United Quest vs. United Club Infinite: Size Matters

The United Club℠ Infinite Card debuted in March 2020, while the United Quest℠ Card was introduced in April 2021 as a new option that bridges the gap between United's entry-level and premium card offerings.

For dedicated United travelers considering whether to choose one card over the other, this guide will assist you in deciding which option suits you best.

Comparing United Quest and United Club Infinite

Card Comparison: United Quest vs. United Club Infinite Annual Fee $250 $525 Sign-Up Bonus Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account opening. 4 miles per dollar on United purchases.

2 miles for every dollar spent on all other travel

2 miles for each dollar spent on dining

1 mile for every dollar spent on all other purchases

Benefits Annual credit of $125 for United purchases

Earn 25 Premier qualifying points for every $500 spent, with a cap of 6,000 PQPs per calendar year

Receive 5,000 miles back when booking a United award flight, available up to twice a year after your first anniversary

First and second checked bags are complimentary

Get up to $100 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus application fees

Enjoy 25% back on in-flight purchases with United

Enjoy complimentary Premier upgrades on United award flights when available

Benefit from priority boarding

No fees for foreign transactions

Membership to United Club

Earn 25 Premier qualifying points for every $500 spent, with a cap of 10,000 PQPs in a calendar year

Free checked bags for the first and second pieces

Premier Access travel services for priority check-in, security screening (when available), boarding, and baggage handling

25% discount on United in-flight purchases

Receive up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus

Complimentary Premier upgrades on award flights for United elite members

10% off on United Economy Saver Awards

Increased award availability

IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status along with a $75 IHG credit

Access to Avis President's Club

No fees for foreign transactions

Travel protections Insurance for trip cancellation/interruption

Coverage for baggage delay

Reimbursement for lost luggage

Compensation for trip delays

Primary coverage for auto rental collision damage

Protection for purchases

Warranty extension protection

Insurance for trip cancellation/interruption

Coverage for baggage delays

Reimbursement for lost luggage

Reimbursement for trip delays

Primary coverage for collision damage on rental cars

Protection for your purchases

Extended warranty coverage

Protection for returns

Welcome bonus comparison: United Quest vs. United Club Infinite

The United Quest Card offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. According to TPG's valuations, these bonus miles are valued at $810.

The United Club Infinite Card provides a sign-up bonus of 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's valuations, these miles are worth $1,080.

Winner: Infinite. Its welcome bonus holds greater value.

Benefits of United Quest vs. United Club Infinite

Both cards provide advantages tailored for United travelers, so let’s first examine their shared benefits.

Each card includes a free first and second checked bag, priority boarding, a 25% discount on United in-flight purchases, a credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, no foreign transaction fees, complimentary upgrades on award flights (when available), and increased award availability.

With the Quest card, you earn 25 PQPs for every $500 spent, up to a maximum of 6,000 PQPs in a calendar year, whereas the Infinite card allows for a higher limit of 10,000 PQPs.

A key distinction between the two cards is their annual fees: the Quest has a fee of $250, while the Infinite costs $525.

Regarding lounge access, the Infinite provides a full United Club membership, whereas the Quest does not offer any lounge membership or one-time United Club passes.

The Infinite card offers additional United benefits, such as priority check-in and baggage handling, IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status with a $75 statement credit, a 10% discount on Economy Saver Awards, and elite status with Avis President's Club.

While both cards feature a range of travel protections, the United Club Infinite has superior coverage for trip cancellation and interruption insurance. The Quest offers up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip, while the Infinite provides $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.

Furthermore, the United Club Infinite includes return protection, which the Quest does not offer.

Winner: Infinite. Its benefits are superior.

Earning miles with United Quest vs. United Club Infinite

Both United cards offer bonus miles for United purchases and 2 miles per dollar spent on other travel-related expenses (including airfare, trains, local transit, cruises, hotels, car rentals, taxis, resorts, ride-sharing services, and tolls) as well as dining, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

However, there are differences in earning rates between the two cards. The United Quest Card earns 3 miles per dollar on United purchases and 2 miles per dollar on select streaming services, while the United Club Infinite Card earns 4 miles per dollar on United purchases but does not provide bonus miles on streaming.

According to TPG's valuation of United miles at 1.35 cents each, the Quest Card offers a 4% return on United purchases, 2.7% on dining, select streaming services, and other travel, along with 1.35% on all other purchases. In contrast, the United Club Infinite Card provides a 5.4% return on United purchases and 2.7% on other travel and dining expenses.

These earning rates may not be particularly enticing unless you require United miles for an upcoming redemption. For better earning potential, consider using cards from the Chase Trifecta or Chase Quartet and then transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United miles.

Winner: Infinite. Its earning rates on United purchases are superior.

Redeeming miles with United Quest vs. United Club Infinite

Both cards enable you to accumulate United miles through your credit card spending, which are automatically credited to your MileagePlus account. You can redeem these miles for flights with United, United Express, Star Alliance carriers, and partner airlines.

When redeeming United miles, you'll find the best value by booking saver-level tickets, as they are the least expensive option. However, United's recent devaluations have significantly impacted redemption costs, with some awards increasing by as much as 122%.

Winner: Tie. Both cards accumulate United miles, redeemable through the MileagePlus program.

Should I choose the United Quest or United Club Infinite?

If you're looking to earn United miles and enjoy priority boarding along with two free checked bags while flying United regularly, the United Quest Card is ideal for you. Conversely, if you are a devoted United frequent flyer, the United Club Infinite Card offers the same benefits as the Quest, plus a United Club membership, improved earning rates on United purchases, and several additional perks.

Final thoughts

In most cases, I would suggest the United Club Infinite Card over the United Quest Card because of its larger sign-up bonus, United Club membership, and slightly more advantageous earning structure.

If access to the United Club isn’t a top priority for you, the more affordable Quest card may be the better option.

For additional information, check out our comprehensive reviews of the United Quest and United Club Infinite.