IHG One Rewards Traveler vs United Gateway: Which Is Better In 2025?

United Gateway Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a quick look at why the United Gateway℠ Card stands out as a great entry-level option.

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• With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it's a cost-effective way to earn United miles.
• It comes with valuable travel protections like trip cancellation coverage and an auto rental collision damage waiver, which are impressive for a no-fee card.
• The introductory bonus can be worth over $300 in award travel, easily justifying the initial spending requirement (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers a generous introductory APR on new purchases, giving you time to pay off larger expenses interest-free.
• Provides valuable purchase protection and extended warranty coverage on eligible items you buy with the card.
• Allows you to add authorized users at no extra cost, helping you accumulate miles faster from their spending.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium airline benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, or airport lounge access.
• The introductory bonus is less substantial than what's offered on higher-tier United cards.
• It doesn't include ongoing loyalty incentives like anniversary miles or a companion certificate.

United Gateway vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, IHG One Rewards Traveler or United Gateway, depends entirely on your travel style and brand loyalty.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card - This card is designed for frequent travelers, particularly those who often stay at IHG properties and want to earn hotel rewards without paying an annual fee.
• United Gateway℠ Card - Geared toward United loyalists, this card is ideal for occasional flyers of the airline looking to earn miles on their spending.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for award nights at hotels and resorts within the IHG portfolio. While other redemption options exist, using points for stays typically offers the most value.

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United Gateway℠ Card: The miles you accumulate can be used for award flights with United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partners. You can also redeem miles for other travel, such as seat upgrades, car rentals, and hotel bookings.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is centered on the IHG family of hotels. Cardholders receive automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status and can take advantage of a fourth-night-free reward on award stays. The card does charge foreign transaction fees and does not offer airport lounge access.
• United Gateway℠ Card: This card’s benefits are focused on the United Airlines and Star Alliance network. Perks include 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases on United flights. While it doesn't provide complimentary lounge access, cardholders can purchase United Club one-time passes. This card also has a foreign transaction fee and includes an auto rental collision damage waiver.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking to simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your real spending data for personalized recommendations.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with different cards based on your actual spending patterns before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• Personalized recommendations: Get card suggestions tailored to your spending history.
• Approval odds analysis: Understand your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your card's rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Track your finances: Monitor your transactions, spending, credit score, and sign-up bonus progress all in one place.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an ideal starting point for budget-conscious travelers who stay at IHG properties occasionally but still want to earn rewards. Since the card has no annual fee, it's a low-risk way to enter the world of hotel loyalty programs and benefit from perks like the fourth reward night free on longer stays. It's best suited for those who don't need premium travel benefits but want a straightforward way to accumulate points for future trips with the IHG Traveler Card.

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 spending and United purchases. With no foreign transaction fees, it's also a practical entry-level option for those who travel internationally from time to time.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Traveler vs United Gateway comparison has shown you that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might better suit your spending habits and travel 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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most issuers require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer without overspending.
• Review the card’s benefits: Make sure the card's rewards and perks align with your typical spending and travel habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules: Be aware of policies like Chase's 5/24 rule that could affect your approval for certain cards.
• Use a trusted application source: Apply through a platform that may offer streamlined access to the best available offers.
• Be patient and strategic: If you don't get the best offer at first, try again later or through a different method.

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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Which card is better for a beginner?

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Both cards are excellent no-annual-fee options for beginners, so the best choice depends on your travel style. If you frequently stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn, the IHG Traveler card is a great fit; otherwise, the United Gateway card is better for those who often fly with United Airlines.

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Can I have both the IHG Traveler and United Gateway cards?

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Yes, it is possible to hold both cards simultaneously, as they belong to different co-brand families. However, approval for each card is subject to the issuer's specific application rules and your credit history.

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Are there upgrade options for these cards?

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Yes, card issuers often allow you to upgrade to a card with more benefits within the same family, such as moving from the IHG Traveler to the IHG Premier card. This process, known as a product change, typically doesn't require a new credit application.

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