United Explorer Card vs United Quest Card
Fees, rewards and real yearly value, side by side. Updated October 29, 2026.
United Explorer Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$276/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $660 welcome bonus: $936
United Quest Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$512/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $990 welcome bonus: $1,502
The short answer
- On typical spending, the Chase United Quest Card comes out ahead: about $512 a year after its fee, against $276 for the Chase United Explorer Card.
- The Chase United Explorer Card costs $200 less a year to hold.
Side by side
| United Explorer Card | United Quest Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $350 |
| Rewards | 9x total miles on eligible United flights; 3x miles on all other eligible United purchases | 10x total miles on eligible United flights; 4x miles on all other eligible United purchases |
| Welcome bonus | Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities. | Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities. |
| Credits counted | $30/yr | $466/yr |
| Intro APR | Not applicable | Not listed |
| Regular APR | 19.99% to 28.49% variable | 19.99% to 28.99% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Credit needed | Good/Excellent | Not specified |
Yearly rewards by category
| Category (monthly spend) | United Explorer Card | United Quest Card |
|---|---|---|
| groceries ($500) | $66 | $66 |
| dining ($400) | $106 | $106 |
| gas ($200) | $26 | $26 |
| travel ($300) | $40 | $40 |
| everything else ($1,200) | $158 | $158 |
Yearly value is rewards plus credits you'd realistically use, minus the annual fee, on $2,600/month: $500 groceries, $400 dining, $200 gas, $300 travel, $1,200 everything else. Points use conservative cash values; store-only rewards count at half. How we rank · Use your own spending
Questions people ask
Which is better, the Chase United Explorer Card or the Chase United Quest Card?
On typical spending the Chase United Quest Card is worth more: about $512 a year after its fee, against $276 for the Chase United Explorer Card. Which is better for you depends on where you spend most; see the category answers below.
Which has the lower annual fee?
The Chase United Explorer Card ($150 a year, against $350).
Put any two cards head to head.
Pick any cards, including ones you already hold, and compare them on your own spending.
Open CompareRelated comparisons
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card vs United Explorer Card
- Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard vs United Explorer Card
Card details are collected from issuer websites and were last refreshed October 29, 2026. Terms change often; confirm them with the issuer before you apply.