United Quest vs Amex Gold: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express® Gold Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of what makes the American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) a top contender for foodies and frequent flyers alike.

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• You’ll earn generous rewards on what you likely spend on most: dining and groceries.
• The card’s monthly credits for dining and Uber provide consistent, tangible value.
• It’s built for travel, with bonus rewards on flights and no fees on foreign transactions.

Terms apply.

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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.}

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Pros

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• Exceptional rewards on dining and groceries make it a top choice for food lovers.
• Annual credits for both dining and Uber provide tangible, easy-to-use value.
• Travel-friendly perks include bonus rewards on flights, no foreign transaction fees, and flexible point transfers to airline partners.

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Cons

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• The annual fee is substantial.
• Statement credits are issued in monthly increments and some perks require enrollment, which can make it difficult to extract the card’s full value.
• It’s not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.

American Express® Gold Card vs United Quest

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Categories

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Deciding between travel rewards cards can be tough. When considering which is better United Quest or Amex Gold, it's important to look at what each card is designed for.

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• United Quest℠ Card is a mid-tier choice ideal for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to enjoy premium travel perks and earn status faster.
• American Express® Gold Card is best suited for dining and travel enthusiasts who spend a lot at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets and want to earn flexible rewards.

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Redemption

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United Quest℠ Card: Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partner airlines.

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American Express® Gold Card: This card earns flexible Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs, providing a wide array of redemption possibilities.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Portal & Ecosystem: The United Quest℠ Card's ecosystem is tightly integrated with United Airlines, offering perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and an annual United purchase credit directly through the airline. Cardholders can also earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward elite status. In contrast, the American Express® Gold Card operates within the broader American Express Travel ecosystem. It provides access to The Hotel Collection for benefits like room upgrades on eligible stays (Terms Apply) and allows points to be transferred to a wide network of airline and hotel partners.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are good choices for international spending, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee.
• Lounge Access: The United Quest℠ Card may include a couple of one-time passes to United Club lounges annually, while the American Express® Gold Card does not come with any lounge access perks.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the best choice for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards based on your unique spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: Before you apply, you can test drive a card by simulating your potential earnings based on your actual transaction history, giving you a clear projection of its value.
• Personalized Recommendations: By securely connecting your bank accounts, Kudos analyzes your spending patterns to match you with the best cards for your lifestyle.
• Extra Rewards: Earn Kudos Boost rewards when you shop at your favorite stores, which stack on top of the rewards you already earn from your credit card.
• Financial Dashboard: Keep track of your spending, monitor your credit score, and manage all your card perks in one centralized location.
• Approval Odds Analysis: The platform provides a detailed analysis of your approval odds for new cards by looking at your credit report, helping you apply with more confidence.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who travel several times a year and want to elevate their experience with premium perks. This traveler can easily maximize the card’s value by using benefits like the annual United purchase credit and the free checked bag allowance for themselves and a companion. It's also a great fit for MileagePlus members seeking a faster path to elite status, as the card allows you to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) through spending.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?

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The American Express® Gold Card is tailor-made for food enthusiasts who split their spending between dining out and cooking at home. Cardholders can maximize value by earning 4X points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X. This makes it a powerhouse for frequent travelers who also spend a significant portion of their budget on food, and who can take full advantage of the card's monthly statement credits.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, you've weighed the pros and cons in the United Quest℠ Card vs. American Express® Gold Card comparison and decided neither is the right choice for you. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and other options might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Align benefits with your spending – Ensure the card’s perks, like airline or dining credits, match your regular habits.
• Review issuer application rules – Be aware of any restrictions that may affect your eligibility for a welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Be patient – Don't settle for a lower welcome offer if you believe a better one is available.
• Time your application strategically – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Try different application channels – Sometimes offers can vary between browsers, devices, or referral links.

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 are the annual fees for the United Quest Card and the American Express Gold Card?

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The United Quest℠ Card has a $250 annual fee. The American Express® Gold Card also has a $250 annual fee (see Rates & Fees; Terms Apply).

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Which card is better for frequent United Airlines flyers?

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Frequent United flyers will likely find more value in the United Quest℠ Card due to its airline-specific perks like free checked bags and an annual United flight credit, which are tailored specifically to travel on United Airlines.

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Can I use the points from both cards for flights on other airlines?

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Yes, both cards offer this flexibility in different ways. The United Quest℠ Card earns MileagePlus miles which can be redeemed on Star Alliance partner airlines, whereas the American Express® Gold Card earns Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to numerous airline partners.

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