United Quest vs IHG One Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2025?

IHG One Rewards Premier Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

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• For IHG loyalists, the card provides valuable perks like automatic Platinum Elite status and a fourth reward night free on award stays.
• Cardholders can earn accelerated points on travel, gas, and dining, and they won't pay foreign transaction fees, though the card does carry an annual fee.
• The annual Anniversary Free Night Certificate, for a stay at a property worth up to 40,000 points, can easily offset the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• An annual Anniversary Free Night Certificate and a fourth reward night free on award stays of four nights or more.
• Automatic Platinum Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program, which unlocks perks like room upgrades and late check-out.
• Travel-friendly benefits including a statement credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® application fees and no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• The card charges an annual fee that is not waived in the first year.
• Points have limited transfer partners and provide the best value when redeemed for stays at IHG properties, which may not be ideal for travelers who aren't loyal to the brand.
• Some benefits, like the anniversary free night, have restrictions, and the card lacks the comprehensive travel protections found on other premium travel cards.

IHG One Rewards Premier vs United Quest

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Quest or IHG One Rewards Premier, depends entirely on your travel habits and brand loyalty. One card is built for frequent flyers, while the other is tailored for hotel loyalists.

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• United Quest℠ Card: This card is best for travelers who frequently fly with United Airlines. Its benefits are designed to enhance the flight experience and maximize rewards on United-specific purchases.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is ideal for travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. The perks are centered around hotel stays, providing elite status and opportunities to earn free nights.

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Redemption

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United Quest℠ Card: Rewards are earned as MileagePlus miles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with United and its partner airlines. Miles can also be used for other travel-related purchases, such as seat upgrades and hotel stays, through the United portal.

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points are redeemed for stays across IHG's vast portfolio of hotels and resorts worldwide. Cardholders can also use points for other travel experiences or merchandise, though hotel nights typically offer the best value.

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Travel Perks

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• United Quest℠ Card: The travel ecosystem is tailored for the frequent United flyer. Key perks include an annual United purchase credit and two 5,000-mile anniversary award credits after renewing your card. For the airport experience, it offers a first and second checked bag free for the cardholder and one companion, along with priority boarding. The card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card’s benefits are centered on IHG Hotels & Resorts. Its standout features include an Anniversary Free Night certificate each year after your account anniversary and a fourth-night-free benefit on award stays. Cardholders also receive automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, which comes with its own set of on-property perks. This card also has no foreign transaction fees.
• Shared Benefits: Both cards provide a statement credit for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, helping to streamline the airport security process.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To help you decide, tools like Kudos allow you to compare thousands of top-rated cards in one place.

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• The platform’s 'Test Drive' feature lets you simulate how much you’d earn with a new card based on your actual spending history, all before you apply.
• Members get access to detailed approval odds analysis based on their credit report.
• You can also track your progress toward sign-up bonuses and earn extra rewards through the Kudos Boost program.
• Kudos also provides a welcome offer guarantee, matching any better public offer you find within three months of approval.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is best suited for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize their rewards and enjoy premium travel perks without paying for top-tier lounge access. This card is a great fit for travelers who value benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, comprehensive travel protections, and potential upgrades. It's also ideal for MileagePlus members looking for a faster way to earn elite status through spending, and who can easily offset the annual fee with the card's credits and their travel patterns.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay at IHG properties such as Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and Kimpton. These cardholders can maximize value through perks like automatic Platinum Elite status and the fourth-night-free benefit on award stays. For those who can leverage its key benefits, like the annual free night certificate, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card can easily justify its annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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The United Quest vs IHG One Rewards Premier comparison highlights two strong contenders, but they might not be the perfect fit for every traveler. If you're still searching for the right card, here are a few other excellent options to consider.

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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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer without overspending.
• Assess your loyalty - Co-branded cards offer the most value when you frequently use that specific airline or hotel.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some banks have restrictions on how many cards you can open in a certain period.
• Time your application with travel - Apply before booking a big trip to maximize travel credits and benefits.
• Look beyond the welcome offer - Understand the card's long-term perks to see if it fits your lifestyle.

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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Can I transfer points between United and IHG?

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No, you cannot directly transfer United MileagePlus miles to IHG One Rewards points or vice versa. The two loyalty programs are distinct and do not have a direct transfer partnership.

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Which card offers better travel insurance protections?

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Both cards provide a suite of travel protections, but the specifics differ. You should review the guide to benefits for each card to see which coverages, like trip cancellation or baggage delay reimbursement, best align with your travel patterns.

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Do the annual credits on the United Quest Card expire?

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Yes, the United Quest℠ Card's travel credits, such as the annual United purchase credit and the anniversary award credits, operate on an anniversary year basis. Unused credits do not roll over to the next year.

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