Editorial take: United Quest Card
If you fly United 3+ times a year, the $125 travel credit, two free bags, and 10k miles of rebates on award flights ($100+ in direct value) make this card pay for itself.
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Side-by-side
United Quest Card vs USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Both are well-respected travel cards. The United Quest Card comes from Chase at $350/yr; the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards from USAA at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the United Quest Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($700 more in estimated value) than the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards's. Get the United Quest Card first; revisit the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | United Quest Card | USAA Preferred Cash Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $350 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 70,000 miles + 500 PQP | $250 cash bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $950 | $250 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $4,000 in 3 mo | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | USAA |
| Card category | travel | cashback |
| Best earning category (Dining) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | mileageplus | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
United Quest Card
$350/yr · 70,000 miles + 500 PQP
Read the full review
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
$0/yr · $250 cash bonus
Editorial take: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, United Quest Card or USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- The United Quest Card has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + 500 PQP, worth roughly $950, versus $250 cash bonus (~$250) on the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards.
- Is the United Quest Card's $350 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- At $350/yr, the United Quest Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the United Quest Card and USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and USAA) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the United Quest Card or the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. United Quest Card: $4,000 spend in 3 months. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards: $1,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.