United Quest vs United Club: Which Is Better In 2025?

United Club Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2410", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "United Loyalists", "headerHint": "Top-Tier Card"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a breakdown of why we think this card is a top choice for United flyers.

‍

• You get complimentary United Club membership, giving you access to over 45 United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide.
• While it comes with an annual fee, the card offers valuable perks like free first and second checked bags for you and a companion on the same reservation.
• The value of the United Club membership alone is worth up to $650, which nearly covers the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Enjoy complimentary United Club membership, which grants you access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide.
• Benefit from Premier Access® travel services—including priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling—plus free first and second checked bags for you and a companion.
• Travel with peace of mind thanks to a suite of protections, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

‍

Cons

‍

• A significant annual fee that requires frequent use of the card's top perks to offset the cost.
• Benefits are heavily skewed toward United Airlines, making it less valuable for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline.
• Offers fewer bonus categories for earning miles compared to some competing premium travel cards.

United Club vs United Quest

‍

Categories

‍

When deciding between these two premium United cards, the question of which is better, United Quest or United Club, often comes down to your travel frequency and desired perks.

‍

• United Quest℠ Card is designed for frequent United Airlines travelers who fly several times a year. It's ideal for those looking to maximize travel rewards and enjoy valuable perks without needing airport lounge access.
• The United Club℠ Card is the top-tier option for United loyalists and business travelers who prioritize airport comfort. Its main draw is premium services, including comprehensive airport lounge access.

‍

Redemption

‍

United Quest℠ Card: This card helps you maximize MileagePlus miles for award travel and offers statement credits that directly reduce the cost of United purchases.

‍

The United Club℠ Card: While it earns miles, this card's primary value comes from redeeming its built-in premium benefits, like the United Club membership, for a more comfortable travel experience.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Lounge Access: The United Club℠ Card is the clear winner here, providing a full United Club membership with access to participating lounges. The United Quest℠ Card does not include a lounge membership, catering instead to travelers who don't prioritize this perk.
• Travel Credits: With the Quest Card, you receive annual statement credits for United purchases, which directly reduces your travel costs. The Club Card’s value is less about direct credits and more about the intrinsic worth of its premium benefits, chiefly the lounge membership.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent companions for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States.
• Booking and Redemption: Cardholders of both products use the same United Airlines travel portal to book flights and redeem MileagePlus miles, ensuring a consistent experience within the United ecosystem.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare thousands of credit cards based on your personal spending habits.

‍

• The platform’s ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate how much you’d earn with a new card by analyzing your real transaction history—all without a hard credit pull or application.
• Receive personalized card recommendations and detailed approval odds based on your credit report and spending patterns.
• Track your progress toward credit card sign-up bonuses and monitor your credit score for free.
• Access a welcome offer guarantee, which matches any better public offer you find within three months of approval.
• Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores, which stack on top of your existing card rewards.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

‍

The United Quest℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who can take full advantage of its airline-specific perks. These travelers value benefits like the annual United purchase credit, up to two free checked bags for themselves and a companion, and the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) toward MileagePlus Premier status. Ultimately, it's an ideal choice for loyal United customers whose spending and travel habits easily offset the annual fee in exchange for significant savings and an elevated travel experience.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

‍

The United Club℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United flyers, particularly business travelers who consistently choose the airline for work. It also strongly appeals to international travelers who value Star Alliance lounge access and those looking to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward MileagePlus Premier status. Ultimately, this card is for anyone whose travel patterns align closely with United and its partners, allowing them to maximize perks like lounge access and free checked bags.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our United Quest vs. United Club comparison has left you feeling that neither card is the perfect copilot for your travels, don't worry. Several other excellent travel rewards cards might better suit your spending habits and travel style.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score since premium travel cards like these typically require a good to excellent score for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can comfortably meet the minimum spend requirement for the welcome offer without overspending.
• Review the card’s benefits to confirm they align with your travel habits, especially if you are a frequent United Airlines flyer.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Assess your travel style - decide if you prioritize full lounge access or other travel credits to choose the right card.
• Know the issuer’s rules - be aware of application restrictions that could affect your eligibility for a new card.
• Time your application - apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement naturally.

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

‍

Can I have both the United Quest Card and a United Club membership?

‍

Yes, you can hold both the United Quest℠ Card and a separate United Club℠ membership at the same time. While having both may be redundant for some travelers, it is permitted by United.

‍

Do the benefits of the United Quest Card and United Club membership stack?

‍

The benefits do not typically stack to provide double value, as they often cover similar perks like lounge access or free checked bags. For example, you cannot combine the checked bag allowances from both to check additional bags for free.

‍

Which is better for someone who only flies United a few times a year?

‍

For infrequent United flyers, the United Quest℠ Card often provides better overall value due to its travel credits and rewards on spending, which can offset the annual fee even with limited travel. A full United Club℠ membership is generally best for those who fly often enough to maximize lounge access.

‍