United Gateway Card review: No-annual-fee card that earns United miles
Editor's Note
United Gateway Card overview
The United Gateway℠ Card (see rates and fees) is a no-annual-fee airline credit card, ideal for those looking to dip their toes in the United MileagePlus program. If you fly with United Airlines or its Star Alliance partners, the Gateway card can help you boost your stash of miles for future travel. However, there are other cards with more perks available. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The United Gateway Card is best for beginner travelers who want to earn on United purchases and could help beginners rack up miles — even if they aren't constantly in the air.
Like the other United credit cards, the Gateway Card underwent an overhaul earlier this year that altered some of its benefits, making it less attractive for prospective cardholders. However, it's not worth canceling if you already have the card.
TPG recommends you have a credit score of at least 670 to qualify for the United Gateway, but you could still be approved with a lower score.
Let's take a look at the details of this credit card.
United Gateway Card pros and cons
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United Gateway Card welcome offer
With the current welcome bonus for the United Gateway card, you can earn up to $40,000 bonus miles. Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, you'll receive a 0% APR for the first 12 months (then a variable APR of 19.74%-28.24% applies). Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
This welcome bonus is worth up to $540 based on our April 2026 valuations, as we value United miles at 1.35 cents each.
Depending on how you use these miles, you could potentially outsize the stated value of the welcome bonus.
Remember that Chase's 5/24 rule will apply to this card. The offer is not available to current or previous cardholders who received a new bonus within the past 24 months.
Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
United Gateway Card benefits
While you're not going to get United's top-notch premium perks with the Gateway Card, there are still some useful benefits for a no-annual-fee travel card.
You'll receive:
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- United Card Events from Chase and United MileagePlus Events
- 24/7 Visa Concierge service
- Secondary car rental insurance
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Extended warranty protection for up to one year
- Purchase protection against damage and theft for up to 120 days
- No foreign transaction fees
After spending $10,000 in a calendar year with the United Gateway Card, you'll earn two free checked bags, access to special member pricing and elevated earnings on United flight purchases. Spending on this card to reach the checked bag threshold wouldn't earn you much value since there are cards within United's suite that automatically offer free checked bags for a modest annual fee.
Related: Love premium economy? You're not alone. United wants more comfy recliner seats for its planes
Earning miles on the United Gateway Card
The Gateway Card offers several earning categories, from United purchases to everyday expenses:
- 5 total miles total per dollar spent on eligible United flights
- 2 miles per dollar spent on other eligible United purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
- 1 mile per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
While the United Gateway Card earns bonus miles on local transit and gas purchases in addition to United spending, you'll find similar or better earnings on these categories on other travel cards. If you're loyal to United, you may want to consider one of their other cobranded cards that will earn more on United purchases, such as the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees).
Related: The best credit cards for booking flights
Redeeming miles on the United Gateway Card
MileagePlus miles don't expire, so you can rest assured that you can use your rewards in the future if you aren't traveling soon.
United is part of Star Alliance. You can use your hard-earned MileagePlus miles to book partner airlines through United's website, such as Air Canada and Lufthansa.
TPG lead writer Katie Genter recently redeemed United miles for last-minute flights within Europe. She used 6,000 miles and $74 for a flight from Amsterdam to Munich, and 8,000 miles and $56 for a flight from Munich to Barcelona.
Beyond using your miles for reward flights, you can also use them for gift cards, merchandise, upgrades, seat selection, checked bags, TSA PreCheck, a United Club membership, airport dining at select restaurants and bars in Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), inflight dining and inflight Wi-Fi.
However, we generally don't recommend these other redemption options, as you likely won't get as much value as you would if you were to redeem your miles for flights.
Related: How to get maximum value from the United MileagePlus program
Which cards compete with the United Gateway Card?
If you aren't sure the United Gateway Card is for you, you may find a better fit in another United cobranded card or with a no-annual-fee travel card.
- If you want more United benefits: The United Explorer Card comes with a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, a free checked bag for you and one companion traveling on the same reservation and United Club passes. Plus, the card has a $0 intro annual fee and charges $150 each year thereafter. For more details, check out our full review of the United Explorer Card.
- If you want to earn Delta miles: The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a competing airline card with no annual fee (see rates and fees). It also earns bonus miles on Delta and dining purchases at restaurants worldwide. For more details, check out our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex.
- If you want more versatile travel rewards: The no-annual-fee Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers a simple, practical rewards rate. You can transfer your miles to Capital One's airline and hotel partners or redeem your miles for any travel purchases on your statement. For more details, check out our full review of the Capital One VentureOne.
For additional options, check out our full list of best cards for United Airlines flyers and best no-annual-fee airline cards.
Related: Best airline credit cards with annual fees under $100
Is the United Gateway Card worth it?
Since the United Gateway Card doesn't carry an annual fee, you'll receive positive value with the welcome bonus. You'll also get an elevated earnings rate, inflight discounts, purchase protections and travel insurance. However, keep in mind that this card will take up one of your Chase 5/24 slots, so think about how this card fits into your long-term strategy before jumping on it.
Related: The best ways to use your Chase 5/24 slots
Bottom line
If you're considering diversifying your miles portfolio with a United credit card, the United Gateway Card might be a great way to start with the MileagePlus program. As you plan your upcoming trips, this card is certainly worth considering if you are a travel beginner who wants to earn United miles on everyday purchases. However, if you're a United loyalist or want a travel card with more perks, other options may be better for you.
Apply here: United Gateway Card
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card, click here.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.