightforward rewards program, allowing you to earn at a flat rate on every purchase without tracking spending categories.
• You can redeem points for statement credits against a broad range of travel and dining purchases, offering great flexibility without being tied to a specific travel portal.
• As a Visa Signature card, it comes with wide global acceptance and includes some travel protections.

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Cons

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• The flat rewards rate doesn't include bonus categories, so you can't earn extra points on spending like travel or dining.
• It lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access or the option to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
• The card's best rewards are reserved for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, making it less valuable if you don't have significant assets with the bank.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs United Quest

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Quest or Bank of America Travel Rewards, depends entirely on your travel frequency and loyalty to a specific airline. Each card caters to a different type of traveler, from the road warrior to the occasional vacationer.

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• The United Quest℠ Card is designed for frequent travelers, particularly those who regularly fly with United Airlines and want to maximize airline-specific perks.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is a great fit for occasional travelers or beginners seeking a straightforward rewards card without being tied to a specific airline.

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Redemption

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United Quest℠ Card: Rewards are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, making them best for booking flights, securing upgrades, and other travel purchases with the airline and its partners. This system is designed to reward loyalty and offers the most value when used within the United travel ecosystem.

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: This card provides highly flexible redemption options, allowing you to apply your points as a statement credit against nearly any travel or dining purchase. You can book travel however you want without being tied to a specific airline or booking portal.

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Travel Perks

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• Annual Fees and Credits: The United Quest℠ Card carries an annual fee, which is partially offset by an annual United purchase credit and anniversary award credits. In contrast, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card typically has no annual fee, offering a straightforward, cost-free way to earn rewards without annual travel credits.
• Airline-Specific Perks: As a co-branded card, the United Quest℠ Card is rich with airline-specific benefits, including free first and second checked bags for you and a companion on United flights and priority boarding. The Bank of America card does not offer these types of airline-specific perks.
• Booking Flexibility: The United Quest℠ Card’s ecosystem is built around the airline, meaning its perks are best utilized when booking travel directly with United. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers complete freedom, allowing you to book travel however you like—through any portal, airline, or hotel—and redeem points as a statement credit.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent choices for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• Trusted Traveler Programs: The United Quest℠ Card provides a statement credit for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, a valuable perk for frequent flyers. The Bank of America card does not include this benefit.
• Ecosystem Bonuses: The primary ecosystem benefit for the United Quest℠ Card is its deep integration with the United MileagePlus program. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, however, offers a unique advantage for Bank of America customers through its Preferred Rewards program, which provides a rewards bonus on every point earned for eligible members.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a comprehensive tool that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, evaluating options based on your unique spending patterns to find the optimal card for your wallet.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before applying, you can use your actual spending data to simulate potential earnings from a new card, providing a personalized rewards projection without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your chances for approval based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Kickstart+ Rewards: Earn $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards when you add certain approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Kudos Boost: Earn additional rewards on top of your regular credit card points when you shop at partner stores.
• Centralized financial management: Track spending, monitor your credit score, and manage multiple credit cards from a single platform.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is designed for loyal United Airlines customers who fly several times a year and want to elevate their travel experience with premium perks. These travelers will benefit most from features like the annual United purchase credit, free checked bags for themselves and a companion, and the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) toward MileagePlus Premier status. Ultimately, it's a strong choice for individuals whose spending and travel habits on United are significant enough to maximize the card's rewards and easily offset its annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Travel Rewards?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for beginners and casual travelers seeking a straightforward, no-annual-fee travel card, as noted in a comprehensive review. It's particularly valuable for existing Bank of America customers, who can earn up to a 75% rewards bonus through the Preferred Rewards program. With a student version available and no foreign transaction fees, it also suits students building credit and those who want a simple, single-card solution for both everyday spending and occasional international trips.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Quest℠ Card vs. Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card comparison has you feeling like neither option 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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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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.
• Leverage existing relationships – Some issuers offer better rewards or approval odds to their existing banking customers.
• Know the issuer's rules – Be aware of application restrictions, like limits on new cards or welcome offer eligibility.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet a welcome offer's spending requirement.
• Leverage banking relationships – Some cards, like the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, offer enhanced rewards for existing banking customers.
• Evaluate co-branded cards – If you are loyal to a specific airline, a co-branded card like the United Quest℠ Card can provide valuable, brand-specific perks.

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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What if I don't fly United Airlines often?

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If you aren't a frequent United flyer, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is likely a better choice due to its flexible rewards that can be redeemed for any travel purchase. The United Quest℠ Card's value is maximized when you regularly fly with United and its partners.

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Can I transfer points from the Bank of America Travel Rewards card to United?

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No, you cannot transfer points earned with the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card to the United MileagePlus program. These points are redeemed as a statement credit against travel and dining purchases.

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Is the annual fee on the United Quest Card worth it?

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The United Quest℠ Card's annual fee can be easily offset if you utilize its key benefits, like the annual United purchase credit and award flight credits. Evaluate your travel patterns to see if your savings will exceed the cost of the fee.

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