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Update: The changes below have now taken effect alongside a portfolio-wide update of all the United cards.
In March 2025, Chase and United are significantly changing how The New United Quest℠ Card and The New United℠ Business Card holders earn and use their travel credits. Cardholders will no longer receive statement credits for making United purchases. Instead, the delivery method is shifting to United TravelBank cash credits. By extension, this means cardholders will have fewer options for using their credits.
Here's what to know about these changes.
United Card Purchase Credits Will Become TravelBank Cash Credits
United and Chase are changing how they deliver the travel credits afforded to cardholders on two MileagePlus co-branded card products. Here's what we know.
How these changes impact the United Quest Card
As of March 24, 2025, cardmembers will receive United TravelBank cash credits of up to $200 rather than a $125 statement credit. These credits can be redeemed on a United- or United Express-operated flight. However, instead of the usual five-year expiration of TravelBank cash, these credits only last for 12 months.
This change takes out a lot of the flexibility of this card benefit, but the increased value of the credit may make this a good tradeoff for some. Previously, ancillary purchases — such as bag fees or in-flight purchases — would trigger this perk. Now, your TravelBank credits can only be used for certain United flight purchases.
Related: United Quest Card Full Review
How these changes impact the United Business Card
As of March 24, 2025, the United Business Card‘s credit has increased from $100 to $125 after making five (instead of seven) United flight purchases of $100 or more during each calendar year. Like the United Quest Card, this perk will now be delivered as TravelBank cash instead of as a statement credit.
The fact that the credit is now limited to certain paid United flights is is a significant downgrade in flexibility. But on the positive side, the face value of the perk has increased by $25 and the requirements to earn it have been reduced.
Related: United Business Card Full Review
How To Use United TravelBank Cash Credits
United MileagePlus members can redeem TravelBank cash credits to pay for United and United Express flights entirely or when co-paying with a credit or debit card. However, travelers cannot combine TravelBank cash with travel certificates, future flight credits, or miles.
And unlike regular travel credits, you cannot use TravelBank cash on award taxes and fees, seat upgrades, in-flight purchases, or any other MileagePlus-related purchase.
Plus, there's a hard expiry; TravelBank credits issued through a United Quest Card or United Business Card expires after just 12 months.
Our Take
This isn't great news for United Quest Card and United Business Card holders.
Instead of using your $200 credit for in-flight purchases, taxes and fees, or other purchases, United Quest Card cardholders can only use the credit toward United- and United Express-operated flights. Likewise, the reward for making eligible purchases on the United Business Card is being updated from a $100 statement credit to a restricted $125 TravelBank credit.
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