Card comparison

Chase United Explorer vs Chase United Quest

Two United MileagePlus cards compared

Verified July 2026

TL;DR — quick verdict

The Chase United Explorer ($150) undercuts the Chase United Quest ($350) on annual fee. Pick the Chase United Explorer for everyday United flights spending (3x); pick the Chase United Quest for everyday United flights spending (10x).

At a Glance

United Explorer Card

Annual Fee
$150
Signup Bonus
50,000 points
Network
Visa
Points Currency
United MileagePlus
Earning Rates
Dining 2x
Hotel Stays 2x
United Flights 3x

United Quest Card

Annual Fee
$350
Signup Bonus
60,000 points
Network
Visa
Points Currency
United MileagePlus
Earning Rates
Other 1x
Dining 2x
Travel 2x
United Flights 10x
Renowned Hotels 5x
United Purchases 4x

Category Breakdown

How they compare across key categories

Annual Fee

Chase United Explorer wins

Chase United Explorer $150 vs Chase United Quest $350

Welcome Bonus

Chase United Quest wins

Chase United Explorer: 50,000 points after $3,000 in 3 months vs Chase United Quest: 60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months

Top Earning Rate

Chase United Quest wins

Chase United Explorer: 3x on United flights vs Chase United Quest: 10x on United flights

Perks & Credits

Chase United Quest wins

Chase United Explorer: 5 listed benefits vs Chase United Quest: 6 listed benefits

=

Transfer Partners

Tie

Chase United Explorer: United MileagePlus (earn directly) vs Chase United Quest: United MileagePlus (earn directly)

Perks & Benefits

United Explorer

  • Free first checked bag ($60)
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit ($120)
  • United Club passes ($118)
  • Inflight dining credit
  • Priority boarding

United Quest

  • United Travel Credit ($200)
  • Award Flight Discount ($150)
  • Free Checked Bags ($90)
  • Renowned Hotels Credit ($150)
  • Instacart Credits ($180)
  • Premier Qualifying Points

Which Is Right for You?

Get the Chase United Explorer if...

  • Lower $150 annual fee
  • Earns 3x on United flights
  • Earns 2x on dining
  • Free first checked bag ($60)

Get the Chase United Quest if...

  • Premium benefits to offset the $350 fee
  • Earns 10x on United flights
  • Earns 5x on Renowned Hotels
  • United Travel Credit ($200)

Related Resources

Amex Points Value

What are Amex points worth?

Chase Points Value

What are Chase points worth?

Search Award Flights

Find available seats

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chase United Explorer or Chase United Quest better?

The Chase United Explorer ($150) undercuts the Chase United Quest ($350) on annual fee. Pick the Chase United Explorer for everyday United flights spending (3x); pick the Chase United Quest for everyday United flights spending (10x). Both earn transferable rewards, so many points collectors hold one from each ecosystem.

Which has the lower annual fee, the Chase United Explorer or Chase United Quest?

The Chase United Explorer has the lower annual fee at $150, versus $350 for the Chase United Quest.

Which card earns points faster?

The Chase United Explorer earns up to 3x on United flights, while the Chase United Quest earns up to 10x on United flights.

Can I have both the Chase United Explorer and the Chase United Quest?

Yes, but mind Chase's 5/24 rule — Chase generally won't approve you for either card if you've opened five or more cards across all issuers in the past 24 months.

Ready to use your points?

Search award flight availability across all partner airlines in one place.

Search award flights

Need More Points?

Earn bonus points with these credit card offers

Can't find availability at your current points balance? These credit cards offer generous welcome bonuses to help you book your dream flight.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Business · Annual fee $895

US only

200,000 points

after $20,000 in 3 months

  • Hotel credit ($600)
  • Dell credit ($1150)
  • Adobe credit ($250)
Learn more & apply

American Express Business Gold Card

Business · Annual fee $375

US only

200,000 points

after $15,000 in 3 months

  • ChatGPT Business Statement Credit ($300)
  • FedEx, Grubhub and Office Supply Statement Credit ($240)
  • Walmart+ Statement Credit ($155)
Learn more & apply

The Platinum Card from American Express

Personal · Annual fee $895

US only

175,000 points

after $12,000 in 6 months

  • Hotel credit ($600)
  • Digital entertainment credit ($300)
  • Uber Cash and One credit ($320)
Learn more & apply

American Express Gold Card

Personal · Annual fee $250

US only

100,000 points

after $8,000 in 6 months

  • Dining credit ($120)
  • Resy credit ($100)
  • Disney Streaming credit ($120)
Learn more & apply

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Personal · Annual fee $95

100,000 points

after $5,000 in 3 months

  • Chase Travel hotel credit ($100)
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit ($120)
  • DoorDash DashPass ($120)
Learn more & apply

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Personal · Annual fee $795

100,000 points

after $6,000 in 3 months

  • Travel credit ($300)
  • The Edit hotel credit ($500)
  • Dining credit ($300)
Learn more & apply

Credit card approval subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply. American Express cards shown are available to US residents only.