United Quest vs United Gateway: Which Is Better In 2025?

United Gateway Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the United Gateway card a compelling choice for many travelers.

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• It’s a great entry point into the United MileagePlus program without the commitment of an annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
• You can earn miles on everyday spending, with accelerated rewards on United purchases, at gas stations, and on local transit.
• Since there is no annual fee to offset, cardholders can extract value from day one, especially after earning the introductory bonus. (publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• An introductory APR on purchases gives you time to pay off larger expenses without interest.
• Travel and purchase protections like an auto rental waiver and trip cancellation coverage provide peace of mind on the go.
• Adding authorized users is free, making it easy to pool miles from household spending.

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Cons

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• It lacks premium United Airlines benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding.
• The welcome bonus is less generous than what you’ll find on higher-tier United cards.
• Bonus categories for earning miles are limited, which may not maximize rewards depending on your spending habits.

United Gateway vs United Quest

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Quest or United Gateway, depends entirely on your travel habits and how often you fly with the airline. These two cards cater to very different types of United flyers.

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• United Quest℠ Card - This mid-tier card is built for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize their rewards and enjoy premium travel perks. It is best suited for those who fly United several times a year and value benefits like priority boarding and travel protections.
• United Gateway℠ Card - As an entry-level option, this card is best for occasional United flyers or budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It's a good fit for credit card beginners or those who want basic travel protections.

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Redemption

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United Quest℠ Card: Miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related purchases through the United MileagePlus program. Cardholders also get access to expanded award availability, offering more options when booking reward travel.

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United Gateway℠ Card: This card allows you to redeem miles primarily for United flights, making it a straightforward way to save on future travel. Your miles don't expire, providing flexibility for when you choose to book your award ticket.

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Travel Perks

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• Free Checked Bags: The United Quest℠ Card offers a generous free checked bag allowance for the cardholder and a companion on the same reservation. The United Gateway℠ Card does not include this benefit.
• Priority Boarding: With the Quest Card, you’ll receive priority boarding on United flights, allowing you to settle in sooner. This perk is not available with the Gateway Card.
• Annual Credits: A key feature of the Quest Card is an annual United purchase credit and statement credits for award flights, which can significantly offset its annual fee. The Gateway Card does not offer these types of annual credits.
• Expedited Security Screening: The Quest Card includes a statement credit for a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee, a valuable perk for frequent travelers. The Gateway Card does not provide this credit.
• In-flight Discounts: Both cards offer a statement credit back on in-flight purchases like food, beverages, and Wi-Fi aboard United-operated flights.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Neither card charges foreign transaction fees, making both suitable options for international travel.
• Travel Protections: The Quest Card comes with a more comprehensive set of travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance and baggage delay reimbursement. The Gateway Card offers some basic protections like an auto rental collision damage waiver but is less extensive.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To help you decide, you can use a tool like Kudos, which allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards with its data-driven card explorer.

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• Test Drive Feature: Simulate potential earnings from any card using your actual spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Personalized Recommendations: Receive card suggestions tailored to your spending history to maximize your earnings.
• Bonus Tracking: Monitor your progress toward earning credit card sign-up bonuses for free.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is tailor-made for loyal United Airlines flyers who travel several times a year and want to elevate their experience. This ideal user values premier travel benefits like free checked bags, comprehensive trip protections, and a faster way to earn MileagePlus Premier status through spending. If you frequently fly with the airline and spend significantly on travel and dining, the United Quest℠ Card is built to reward that loyalty.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United flyers and those new to travel rewards who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for budget-conscious travelers, especially for international trips, as it has no foreign transaction fees. Overall, it serves as a strong entry-level option for earning MileagePlus miles on everyday spending and is convenient for existing Chase customers.

Alternatives to Consider

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After reviewing our United Quest vs United Gateway comparison, you might find that neither card fully aligns with your spending habits or travel goals. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and other options could provide better value for you.

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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 - Ensure your credit profile aligns with the card's requirements.
• Review the benefits - Make sure the card's perks, like airline credits or lounge access, fit your travel style.
• Assess the annual fee - Consider if you will use the card's benefits enough to justify the yearly cost.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of application restrictions that could affect your approval.
• Look for the best offer - Check different channels to find the most valuable welcome bonus available.
• Time your application strategically - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements.

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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Is the United Quest Card worth its annual fee?

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Whether the United Quest Card's annual fee is worthwhile depends on your travel habits and how much you can leverage its premium benefits. If you frequently fly with United and can maximize perks like the annual United purchase credit and award flight credits, it can easily offset the cost.

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

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Yes, it is often possible to request a product change from the United Gateway Card to the United Quest Card by calling the number on the back of your card. Keep in mind that you typically won't be eligible for the Quest Card's welcome bonus if you upgrade.

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Which card is better for earning miles on everyday spending?

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The United Gateway Card offers 2 miles per dollar on gas stations and local transit, making it a strong choice for everyday non-travel expenses. The United Quest Card, however, provides higher earning rates on United purchases and other travel categories.

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