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

American Express Platinum Card® Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Luxury Travel", "headerHint" : "Explore the World" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here's a breakdown of why the American Express Platinum Card®(See Rates & Fees) is a perennial favorite for those seeking luxury travel perks and premium benefits.

‍

• It offers unparalleled access to a global network of airport lounges, enhancing the travel experience.
• Cardholders receive a suite of valuable statement credits and premium benefits across travel, dining, and retail.
• You'll enjoy automatic elite status with major hotel partners and exclusive perks at luxury properties worldwide.

‍

_{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.}

‍

Pros

‍

• Extensive travel benefits, including access to a comprehensive global lounge network and automatic elite status with partner hotel programs.
• A suite of valuable statement credits for lifestyle purchases like digital entertainment, shopping, and rideshare services.
• Exclusive access to sought-after restaurant reservations and unique cardmember experiences through programs like Global Dining Access by Resy.

‍

Cons

‍

• A significant annual fee that requires strategic use of benefits to justify its cost.
• Maximizing the card’s value can be complex, as many benefits require manual enrollment and strategic use throughout the year.
• Reward earnings are primarily focused on travel, with limited bonus categories for everyday spending.

American Express Platinum Card® vs United Quest

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, United Quest or Amex Platinum, depends entirely on your travel habits and what you value in a premium card. Each card caters to a different type of traveler, offering a distinct set of benefits.

‍

• United Quest℠ Card: This card is a mid-tier choice best suited for frequent travelers who primarily fly with United Airlines and want to maximize their MileagePlus miles and enjoy airline-specific perks.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: This premium travel card is designed for frequent travelers who value luxury perks, extensive airport lounge access, and exclusive benefits across various travel and lifestyle categories.

‍

Redemption

‍

United Quest℠ Card: Rewards are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights with United and its Star Alliance partners, seat upgrades, and other travel-related purchases.

‍

The Platinum Card® from American Express: Membership Rewards points offer exceptional flexibility, allowing transfers to a wide array of airline and hotel partners or redemption for travel, statement credits, and merchandise through the American Express portal.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Lounge Access: The United Quest℠ Card offers limited entry with a set number of one-time passes to United Club℠ locations annually, while The Platinum Card® from American Express provides extensive airport lounge access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion® Lounges, Priority Pass™ Select, and Delta Sky Club® access when flying Delta.
• Booking Portals: With the United Quest℠ Card, travel is managed through the United Airlines platform, which is ideal for those loyal to the airline. In contrast, The Platinum Card® from American Express uses the more versatile American Express Travel portal, which includes access to benefits like the Fine Hotels + Resorts® program.
• Reward Flexibility: The United Quest℠ Card earns MileagePlus miles, best used for flights on United and its Star Alliance partners. The Platinum Card® from American Express earns Membership Rewards® points, which can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel loyalty programs, offering greater flexibility.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are traveler-friendly, with neither charging foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To see how these cards stack up against your personal spending, a tool like Kudos can provide data-driven recommendations.

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate potential earnings based on your actual spending data to see which card offers the most value.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: You can unlock $100 in rewards by adding certain approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

‍

The United Quest℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize their rewards and enjoy premium travel benefits. It's particularly valuable for travelers who fly United several times a year, allowing them to take full advantage of perks like the annual United purchase credit, free checked bags, and priority boarding. Additionally, MileagePlus members seeking a faster path to elite status will find the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points through spending a significant advantage.

Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?

‍

The American Express Platinum Card® is tailor-made for frequent travelers who value luxury experiences and can maximize a wide array of statement credits. This cardholder regularly takes advantage of benefits like extensive airport lounge access, complimentary hotel elite status, and exclusive dining reservations. Ultimately, it's for the person whose lifestyle and spending habits naturally align with the card's premium perks, allowing them to easily extract enough value to offset the annual fee; terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If this United Quest vs. Amex Platinum comparison shows that neither the United Quest℠ Card nor the American Express Platinum Card® is the right choice for you, there are several other compelling travel cards to consider. Let's explore a few top contenders that might better align with your travel style and spending habits.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2888", "2894"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Luxurious Travel Benefits", "2% Cash Back"]} ]]

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score. A good to excellent credit history is typically required for premium travel cards.
• Review the card’s benefits. Ensure the card’s perks, like the United Quest℠ Card's travel credits or The Platinum Card® from American Express's lounge access, align with your habits.
• Understand issuer application rules. Issuers may have policies regarding recent applications or previous card ownership that can affect your eligibility.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application around large, planned purchases to help meet any spending requirements.
• Be mindful of issuer-specific policies, like Chase's 5/24 rule or American Express's welcome offer restrictions.
• Research how you will use the rewards to ensure you get the most value from them.

Our Methodology

‍

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.

‍

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

‍

What are the annual fees for the United Quest℠ Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express?

‍

The United Quest℠ Card has a $250 annual fee, while The Platinum Card® from American Express has a $695 annual fee (See Rates & Fees).

‍

Do both the United Quest℠ Card and Amex Platinum card offer airport lounge access?

‍

Yes, both cards provide lounge access, but their networks are quite different. The Amex Platinum card offers access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection (Terms Apply), while the United Quest℠ Card's benefits are focused on United Airlines.

‍

Can I transfer points from both cards to other loyalty programs?

‍

You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points from the Platinum Card to numerous airline and hotel partners. United MileagePlus miles earned with the Quest Card are specific to United's program and its Star Alliance partners.

‍