The United Quest edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 100,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 5x vs 2x). The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee.
Southwest Plus vs United Quest
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
- Southwest Purchases 2x
- Gas Stations and Grocery Stores 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- Prepaid Hotel Stays (Renowned Hotels) 5x
- United Flights 4x
- Other Travel 2x
- United Travel Credit $200
- Statement Credit $150
- Statement Credit $100
- +3 more
- Free First and Second Checked Bags
- Priority Boarding
- 25% Back on United Inflight Purchases
- +1 more
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The United Quest edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 100,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 5x vs 2x). The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee. On raw upside, United Quest tops out at 5x versus 2x for Southwest Plus. Current signup bonus values are roughly $800 for Southwest Plus and $1000 for United Quest. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/southwest-plus-vs-united-quest
- United Quest wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: United Quest reaches 5x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
- Annual fee: United Quest is $350/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $800 and $1000.
Common Questions: Southwest Plus vs United Quest
Is the Southwest Plus or United Quest better for dining?
Southwest Plus has no dining bonus; United Quest earns 2x on dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Southwest Plus currently offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). United Quest offers 100,000 pts signup bonus (spend $4,000 in 3 months). United Quest has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the Southwest Plus and the United Quest?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from Chase, so check their specific application rules.