United Quest Card vs. Discover it Student Cash Back
On the criteria below, United Quest Card wins 3 of 4. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
United Quest Card
Chase
Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover
United Quest Card wins 3 of 4 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
United Quest Card wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, and travel insurance; Discover it Student Cash Back wins on annual fee.
Pick the United Quest Card if year-one math is your priority; take the Discover it Student Cash Back if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
3 vs 1- First-year math United Quest Card
United Quest Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover it Student Cash Back is $350 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling United Quest Card
United Quest Card earns more on its best category (10× vs 5×).
- Travel insurance United Quest Card
United Quest Card carries built-in travel insurance.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $350
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $910
- —
- First-year net
- +$560
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 10×
- 5×
- Top categories
- Airfare, Travel, Hotels Resorts
- Rotating Quarterly
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- None
- Reward currency
- United MileagePlus
- Discover Cashback
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.