
United Gateway℠ Card
Rating
2x miles on United® purchases, at gas stations, and on local transit and commuting. 1x mile on all other purchases.
The United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level airline credit card designed for occasional United Airlines flyers. Here's a comprehensive overview of the card:
Rewards Structure
- 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases
- 2x miles per $1 spent at gas stations
- 2x miles per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxis, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit
- 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
This reward structure provides decent earning potential for United loyalists and those with significant spending on gas and commuting.
Key Benefits
- No annual fee
- 25% back as a statement credit on United inflight purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
Welcome Bonus
Limited-time Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Additional Perks
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 20.99%-27.99%
- Access to exclusive cardmember experiences
- Expanded award availability on United flights
Who Should Consider This Card
The United Gateway℠ Card is ideal for:
- Occasional United flyers who want to earn miles without paying an annual fee
- Those new to airline rewards programs
- Consumers who spend significantly on gas and commuting
- Travelers looking for basic travel protections without high costs
Drawbacks
- No free checked bags or priority boarding privileges
- Limited travel benefits compared to premium United cards
- Rewards have limited flexibility outside the United ecosystem
Conclusion
The United Gateway℠ Card offers a solid entry point into the United MileagePlus program without the burden of an annual fee. It provides a decent reward rate for United purchases and everyday spending categories like gas and commuting. While it lacks some premium travel perks on higher-tier United cards, it offers valuable benefits such as travel protections and no foreign transaction fees. This card presents an attractive option for those who fly United occasionally and want to start earning miles without committing to an annual fee.
Pros
No annual fee: Allows cardholders to earn United miles without the financial commitment of higher-tier United cards
2x miles on gas and local transit/commuting: Provides increased earning potential on everyday expenses
25% back on United inflight purchases: Offers savings on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi during United flights
Cons
No free checked baggage benefit: Unlike many airline co-branded cards, even at higher fee tiers
Limited travel perks: Lacks premium travel benefits such as priority boarding or lounge access
Lower earning rate on United purchases: 2x miles per dollar on United purchases is lower than the 3x or 4x offered by some competing airline cards
