United Quest℠ Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is Delta’s upper mid-tier offering, though its $350 annual fee is substantially higher (Terms apply, see rates & fees) than the United Quest℠ Card.
When it comes to earning miles, the cards are comparable. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers 3 miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2 miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchases. While the United Quest℠ Card doesn’t offer increased earnings for supermarket spending, the 2 United miles per dollar earned on travel, including hotels, car rentals and other airlines, could eclipse additional earnings on groceries for a frequent traveler.
In terms of benefits, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers the better value proposition. Most impressively, the card offers an annual Companion Certificate that allows you to bring along a friend for just the cost of taxes and fees (max $250) on any Delta-operated round-trip coach flight within the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii) or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America. The card also provides up to $120 in annual rideshare credits with enrollment ($10 per month for Uber, Lyft and other partners), up to $120 in annual Resy credits ($10 per month to be used at participating restaurants, enrollment required) and up to $150 in annual Delta Stay credits (to offset prepaid hotel stays booked through Delta).
While the United Quest℠ Card may have technically less value to offer, its benefits are easier to use. The up to $125 credit to offset United Airlines purchases goes a long way to offset the card’s annual fee—as does its two free checked bags perk on United flights for the cardholder and a companion. And the up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year will automatically activate for United award flights after the first cardmember anniversary.
United Quest℠ Card vs. United Club℠ Infinite Card
If you’re a frequent United Airlines flyer, you may also be interested in the United Club℠ Infinite Card, United’s ultra-premium card.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card matches the mileage earnings of the United Quest℠ Card on travel but boosts earnings on United purchases to 4 miles per dollar. The United Club℠ Infinite Card includes most of the travel benefits of the United Quest Card, including two free checked bags for the cardmember and a companion, up to a $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit and a suite of travel and purchase insurance benefits including a primary auto rental collision damage waiver.
Notably absent are the two 5,000-mile reward flight credits each cardmember year.
The most compelling reason to choose the United Club℠ Infinite Card is the United Club membership, which provides United Club access for the cardholder and a traveling companion. If you travel often, having lounge access can provide incredible value, both as a refuge to get work done and as a place to get in-person rebooking assistance in the case of flight cancellations and delays.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card has an annual fee of $525 and currently offers a welcome bonus of 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
United Quest℠ Card vs. American Express® Green Card*
For the frequent traveler wanting a single card for travel expenses but who flies only occasionally on United Airlines, consider the American Express® Green Card*.
The American Express® Green Card* earns American Express Membership Rewards, a transferable points program allowing you access to awards across a various airlines and hotels, in addition to other redemption options. The Amex Green Card earns 3 points per dollar on travel and transit including flights, hotels, taxis, rideshare services, trains, parking and more, 3 points per dollar on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
The Amex Green Card offers two annual credits that frequent travelers can use: Up to $199 annual statement credits toward membership in CLEAR® Plus and an up to $100 LoungeBuddy credit that can be used to purchase airport lounge access passes through the LoungeBuddy app.
The American Express® Green Card* might be a better card for you if you fly frequently across several airlines and won’t make use of the free checked bag benefit of the United Quest℠ Card, but will use the CLEAR and LoungeBuddy credits.
The American Express Green card has an annual fee of $150 and offers a welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor
