Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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 closer look at why the United Gateway card stands out as a strong entry-level option.

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• It’s a great starting point for earning United miles without the commitment of an annual fee or the penalty of foreign transaction fees.
• Cardholders get access to valuable travel protections like an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation coverage.
• Meeting the initial spending requirement can earn you enough miles for a domestic round-trip flight, providing immediate value (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees make it a cost-effective choice for both domestic and international travel.
• Includes key travel protections like an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/interruption coverage.
• Provides an introductory APR offer on purchases and a welcome bonus to kickstart your MileagePlus balance.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium United travel benefits such as free checked bags or priority boarding.
• Bonus rewards are limited to a few spending categories, which can slow down mile accumulation compared to other travel cards.
• Does not include perks like anniversary bonus miles or a companion certificate, which are often found on higher-tier airline cards.

United Gateway vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or United Gateway, comes down to your travel frequency and airline loyalty.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is best for frequent Southwest flyers and their families who can maximize the card’s airline-specific benefits and want to earn elite status or the coveted Companion Pass®.
• United Gateway℠ Card is an ideal entry-level option for occasional United flyers, credit card beginners, or budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Cardholders redeem points through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, which can be used for the airline’s flights. Points can also be applied toward other travel purchases, merchandise, and gift cards.

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles are redeemed via the United MileagePlus program for award flights on United and its Star Alliance partner airlines. Miles may also be used for other travel expenses, including hotel stays and car rentals.

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Travel Perks

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• Annual Credits & Bonuses: The Southwest Priority card provides an annual travel credit for use on Southwest flights and awards cardholders bonus points each account anniversary. The United Gateway card, being a no-annual-fee option, does not include these benefits.
• In-Flight Benefits: Both cards offer a 25% statement credit on in-flight purchases. The Southwest card also includes a number of Upgraded Boardings each year, allowing you to be among the first to board.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: You won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees with either card, making them suitable for international travel.
• Elite Status & Companion Perks: A significant perk of the Southwest Priority card is that all points earned count toward qualifying for the coveted Southwest Companion Pass® and A-List elite status. The United Gateway card does not offer a similar pathway to elite status through card spending.
• Travel Protections: The United Gateway card comes with travel protections like an Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance. The Southwest Priority card also offers its own suite of travel coverage, including baggage delay reimbursement and lost luggage reimbursement.
• Lounge Access: Neither card offers complimentary access to airport lounges.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make a data-driven decision, a tool like Kudos can help you find the best card for your wallet.

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• Personalized Recommendations: Get card suggestions based on your actual spending habits to ensure you’re matched with the most rewarding options.
• Test Drive Cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your real transaction data—all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report, helping you apply with greater confidence.
• Extra Rewards: Earn additional rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores, stacking on top of your regular credit card rewards.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent Southwest flyers who can fully leverage its annual travel credit and other airline-specific perks. It's also a powerful tool for loyalists aiming to achieve A-List status or the valuable Companion Pass® through credit card spending. Families and domestic travelers who primarily fly within Southwest's extensive network will find significant value, as will those taking occasional trips to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America.

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 also well-suited for credit card beginners and budget-conscious travelers looking for a straightforward way to enter the world of travel rewards. Ultimately, this card serves those who want to accumulate MileagePlus miles on everyday spending and enjoy benefits like no foreign transaction fees, as detailed in this United Gateway℠ Review.

Alternatives to Consider

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So the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs United Gateway comparison didn't yield a winner for you? No problem—let's explore a few other travel cards that might be a better fit.

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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 rewards cards require a good to excellent credit score for the best approval odds.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.
• Know the rules: Be aware of any issuer-specific application rules, especially if you have other cards from the same bank.

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Application Strategy

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• Align with your habits: Choose a card that rewards the airline you fly most to maximize its value.
• Time your application for bigger goals: A large welcome offer can help you qualify for benefits like elite status or a companion pass.
• Consider an upgrade: Ask your card issuer about upgrading an existing card to access new benefits without a new application.

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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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card has an annual fee that covers its premium travel benefits. The United Gateway Card, on the other hand, has no annual fee, making it a more budget-friendly option.

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Do both cards charge foreign transaction fees?

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No, they do not. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is a great companion for international travel as it has no foreign transaction fees, while the United Gateway Card does charge a fee for purchases made outside the U.S.

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Which card offers better airline-specific perks?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is packed with benefits for loyal Southwest flyers, including an annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. The United Gateway Card is more focused on earning rewards and does not offer a comparable level of airline-specific perks.

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