United Quest
Issued by Chase
$860/year in trackable credits — never leave money on the table
Earning Categories
Current Welcome Bonus
100,000 miles after $4,000 spend in 3 months. Requires flight attendant ID.
Year 1 net value: +$560 (bonus − annual fee)
Bonus Earning During Intro Period
Statement Credits
$200 annual United travel credit
Up to $150 for Renowned Hotels
Up to $100 rideshare credit
Up to $80 Avis/Budget rental credit
Up to $180 Instacart credits
Up to $150 JSX flight credit
Card Perks
Free first and second checked bags for cardholder and one companion on the same reservation (save up to $360/roundtrip for 2)
Group 2 priority boarding for cardholder and companions on the same reservation
25% back as a statement credit on United inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
Earn up to 6,000 PQPs (3,000 per $12,000 spend, up to 2 times) per year toward United MileagePlus status
Maximize Your United MileagePlus Points
Program Overview
United MileagePlus is United Airlines' loyalty program and one of the most popular Star Alliance programs. Award pricing is dynamic but generally follows predictable patterns for saver-level awards. Key strengths: - Extensive Star Alliance partner network (26+ airlines) - Excursionist Perk: Free stopover on round-trip international itineraries - Dynamic pricing with saver-level awards still available - No close-in booking fees - MileagePlus miles can be earned through Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers - United Polaris business class is an excellent long-haul product
Earning Tips
Card stacking strategy: Premium cards: - United Explorer: 2x on United, hotels, dining, streaming; 1x everything else; free checked bag + boarding priority - United Quest: 3x on United, 2x dining/hotels/streaming; premier upgrades; 2 free checked bags - United Club Infinite: 4x on United, 2x dining/hotels; United Club access; premier upgrades Business card: - United Business: 2x on United, dining, gas, office supplies, local transit Key tips: - United cards earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) toward status through spending - Free checked bags save $70+ per round-trip - Premier Upgrades on Quest/Club Infinite provide complimentary upgrades when available - Stack with Chase Sapphire for non-United spending, transfer UR to United as needed - United.com shopping portal earns bonus miles on online purchases
Redemption Tips
Best redemption values: Domestic saver awards: - 5,000 miles one-way for short-haul economy (under 700 miles) - 12,500 miles one-way for standard domestic economy - Dynamic pricing means prices vary; search flexible dates for saver availability International sweet spots: - United Polaris business class to Europe: 60,000 miles one-way (saver) - Star Alliance partner business class to Asia: 75,000-90,000 miles one-way - Excursionist Perk: Free stopover in a connecting city on round-trip international awards Star Alliance partner awards: - ANA first class: ~88,000 miles one-way (when available) - Lufthansa first class: Book when released close-in - Singapore Airlines: Premium economy sweet spot at ~50,000 miles - EVA Air business class to Asia: Excellent product at saver rates Close-in bookings: - No close-in booking fee (unlike some programs) - Last-minute saver awards appear when flights aren't full Avoid: - Dynamic pricing on popular routes during peak times (prices can be 3-5x saver level) - Upgrading with miles on basic economy tickets (not allowed) - Purchasing miles at standard price (wait for promotions)
Transfer Strategy
United MileagePlus is a destination program: Inbound transfers: - Chase Ultimate Rewards: 1:1 (primary feeder) - Bilt Rewards: 1:1 - Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 (60K → 25K with bonus) Outbound transfers: - MileagePlus does not transfer to other programs Strategy tips: - Chase UR to United at 1:1 is the primary way to build up a MileagePlus balance - Bilt offers another 1:1 option - Only transfer when you have a specific award in mind - United often has saver availability that other Star Alliance programs don't show - Book directly on United.com for the widest partner availability display
Recommended Cards
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Chase
Upgrade to Club card for United Club membership (lounge access) and 4 club passes annually
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Related guide: Booking United Airlines Flights with Partner Miles
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