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Chase and United Airlines launched the United Gateway℠ Card in October 2020, a $0-annual-fee card replacing the United℠ TravelBank Card. Unlike the old card, the United Gateway℠ Card allows cardholders to earn miles within the MileagePlus rewards program. As the only United card available to new applicants with a $0 annual fee, the new card is perfect for occasional travelers who want an airline card affiliated with United Airlines.
Existing United℠ TravelBank Card cardholders, as well as those with a legacy United Mileage Plus® Card , were transitioned to the United Gateway℠ Card in September 2020. Cardholders who previously had the United℠ TravelBank Card will retain any rewards earned on that card.
We highlight what we like about the United Gateway℠ Card, as well as what to watch out for, and present another United Airlines credit card as an alternative so you can decide which card is best for your travel needs.
Intro Purchase APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months
Regular Purchase APR
16.74% - 23.74% Variable
Intro BT APR
N/A
Regular BT APR
16.74% - 23.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Advance Fee
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Sign-up bonus
Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then 16.74% - 23.74% Variable APR. Learn more.
Rewards rate
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Redemption options for United MileagePlus miles include the following:
You can also redeem 11,000 miles to apply for TSA Precheck, which normally costs $85. And you can transfer anywhere from 500 to 100,000 miles to another MileagePlus member.
Annual fee
If you fly United frequently enough to want an airline card, but not so often that it makes sense to pay for a more premium card, you’ll like the United Gateway℠ Card’s annual fee of $0.
No priority boarding
Many airline credit cards offer priority boarding as a benefit, but the United Gateway℠ Card does not.
No waived checked bag fees
Your first checked bag costs $35 when flying United in economy class, or $30 if you pay for the checked bag online at least 24 hours in advance of the flight. Many airline cards offer your first checked bag for free, which can result in substantial savings for frequent travelers. The United Gateway℠ Card does not come with that benefit, however.
No airport lounge access
If you need airport lounge access, don’t expect to find it on a $0-annual-fee card. Travelers hoping to relax at United Club lounges during layovers should look at the United℠ Explorer Card (two one-time passes), which has an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95, or the United Club℠ Infinite Card (unlimited access), which has a $525 annual fee, instead.
Both the United Gateway℠ Card and United℠ Explorer Card earn United MileagePlus miles. However, the United℠ Explorer Card offers a much higher sign-up bonus, as well as an elevated rewards rate on hotel stays. Cardholders earn up to 70,000 bonus miles. Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 miles after you spend $6,000 total on purchases in the first 6 months your account is open. Cardholders can also earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Additionally, the United℠ Explorer Card offers a variety of valuable benefits, including a Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee credit, first checked bag free, priority boarding, two United Club one-time passes each anniversary, premier upgrades on award tickets and more.
Just know, the United℠ Explorer Card charges an annual fee after the first year of card membership of $0 intro for the first year, then $95.
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| United Gateway℠ Card | United℠ Explorer Card | Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card |
|---|---|---|---|
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Apply Now on Chase's secure site
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Apply Now on Citibank's secure site
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| Welcome Offer | |||
| Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then 16.74% - 23.74% Variable APR. Learn more. | Earn up to 70,000 bonus miles. Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 miles after you spend $6,000 total on purchases in the first 6 months your account is open. | Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $500 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. | Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening |
| Rewards Rate | |||
| 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases | Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. | Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services. Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. |
| Annual Fee | |||
| $0 | $0 Intro for the First Year, then $95 | $0 | $0 |
| Intro Purchase APR | |||
| 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Regular APR | |||
| 16.74% - 23.74% Variable | 16.74% - 23.74% Variable | 16.49%-25.49% Variable | 16.74% - 25.74% (Variable) |
| Recommended Credit | |||
| excellent-good | excellent-good | excellent | excellent-good |
| Card Details | |||
| United Gateway℠ Card | United℠ Explorer Card | Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card |
Occasional travelers who enjoy flying on United or with partner airlines in the Star Alliance will find value in the United Gateway℠ Card — it earns miles in useful, everyday spending categories and charges a $0 annual fee.
However, more frequent travelers looking for valuable benefits may benefit from considering the United℠ Explorer Card instead.
While it does charge an annual fee ($0 intro for the first year, then $95), benefits including a free checked bag for you and one companion and reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA Precheck every four years help you recoup that cost.
Meanwhile, travelers who aren’t regular United flyers should check out our list of best airline credit cards to find a card that fits their travel habits. And those who like flexibility in earning travel rewards may prefer a travel card not tied to any specific airline.