The United Quest edges out the Southwest Priority for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 100,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 5x vs 4x). The Southwest Priority is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee.
Southwest Priority 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 Airlines 4x
- Restaurants 2x
- Gas Stations 2x
- Prepaid Hotel Stays (Renowned Hotels) 5x
- United Flights 4x
- Other Travel 2x
- Travel Credit $75
- 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
- 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List statusAfter $5,000 spend
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The United Quest edges out the Southwest Priority for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 100,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 5x vs 4x). The Southwest Priority is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee. On raw upside, United Quest tops out at 5x versus 4x for Southwest Priority. Current signup bonus values are roughly $900 for Southwest Priority and $1000 for United Quest. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/southwest-priority-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 Priority reaches 4x.
- Annual fee: United Quest is $350/yr; Southwest Priority is $229/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $900 and $1000.
Common Questions: Southwest Priority vs United Quest
Is the Southwest Priority or United Quest better for dining?
Southwest Priority earns 2x on dining; United Quest earns 2x on dining. Southwest Priority wins for dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Southwest Priority currently offers 90,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 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 Priority 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.