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United Quest vs Wyndham Earner Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- United Quest℠ Card: This card is ideal for frequent United Airlines flyers looking to maximize travel rewards and enjoy premium airline perks.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: This card is best for travelers who frequently stay at Wyndham properties and want to earn bonus points on gas, dining, and grocery purchases.
United Quest Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the United Quest℠ Card stands out in a crowded field of travel cards.
- The card delivers strong value for United loyalists through a generous annual United purchase credit and accelerated mileage earning on United purchases.
- While the card carries an annual fee, it eliminates foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel.
- With up to two free checked bags for you and a companion, a single roundtrip flight can save you up to $320, which can more than cover the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- The card includes a robust suite of travel protections, offering peace of mind with coverage for trip cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.
- Cardholders can earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) through spending, providing a shortcut to achieving MileagePlus Premier status.
- Enjoy valuable travel perks like priority boarding and complimentary Premier upgrades on award tickets for eligible members.
Cons
- The card’s benefits are heavily centered around United Airlines, which may not be ideal for travelers who aren’t loyal to the airline.
- Unlike some competing travel cards, it does not offer complimentary, unlimited airport lounge access.
- A high spending threshold is required to unlock the card's most valuable rewards and perks.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons we like the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card.
- You'll earn an accelerated rate of points on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries.
- Cardholders receive automatic Wyndham Rewards Platinum status and pay no foreign transaction fees, though the card does have an annual fee.
- The 7,500 bonus points you receive each anniversary year are enough for up to one free night, which can easily offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Generous rewards on gas, dining, and grocery purchases.
- Complimentary Platinum elite status in the Wyndham Rewards program, which unlocks perks like late checkout.
- Annual bonus points awarded each anniversary and no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Cons
- Charges an annual fee.
- Lacks a free anniversary night certificate, a common perk on competing hotel cards.
- Rewards are best for Wyndham loyalists and offer limited flexibility for other travel.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus vs United Quest
Categories
The answer to which is better, United Quest or Wyndham Earner Plus, depends entirely on your spending and travel patterns.
- United Quest℠ Card This card is designed for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize travel rewards and enjoy premium travel benefits.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card This card is ideal for those who frequently stay at Wyndham properties and want to earn rewards on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries.
Redemption
United Quest℠ Card: Rewards are redeemed as miles that can be used for flights on United and its partner airlines. Miles can also be applied toward other travel expenses, such as seat upgrades or in-flight purchases.
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: Points are primarily redeemed for free or discounted nights at participating Wyndham hotels and resorts. You can also use points for gift cards, merchandise, and other travel experiences.
Travel Perks
- Travel Portals: The United Quest℠ Card provides access to the United Airlines booking portal, where miles can be used for flights on United and its Star Alliance partners. In contrast, the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card utilizes the Wyndham Rewards portal for redeeming points on hotel stays, tours, and other activities.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: For international travelers, the United Quest℠ Card is a strong contender as it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card, however, does include a foreign transaction fee for purchases made abroad.
- Elite Status and Perks: The United Quest℠ Card is packed with airline-specific benefits, such as statement credits for United purchases, free checked bags, and priority boarding. The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card grants automatic Wyndham Rewards Platinum status, offering perks like early check-in and late checkout at participating hotels.
- Airport Lounge Access: Neither the United Quest℠ Card nor the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card includes complimentary airport lounge access as a standard benefit.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, a financial companion that helps you compare thousands of credit cards based on your actual spending habits.
- Test Drive Feature: Simulate how much you could earn with a new card using your real spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
- Personalized Recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending history.
- Approval Odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when shopping at your favorite stores.
- Financial Dashboard: Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and manage all your card perks in one place.
Who Should Choose the United Quest?
The United Quest℠ Card is designed for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to elevate their travel experience and maximize rewards. It's particularly valuable for travelers who can take full advantage of benefits like the annual United purchase credit, free checked bags, and the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) through spending. Ultimately, this card is a strong choice for MileagePlus members seeking premium perks and accelerated rewards without committing to a top-tier annual fee.
Who Should Choose the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus?
The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay at Wyndham properties and want to maximize their rewards, as detailed in NerdWallet's review. It's also a strong choice for those whose everyday spending is concentrated on gas, dining, and groceries, as the card offers accelerated points in these categories. Ultimately, brand loyalists who value automatic Platinum elite status and the annual 7,500 bonus points will find this card to be a rewarding addition to their wallet.
Alternatives to Consider
If our United Quest vs Wyndham Earner Plus comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards on the market that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.
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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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most premium cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Review issuer-specific rules – Issuers like Chase may have application limits that affect your eligibility.
- Assess the card’s ecosystem – Ensure the benefits align with your habits, like flying with United or staying at Wyndham hotels.
Application Strategy
- Time your application – Apply before a large purchase to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement.
- Maximize immediate value – Plan how you will use key benefits like annual credits or elite status right away.
- Look for elevated offers – Welcome offers can vary, so check for the highest bonus available before applying.
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
How do I decide between the United MileagePlus and Wyndham Rewards loyalty programs?
Your choice should depend on your travel habits. If you frequently fly with United or its Star Alliance partners, MileagePlus offers more value, while Wyndham Rewards is better if you prefer staying at Wyndham's diverse portfolio of hotels.
Can I transfer points from these cards to other loyalty programs?
United MileagePlus points can be redeemed with Star Alliance partners but cannot be transferred to other loyalty programs. Conversely, Wyndham Rewards points offer more flexibility by allowing transfers to several partner airline programs.
What happens to my points if I cancel my United Quest or Wyndham Earner Plus card?
Since your points are held in your United MileagePlus and Wyndham Rewards loyalty accounts, they are separate from your credit card. Closing your card will not cause you to lose your points, provided your loyalty accounts remain active according to program rules.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.














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