United Quest℠ Card
vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

The United Quest℠ Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card are both excellent choices for frequent flyers, offering valuable rewards and benefits.

The United Quest is the better option for those who frequently fly United, thanks to its high rewards on United purchases and substantial travel perks. It offers 3 miles per dollar on United purchases and a $125 annual United credit, which helps offset its $250 annual fee. However, the Rapid Rewards Premier is still worth considering for Southwest loyalists, with its high rewards on Southwest purchases and lower $99 annual fee.

The United Quest is likely to be better for frequent United Airlines travelers who can benefit from its high rewards on United purchases, travel and dining.

It offers valuable perks like free checked bags and an annual United purchase credit, which can offset its $250 annual fee. However, it may not be the best choice for those who don't frequently fly with United or can't justify the higher fee.

The Rapid Rewards Premier is likely to be better for travelers who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines and want to earn rewards on their purchases. It offers high rewards on Southwest purchases and includes benefits like anniversary bonus points and priority boarding.

But it may not be suitable for those who prefer to fly with other airlines or seek more extensive travel perks. The card's limited bonus categories and non-transferrable points might not appeal to users looking for more flexibility in their rewards program.

Point by point comparisons of the United Quest and Rapid Rewards Premier cards cover APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, and more. For instance, if you frequently fly United, the United Quest's 3 miles per $1 on United purchases may be more rewarding than the Rapid Rewards Premier's 3X points on Southwest purchases.

Both the United Quest and Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier cards offer valuable rewards, but the United Quest card generally provides better rewards value due to its higher earning rates on travel and dining. United MileagePlus miles and Southwest Rapid Rewards points are both valued at approximately 1.4 cents each, making them competitive in terms of redemption value.

For those indifferent to the specific airline loyalty programs, the United Quest card's broader travel rewards categories might offer more flexibility. Below is a table summarizing the rewards categories for each card.

Both cards offer flexible redemption options with units that do not expire, adding long-term value. United Quest miles can be used for United flights, hotels, and more, while Rapid Rewards Premier points cover Southwest flights and various other options. The similar unit value makes both cards appealing for frequent travelers.

The United Quest card offers superior benefits with free checked bags and a $125 annual United purchase credit, appealing to frequent travelers. The Rapid Rewards Premier card provides valuable anniversary points and EarlyBird Check-In, catering to budget-conscious travelers. Both cards include priority boarding, but United Quest offers more comprehensive travel insurance.

The United Quest card offers a range of perks that cater to frequent travelers and those seeking to elevate their travel experience.

Travel perks

• Free first and second checked bags save up to $360 per roundtrip, and priority boarding enhances the travel experience

Status

• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) and benefit from the Premier Points Intro Offer to boost your loyalty status

Insurance & protections

• Comprehensive trip insurance and auto rental collision damage waiver provide peace of mind

Credits & discounts

• Enjoy a $125 annual United purchase credit, up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit, and 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases

All other perks

• Up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year and a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership add extra value

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card offers a range of perks that cater to frequent travelers and those loyal to Southwest Airlines.

Travel perks

• EarlyBird Check-In provides priority boarding, enhancing the travel experience
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement and Baggage Delay Insurance offer financial protection during trips

Status

• Unlimited tier qualifying points help earn A-list status
• Companion Pass Intro Offer allows a companion to fly free

Credits & discounts

• 25% back on inflight purchases offers savings on food and beverages
• DoorDash membership provides delivery fee savings

All other perks

• Annual 6,000 anniversary points add value to the cardholder's rewards balance

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.