Card comparison

Chase United Explorer vs Chase United Quest

Two United MileagePlus cards compared

Verified October 2026

TL;DR — quick verdict

Both the Chase United Explorer and Chase United Quest carry a $0 annual fee. Pick the Chase United Explorer for everyday dining spending (2x); pick the Chase United Quest for everyday united purchases spending (3x).

At a Glance

United Explorer Card

Annual Fee: $0
Signup Bonus: 60,000 points
Network: Visa
Points Currency: United MileagePlus
Earning Rates: Dining 2x

Hotels 2x

Everything Else 1x

United Purchases 2x

United Quest Card

Annual Fee: $0
Signup Bonus: 60,000 points
Network: Visa
Points Currency: United MileagePlus
Earning Rates: Dining 2x

Travel 2x

Everything Else 1x

United Purchases 3x

Category Breakdown

How they compare across key categories

Annual Fee

Tie

Chase United Explorer $0 vs Chase United Quest $0

Welcome Bonus

Tie

Chase United Explorer: 60,000 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: 2x on dining vs Chase United Quest: 3x on united purchases

Perks & Credits

Chase United Explorer wins

Chase United Explorer: 5 listed benefits vs Chase United Quest: 4 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
Priority boarding
2 United Club passes per year
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
25% back on United inflight purchases

United Quest

$200 United travel credit
Two 5,000-mile award flight credits per year
Free first and second checked bags
Priority boarding

Which Is Right for You?

Get the Chase United Explorer if...

Earns 2x on dining
Earns 2x on hotels
Free first checked bag

Get the Chase United Quest if...

Earns 3x on united purchases
Earns 2x on dining
$200 United travel credit

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?

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

Both cards have a $0 annual fee.

Which card earns points faster?

The Chase United Explorer earns up to 2x on dining, while the Chase United Quest earns up to 3x on united purchases.

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 earn points you can put towards your next flight.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Personal · Annual fee $895

US only

175,000 points

after $12,000 in 6 months

Airline incidentals credit ($200)
Uber credit ($200)
Lounge access

Learn more & apply

American Express Gold Card

Personal · Annual fee $325

US only

100,000 points

after $8,000 in 6 months

Dining credit ($120)
Resy credit ($100)
Dunkin credit ($84)

Learn more & apply

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Personal · Annual fee $795

100,000 points

after $6,000 in 3 months

Annual Travel Credit ($300)
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit ($120)
The Edit Hotel Credit ($500)

Learn more & apply

Chase Ink Business Preferred®

Business · Annual fee $95

100,000 Ultimate Rewards points

after $8,000 in purchases in the first 3 months

3x points on travel & shipping
3x points on advertising
3x points on internet/cable/phone

Learn more & apply

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Personal · Annual fee $95

75,000 points

after $5,000 in 3 months

Hotel credit ($50)
DoorDash DashPass
Peloton credit ($60)

Learn more & apply

Capital One Venture Rewards

Personal · Annual fee $95

75,000 points

after $4,000 in 3 months

Capital One Travel 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.