Credit Card News
Chase and United Launch United Quest Card with Up to 100,000-Mile Bonus
Continuing what’s been a slew of recent promotional pushes for travel credit cards, another airline co-branded credit card is making its way to market — and making a splash with a big bonus. Introducing the United Quest card from Chase.
While some details about the United Quest card were revealed last month when United Platinum Class Visa cardholders were informed that they’d be transitioned to the new product, the card is now accepting new applicants. Filling the tier gap between the no-annual-fee United Explorer and the $525 United Club Visa Infinite, the Quest card carries a $250 annual fee. However, the expense is partially offset by a $125 United credit cardholders will receive each year (based on their card anniversary date, not a calendar year). Speaking of anniversaries, starting with your first cardholder anniversary, you’ll also receive 5,000 miles back in your MileagePlus account after taking a United flight you booked with miles. This 5,000-mile rebate can be utilized up to twice per cardholder year.
Of course, like with other United co-branded cards, the United Quest features travel benefits for United flyers. These include a free first and second checked bag for both the cardholder and one travel companion when taking United-operated flights you paid for with your card — a perk the airline values at up to $320 per roundtrip. Other benefits include a 25% rebate (issued as a statement credit) on purchases of in-flight food/beverages and WiFi aboard United-operated flights, priority boarding, and more. Plus, the card charges no foreign transaction fees.
In terms of earning rewards, the United Quest card accrues 3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases as well as 2x miles on all other travel purchases — including airfare, trains, local transit, cruises, hotels, car rentals, cabs, rideshares, tolls, and more. Cardholders can also earn 2x miles at restaurants, 2x miles on purchases from select streaming services, and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
To celebrate the arrival of the new card, United and Chase are offering a welcome bonus worth up to 100,000 miles. Currently, new cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in their first three months. On top of that, they can earn an additional 20,000 bonus miles if they spend a total of $10,000 in their first six months.
With the debut of the United Quest card, United’s credit card lineup once again feels complete, with low, mid, and high-end options for flyers. Although the card does charge a $250 annual fee, frequent United passengers can easily help offset that with the United credit, free checked bags, and other travel benefits. Meanwhile, it’s interesting to note that the card’s launch points to two current trends in the credit card industry: 1) enticing welcome bonuses for travel-centric cards and 2) tiered welcome bonuses that encourage new cardholders to keep spending on their new plastic for longer. In any case, if you’re a United loyalist or could be persuaded to become one, the new United Quest card may just be your chance to set yourself on your way to many award flights in the future.
