United Quest℠ Card
vs. AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®

The United Quest℠ Card is the better choice for frequent United Airlines travelers due to its higher rewards on United purchases and valuable travel benefits. It offers 3X miles on United purchases and a $125 United credit, offsetting its $250 annual fee.

The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is still worth considering for American Airlines loyalists, with a lower $99 annual fee and perks like priority boarding and a free checked bag.

MoneyGeek's card comparison breaks down the card details, rewards and perks to help you decide which is right for you.

The United Quest Card is likely to be better suited for frequent United Airlines travelers who want to maximize their rewards and benefits. With 3X miles on United purchases and a $125 annual United purchase credit, it offers substantial value for those who regularly fly with United. However, the $250 annual fee may not be justifiable for those who don't frequently travel with United or can't take full advantage of the card's perks.

The AA Aviator Red World Elite is likely to be better for frequent American Airlines travelers who value perks like priority boarding and a free checked bag. With a lower annual fee of $99, it's more accessible for those who want to enjoy airline benefits without a high cost. However, it may not suit those who spend significantly on non-airline purchases, as it offers limited miles outside of American Airlines transactions.

Point-by-point comparisons of APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features help you determine which card best meets your needs. For instance, if you're focused on earning rewards, the United Quest offers 3X miles on United purchases, while the AA Aviator Red World Elite provides 2X miles on American Airlines purchases.

The United Quest Card offers a higher rewards rate, especially for United purchases and dining. However, the AA Aviator Red World Elite Card provides a solid value for American Airlines loyalists, with miles valued at approximately 1.6 cents. In contrast, United miles are valued at approximately 1.4 cents.

For those indifferent to airline loyalty, the United Quest card's broader rewards categories may provide more flexibility. Below is a table summarizing the bonus categories for each card.

The AA Aviator Red World Elite Card's miles can be redeemed with over 20 partner airlines, but the process can be complex, and alternative options are limited. Miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. In contrast, the United Quest Card offers straightforward redemptions for airfare, hotels and more, with miles that never expire.

The United Quest Card offers superior benefits for travelers, with standout perks like two free checked bags and a $125 annual United purchase credit. Both cards provide travel insurance, but the United Quest's additional perks make it more valuable for frequent United flyers.

Travel Perks

• Free checked first bags for you and a companion
• Preferred boarding for you and up to four companions

Status

• Loyalty Points contribute to earning AAdvantage status
• Companion Certificate after spending $20,000 offers a discounted travel option for a guest

Insurance & Protections

• Comprehensive travel insurance covers trip cancellations, interruptions and baggage delays
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver offers primary coverage for rental cars

Credits & Discounts

• Up to $25 back on inflight Wi-Fi purchases
• 25% inflight savings on food and beverages offer on American Airlines flights

Travel Perks

• Free first checked bag and preferred boarding for the primary cardmember and up to four companions on domestic American Airlines flights

Status

• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every mile earned, contributing to AAdvantage status
• Companion Certificate after spending $20,000 and renewing the card

Insurance & Protections

• Travel coverage includes travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage Delay insurance, and auto rental collision damage waiver

Credits & Discounts

• Up to $25 back as statement credits on inflight Wi-Fi purchases each anniversary year
• 25% inflight savings as statement credits on food and beverages on American Airlines flights

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the 'Airline' category. Several factors determine this score:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.