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Capital One Quicksilver vs United Gateway: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a straightforward choice for everyday spenders who want to earn a simple, flat-rate cash back reward on every purchase without tracking categories.
The United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level travel card for those looking to earn United MileagePlus miles on purchases like flights, gas, and local transit, all with no annual fee.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card(See Rates & Fees).
- It offers a straightforward way to earn cash back on every purchase without needing to track complicated categories.
- The card is a great option for avoiding certain common fees, both at home and while traveling abroad.
- Cardholders can take advantage of flexible redemption options for the rewards they earn.
Pros
- Earn straightforward, flat-rate cash back on everything you buy, with no need to sign up for or track rotating categories.
- It's a travel-friendly card that helps you avoid certain common fees when making purchases abroad.
- Rewards are simple to redeem and last for the life of the account, and the card includes a complimentary Uber One membership.
Cons
- The flat-rate rewards may not be as beneficial as cards that offer higher cash back rates in specific spending categories.
- A balance transfer fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate.
- Applicants will likely need good to excellent credit for approval.
United Gateway Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section highlights the key reasons why the United Gateway℠ Card stands out as a valuable option.
- It's an excellent entry point for occasional United flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee.
- The card is a great travel companion for trips abroad since it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
- It also includes valuable travel and purchase protections, a strong offering for a card with no annual fee.
Pros
- Opportunity to earn a welcome bonus for new cardmembers.
- Earns miles on everyday spending, with bonus rewards on United purchases, gas, and local transit.
- Includes key travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance and an auto rental damage waiver.
Cons
- Fewer premium travel benefits, such as complimentary checked bags or priority boarding.
- The welcome bonus is smaller than those offered by cards with annual fees.
- Miles earned are not transferable to other airline or hotel loyalty programs.
United Gateway vs Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
Categories
Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver or United Gateway, comes down to your spending habits and travel preferences. One card is a straightforward cash back option for daily purchases, while the other is geared toward earning travel miles with a specific airline.
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for everyday spenders who value simplicity and want a flat-rate cash back card without needing to track different spending categories.
- United Gateway℠ Card is best for occasional United Airlines flyers and those who spend on gas and local transit, making it a good entry-level option for budget-conscious travelers looking to earn airline miles.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: You can redeem your cash back rewards for any amount at any time, with options including a statement credit or a check.
United Gateway℠ Card: Miles are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program for award flights on United and its partners, as well as for other travel like seat upgrades and hotel stays.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a more personalized comparison, Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending data to find the best match.
- Test Drive Cards: Simulate your potential earnings with any card using your real spending history before you apply, providing a clear picture of a card’s net value after annual fees.
- Approval Odds Analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report to help you apply with more confidence.
- Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
- Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
- Personalized Management: Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and get actionable insights on all your cards in one platform.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals who value simplicity and want a straightforward rewards structure without an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for everyday spenders who prefer not to track rotating bonus categories and want to earn a consistent, flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Additionally, frequent travelers will appreciate the absence of foreign transaction fees, while regular Uber users can take advantage of the complimentary Uber One membership.
Who Should Choose the United Gateway?
The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who don't travel frequently enough to justify a card with an annual fee. It also serves as a strong entry-level option for credit card beginners new to travel rewards and budget-conscious travelers wanting to earn miles without extra costs. Additionally, existing Chase customers can benefit from managing their accounts in one place while earning MileagePlus miles on everyday spending.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Capital One Quicksilver vs. United Gateway comparison didn't help you find your next card, don't sweat it. We've rounded up a few excellent alternatives that might be a better match for your wallet.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit profile for approval.
- Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of any application restrictions the card issuer may have, such as limits on welcome bonuses.
- Have a spending plan: Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer through your regular purchases.
Application Strategy
- Time your application before a planned large purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
- Use pre-approval tools when available to check for offers without impacting your credit score.
- Don't force spending to meet a bonus requirement, as carrying a balance defeats the purpose of earning rewards.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer rewards between the Capital One Quicksilver and United Gateway cards?
No, you cannot transfer rewards between these two cards. The Capital One Quicksilver earns cash back within the Capital One ecosystem, while the United Gateway Card earns miles in the United MileagePlus program, and they are not interchangeable.
Do the rewards earned on the Quicksilver or Gateway card expire?
Your cash back rewards from the Capital One Quicksilver card will not expire for the life of the account. Similarly, United MileagePlus miles earned with the Gateway card do not expire as long as your credit card account remains open.
Is there an annual fee for the Capital One Quicksilver or United Gateway Card?
Both the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and the United Gateway Card are attractive options for many because neither card charges an annual fee.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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