The United Membership Infinite Card was launched in March 2020 to exchange the United Membership Card, and the United Quest Card was launched in April 2021 as a brand-new providing that sits between United’s entry-level and ultra-premium card choices.
If you happen to’re a loyal United flyer and questioning whether or not to use for one or the opposite, this information ought to assist you decide which is greatest for you.
United Quest vs. United Membership Infinite comparability
| Card | United Quest | United Membership Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual charge | $250 | $525 |
| Signal-up bonus | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening — plus 500 Premier qualifying factors (PQP) | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months |
| Incomes price | 3 miles per greenback on purchases with United
2 miles per greenback on all different journey 2 miles per greenback on eating 2 miles per greenback on choose streaming companies 1 mile per greenback on the whole lot else |
4 miles per greenback on purchases with United
2 miles per greenback on all different journey 2 miles per greenback on eating 1 mile per greenback on the whole lot else |
| Advantages | Annual $125 United buy credit score
Earn 500 Premier qualifying factors for each $12,000 spent — as much as a most of 6,000 PQPs in a calendar 12 months Earn 5,000 miles again once you take a United award flight — as much as two instances per 12 months beginning after your first anniversary First and second checked luggage free As much as $100 World Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS utility charge credit score 25% again on United inflight purchases Complimentary Premier upgrades on United award flights when obtainable Precedence boarding No international transaction charges |
United Membership membership
Free first and second checked luggage Premier Entry journey companies (precedence entry for check-in, safety screening the place obtainable, boarding and baggage dealing with) 25% off inflight United purchases As much as $100 as an announcement credit score for World Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS IHG One Rewards Platinum standing and a $75 assertion credit score Complimentary Premier upgrades on award flights for United elite members 10% low cost on United Economic system Saver Awards Earn 500 Premier qualifying factors for each $12,000 spent — as much as a most of 8,000 PQPs in a calendar 12 months Expanded award availability No international transaction charges |
| Journey protections | Journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage
Baggage delay insurance coverage Misplaced baggage reimbursement Journey delay reimbursement Main auto rental collision harm waiver Buy safety Prolonged guarantee safety |
Journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage
Baggage delay insurance coverage Misplaced baggage reimbursement Journey delay reimbursement Main auto rental collision harm waiver Buy safety Prolonged guarantee safety Return safety |
United Quest vs. United Membership Infinite welcome bonus
The United Quest Card presently provides a sign-up bonus of 60,000 United miles plus 500 Premier qualifying factors (PQP) after you spend $4,000 within the first three months your account is open. Based mostly on TPG’s valuations, these bonus miles are price $660.
The United Membership Infinite Card presently provides a sign-up bonus of 80,000 United miles after you spend $5,000 within the first three months your account is open. Based mostly on TPG’s valuations, these bonus miles are price $880.
Winner: Infinite.
United Quest vs. United Membership Infinite advantages
Each playing cards supply advantages particularly for flying United, so let us take a look at related advantages first.
Each supply a free first and second checked bag, precedence boarding, 25% off inflight United purchases, a World Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS credit score, no international transaction charges, complimentary upgrades on award flights (the place obtainable), and expanded award availability.
You will additionally earn 500 Premier Qualifying Factors (PQP) for each $12,000 in internet purchases as much as a most of 6,000 PQP in a calendar 12 months with Quest however 8,000 PQP with the Infinite.
A serious distinction between the 2 playing cards is the annual charge. The Quest has a $250 annual charge, whereas the Infinite prices $525.
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By way of lounge entry, the Infinite offers you a full United Membership membership, whereas the Quest provides no type of lounge membership and even one-time United Membership passes.
The Infinite offers cardholders extra United perks, together with precedence check-in and baggage dealing with, IHG One Rewards Platinum standing and a $75 assertion credit score, a ten% low cost on Economic system Saver Awards, and Avis President’s Membership elite standing.
Whereas each playing cards have the same lineup of journey protections, the United Membership Infinite has higher protection for journey cancellation and interruption insurance coverage. The Quest comes with as much as $1,500 per particular person and $6,000 per journey in protection, however the Membership Infinite comes with $10,000 per particular person and $20,000 per journey in protection.
Moreover, the United Membership Infinite comes with return safety, whereas the Quest doesn’t.
Winner: Infinite.
Incomes miles with the United Quest vs. United Membership Infinite
Each United playing cards earn 2 miles per greenback spent on all different journey (together with airfare, trains, native transit, cruise traces, accommodations, automotive leases, taxicabs, resorts, ride-share, ride-sharing companies and tolls) and eating. However that is the extent of their similarities.
The United Quest Card earns 3 miles per greenback on purchases with United and a pair of miles per greenback on choose streaming companies. In the meantime, the United Membership Infinite Card earns 4 miles per greenback on purchases with United however no bonus miles on streaming.
Based mostly on TPG’s valuation of United miles at 1.1 cents every, this implies you will earn a 3.3% return on United purchases, 2.2% on eating, choose streaming companies and different journey with the Quest Card, together with 1.1% on all different purchases. However, you will earn 4.4% on United purchases, together with 2.2% on different journey and eating with the United Membership Infinite Card.
None of those incomes charges are overly compelling until you want United miles for an upcoming redemption. From an incomes standpoint, chances are you’ll be higher off utilizing playing cards within the Chase Trifecta or Chase Quartet after which transferring Chase Final Rewards factors to United miles.
Winner: Infinite.
Redeeming miles with the United Quest Vs. United Membership Infinite
Each playing cards will let you earn United miles by bank card spending, that are routinely deposited into your MileagePlus account. You possibly can redeem factors for United and United-Categorical flights and flights on Star Alliance carriers and associate airways.
When redeeming United miles, you will get the most effective worth when reserving saver-level tickets as a result of they’re priced the bottom. Sadly, United’s latest devaluation has vastly affected the price of redemptions, and a few awards have elevated by as much as 122%.
Winner: Each. These playing cards earn United miles, which could be redeemed by the MileagePlus program.
Ought to I get the United Quest or United Membership Infinite?
If you wish to earn United miles and get precedence boarding and two complimentary checked luggage when flying United on a semi-frequent foundation, the United Quest Card is the one for you. Nevertheless, the United Membership Infinite Card is the higher alternative in case you are a die-hard United frequent flyer, as you will get the identical advantages because the Quest along with a United Membership membership, better-earning charges on United purchases and several other different further advantages.
Backside line
In most conditions, I would suggest going with the United Membership Infinite Card over the United Quest Card as a consequence of the next sign-up bonus, United Membership membership, and a barely higher incomes construction. If United Membership entry is not extremely vital to you, chances are you’ll be higher off with the cheaper Quest card.
In fact, you possibly can all the time request a downgrade after a 12 months to the United Quest in case you do not use the United Membership membership or make the most of further perks and advantages provided by the United Membership Infinite Card. If you happen to fly United incessantly, then the Infinite is an effective alternative. Nevertheless, in case you solely fly United 3-4 instances a 12 months, the Quest might be sufficient for you.
Do not forget that each of those playing cards adhere to the notorious Chase 5/24 rule, so in case you’ve opened 5 or extra card accounts (together with approved consumer accounts) previously 24 months, you will virtually definitely be denied for both card.
Apply right here: United Quest Card
Apply right here: United Membership Infinite Card
Further reporting by Madison Blancafor.