Capital One Savor Student vs United Gateway: Which Is Better In 2026?

United Gateway Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the United Gateway card is a solid choice for many travelers.

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• It's a great entry-level option for earning United miles without the commitment of an annual fee.
• The United Gateway℠ Card comes with useful travel protections, including coverage for rental cars and trip interruptions, which is a solid perk for a no-annual-fee card.
• Cardholders can earn miles on more than just flights, with bonus categories that cover everyday spending.

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Pros

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• You can earn MileagePlus miles without paying an annual fee, making it an accessible option for occasional travelers.
• The card includes valuable travel protections, such as an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/interruption coverage.
• There are no foreign transaction fees, which makes it a cost-effective choice for purchases outside the United States.

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Cons

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• It lacks premium airline benefits like free checked bags or priority boarding, which are common on higher-tier cards.
• The card doesn't come with long-term value perks such as anniversary bonus miles or a companion certificate.
• Bonus rewards are limited to a narrow set of spending categories compared to competing travel cards.

United Gateway vs Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Savor Student or United Gateway, depends on your primary spending habits and financial goals. One card is built for students earning rewards on daily life expenses, while the other is for travelers loyal to a specific airline.

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• Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is specifically designed for college students who want to build credit while earning rewards. It's particularly well-suited for those who spend on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
• United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level option for occasional United Airlines flyers who want to earn miles on their flights and everyday spending. It's also a good fit for budget-conscious travelers and beginners to travel rewards.

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Redemption

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Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back that can be redeemed for any amount, at any time. You can receive your earnings as a statement credit to cover purchases or opt to get a check in the mail.

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United Gateway℠ Card: This card earns miles within the United MileagePlus loyalty program, which are best used for travel. These miles can be redeemed for award flights on United and its partners, as well as for upgrades, hotel stays, and other travel-related experiences.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized comparison, financial companion tools like Kudos allow you to evaluate top-rated cards based on your actual spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: See your potential earnings with a new card based on your real spending data—all before you apply and without impacting your credit score.
• Get personalized recommendations: Kudos analyzes your spending to match you with the card that will actually earn you the most rewards, comparing nearly 3,000 cards.
• Unlock extra rewards and guarantees: New users can access incentives like a $100 Kickstart+ bonus, a welcome offer guarantee, and Kudos Boost rewards that stack on top of your existing card benefits.
• View detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of being approved for a new card.
• Manage your wallet: Track spending, monitor your credit score, and use the autofill feature at checkout to ensure you’re always using the best card for every purchase.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards?

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This card is designed for college students, including those studying internationally, who have already started building credit and have at least a fair score. It’s particularly rewarding for students whose spending is concentrated on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and at grocery stores. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it's a practical tool for earning cash back on everyday expenses while improving your credit history.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for credit card beginners or budget-conscious travelers looking for a straightforward way to accumulate rewards on everyday purchases like gas and local transit. Additionally, those who travel internationally will appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees, making it a practical option for earning miles abroad.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, you've seen the Capital One Savor Student vs. United Gateway comparison and neither card feels quite right? No problem—let's explore a few other excellent cards that could be a better fit for your spending habits and goals.

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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.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most cards require at least a fair to good credit history for approval.
• Review eligibility rules - Some cards have specific requirements, like student status or issuer-specific application limits.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can comfortably meet any minimum spending requirement for a welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application to align with a large planned purchase, making it easier to earn a welcome bonus.
• Be aware of issuer-specific rules, as some banks limit how many cards you can open or welcome offers you can receive.
• Check for alternative requirements if you are an international student, as some issuers like Capital One accept an ITIN instead of a Social Security Number.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Is the Capital One SavorOne Student card only for students?

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Yes, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is specifically designed for students who are new to credit. You will likely need to be enrolled in a college or university to qualify for the card.

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What are United MileagePlus miles worth?

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The value of United MileagePlus miles varies depending on how you redeem them, but they are generally estimated to be worth between 1.2 and 1.4 cents each. You can often get the most value by redeeming them for premium cabin international flights.

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Do I need a good credit score for these cards?

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The Capital One SavorOne Student card is built for those with fair or limited credit, making it a great option for students. The United Gateway Card, on the other hand, typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.

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