This week, Chase launched a new credit card, the United Quest Card. This card is an interesting mid-market option with a $250 annual fee and some very interesting benefits, but this morning Stephen found that there is already an increased offer showing in the MPX app that’s good for up to 100,000 United Mileage Plus miles. This card is definitely worth a look for United enthusiasts — we have added a link to this new 100K offer to our Chase United Quest card page.
The Offer & Key Card Details
for more details and to find a link to apply, click the card name below to go to our United Quest card page.
Card Offer and Details |
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60K Miles + 500 PQPs ⓘ Affiliate 60K miles and 500 PQPs after $4K spend in the first 3 months $250 Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Earning rate: 3X United ✦ 2X restaurants including eligible delivery services ✦ 2X on all other travel ✦ 2X select streaming Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn up to 6,000 PQPs per calendar year: 25 PQPs per $500 spend Noteworthy perks: Up to $125 in statement credits for United purchases each cardmember year - terms apply ✦ Two 5K award flight rebates per cardmember year ✦ First and second checked bag free for cardholder and one companion when you purchase your tickets with the card and include your Mileage Plus number ✦ Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus reimbursement ✦ 25% back on United inflight or Club Premium drink purchases |
Quick Thoughts
This new Quest card is pretty intriguing. It offers up to $125 in statement credits each year for United purchases and two 5,000-mile rebates on your first two United award bookings each year, which could make it a near break-even without using any other benefits. With first and second checked bags free for the cardholder and one companion, the card could be a great value for someone who flies United often enough for costs to add up but yet not enough to earn elite status and get free bags.
I find it odd that the United card offers 2x on all travel — presumably including other airlines — but with 2x restaurants, 2x travel, and 3x United purchases, this isn’t a bad card for those categories of spend, either. Most people would still be better off with a Chase Ultimate Rewards strategy for earning United miles, but this card isn’t bad for what it is.
All that is to say that this card isn’t bad on its own merits — so adding a hundred thousand miles makes it a hot offer in my opinion. Sure, United miles came out last in Greg’s recent analysis of value of miles for the big three US carriers, but those who can leverage the excursionist perk can still get great value from United miles — and given no fuel surcharges on award tickets, you can still get a good value out of 100K miles.
I am particularly surprised to see this 100K offer given that the card debuted just the other day with an 80K offer showing (but application links weren’t immediately working). I’m surprised to see them juice the offer this soon, but don’t mistake that for a complaint.
Any knowledge if Chase allows to switch cards? I have the United Explorer card, but wondering if they would let me change to this card (as I don’t meet the 5/24 rule) but I have excellent credit.
Before applying for this card, look up some flights. This year ones that I have looked up cost twice as many miles as they used to.
This is going to totally vary based on use case. Tons of domestic flights I’ve looked at have gone way down in mileage rate. However, I have never redeemed United miles for a United flight – I’ve exclusively used them for international premium cabin travel on partners. Those awards have only seen a moderate increase (Europe on partners in business class has gone from 70K to now 77K miles each way; Asia in business class has gone from 80K to 88K on partners, first class to Asia went from 110K to 121K.
I do agree that you should always have an idea as to how you’ll use the miles before applying for an airline card – and if the flights where you’d be using them have increased in price, I could certainly see how it might not make sense for you.
Thanks, Nick. Maybe it is because I live in Florida and everyone is flying here right now that I am seeing really low value for the flights that I look up. Hopefully things will get back to normal. Also, I love your podcast!
Nick, I figured out why I thought I was seeing terrible value for domestic flights. 50k for flights that would be inexpensive- it is because only First class was left for booking with points on some of the flights I was looking at. So, I am considering this card now. Have a great day!
The terms do not seem to exclude holders of other United cards from this offer. Am I correct in thinking that I could get this card even though I have another United card?
If so, then I really wish I hadn’t just burned my last 5/24 slot last month on an Amex Green.
Yes, you are correct. The terms just say you can’t have gotten the bonus on this particular card in the last 24 months. No mention of other United cards.
I found the 100,000 mile offer, with all of the original terms, on my United.com account. It’s so tempting…
Yeah, it’s the public offer now everywhere.
If we get approved for this card, and we receive it and activate it, can we use ‘refer a friend’ on it to earn additional miles?
No idea since nobody has ever had the card before. There would be no way for anyone to know if they are offering refer-a-friend on it.
if i already have a flight booked on miles would it get reimbursed if i apply now for this card?
No, I definitely wouldn’t expect that. See the question above — it is possible that it doesn’t apply until after your first anniversary, though even if it does apply in your first year I wouldn’t expect it to work on previously-booked travel but rather on your first two bookings after getting the card (but, again, might not apply until the second year – going to follow up on that).
@ Nick — So, do you receive the $125 United credit and 2x 5,000 miles vouchers the FIRST year, or is this like the Delta Reserve card and kicks in only after you pay your first renewal annual fee (so for the SECOND year)? I think the word “anniversary” is throwing me off…
Good question. My expectation was that both benefits applied in the first year, but upon reading the details I think the two 5,000-mile rebates might only be after you pay your first renewal as you’re guessing. The terms on the $125 credit are clear — you get it each year starting with the time you are approved through the end of your 12th month and every year thereafter, so that benefit definitely applies in year 1.
80,000 miles for a $5k spend within 3 months and then an additional 20,000 miles w/a total of a $10k spend in 6 months…seems like a decent offer for 80K miles with the eventual $125 credit statement and award rebates if a UA loyalist but doesn’t seem worth spending another $5k for the additional 20k miles especially if one has a Reserve or Preferred like you mentioned.
4x on that $5K certainly isn’t a bad return. CSR and CSP don’t have a 4x category. I’d do the $10K.
It’s at least 5x on that $5k, not 4x.
If I have the United Club, can I still apply for this card?
Yup. The application terms say the bonus isn’t available if you’ve gotten a bonus on this card (the Quest card) in the past 24 months. So you’re good to go.
How would you manage the transition out of the $95 united card and to this one?
Downgrade the $95 card to the no-fee card or cancel it and apply for this one.