When deciding which of United Airlines ' many cobranded credit cards to open an account with, many will often choose to start with the MileagePlus Explorer Card. This payment method comes with very reasonable benefits given its low annual fee of just $99. However, this card falls far short of the most premium amenities , including lounge access, status boosts, etc.

The United Explorer Card from Chase offers United Airlines MileagePlus members the opportunity to earn miles and provides free checked bags, among other benefits. As a result, many will naturally choose to upgrade to the United Quest Card, which comes along with a higher annual fee but offers much, much more in terms of inflight and award benefits. This card allows one to rapidly build up status, accrue miles and status-qualifying Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) , and even receive valuable rebates on all purchases, whether with miles or cash.

The United Quest Card offered by Chase for the United Airlines MileagePlus Program provides perks and an annual statement credit. A second upgrade is often a consideration However, the benefits of the Quest Card often fall far short of what is demanded by the most premium-oriented leisure travelers and high-volume business travelers. While the card does provide good value, it does not offer access to United's flagship lounge, the United Club, to which the United Club Infinite Card offers complete and unrestricted access.

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