Chase United Explorer vs Chase United Quest

Verified Oct 16, 2026USD

Both cards valued on the same spending, after fees. Year 1 against every year after shows which one keeps its value once the welcome bonus is gone.

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Chase United Explorer

Chase

United Explorer

$150 fee · yr 1 free

after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.
Year 1estimated value, about $1,519, based on 1.2 cents per point
Year 2+estimated value, about $529, based on 1.2 cents per point
1x
Groc
Groceries
2x
Dine
Dining and takeout
1x
Gas
Gas and EV charging
3x
Air
Flights
2x
Hotel
Hotels and car rentals
1x
Transit
Transit and rideshare
1x
Stream
Streaming
1x
Drug
Drugstores
1x
Online
Online shopping
1x
Bills
Phone, internet and utilities
1x
Other
Everything else
Pays for itself in month 1 · value so far covers fees so far
Year 1Year 2Year 3
Chase United Quest

Chase

United Quest

$350 fee

after fees: After the card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees if you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime) aren't included.
Year 1estimated value, about $1,547, based on 1.2 cents per point
Year 2+estimated value, about $587, based on 1.2 cents per point
1x
Groc
Groceries
2x
Dine
Dining and takeout
1x
Gas
Gas and EV charging
4x
Air
Flights
2x
Hotel
Hotels and car rentals
2x
Transit
Transit and rideshare
2x
Stream
Streaming
1x
Drug
Drugstores
1x
Online
Online shopping
1x
Bills
Phone, internet and utilities
1x
Other
Everything else
Pays for itself in month 2 · value so far covers fees so far
Year 1Year 2Year 3

On a family's spending: Year 1 goes to Chase United Quest, every year after to Chase United Quest, and 3 years to Chase United Quest. Compare them on your own spending

All values are after each card's annual or monthly fee, and foreign transaction fees when you set foreign spending. Additional-card fees and memberships some benefits need (such as Amazon Prime or Instacart+) aren't included.

Rates, fees and offers are set by the issuer and may change. Check the issuer's terms before you apply. We don't estimate approval odds.

Values for points and miles are estimates based on published redemption valuations; actual value depends on how you redeem.

3-year value on each preset

after fees, points at their cash value. "~" marks estimates.

SpendingChase United ExplorerChase United QuestAhead
Student~$512~$490Chase United Explorer
Couple~$2,180~$2,301Chase United Quest
Family~$2,577~$2,720Chase United Quest
Frequent traveller~$3,216~$3,597Chase United Quest
Big spender~$5,281~$5,778Chase United Quest

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Chase United Explorer or Chase United Quest?

Over 3 years, Chase United Explorer comes out ahead on 1 of 5 spending presets and Chase United Quest on 4. On a family's spending ($3,350 a month), Year 1 goes to Chase United Quest and every year after to Chase United Quest.

Why can the winner change after year 1?

Year 1 includes welcome bonuses and first-year fee waivers. From year 2 only rewards on spending, ongoing credits and the full annual fee count, so a card with a bigger bonus can fall behind.

Sources

Estimates for information only; not financial advice. See how cards are ranked.