United Club 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 what makes the United Gateway℠ Card a solid choice for occasional United flyers.

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• It’s an accessible entry point into the United MileagePlus program because it comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
• The card also includes valuable travel protections, such as an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation or interruption coverage.
• With no annual fee to recoup, any rewards you earn provide immediate value (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• It has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers.
• You can earn bonus miles on more than just flights, with accelerated rewards on gas and local transit spending.
• The card includes key travel protections like an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/interruption coverage, which is rare for a no-annual-fee card.

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Cons

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• It lacks premium travel perks commonly found on other airline cards, such as free checked bags or priority boarding.
• The welcome bonus is smaller than what you might find on higher-tier United cards, and the bonus earning categories are limited.
• As an entry-level card, it doesn't offer ongoing benefits like anniversary bonus miles or a companion certificate.

United Gateway vs United Club

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Club or United Gateway, comes down to your travel frequency and what benefits you value most in a credit card.

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• The United Club℠ Card is a premium travel card built for frequent United Airlines flyers and business travelers. It is best suited for those who prioritize airport comfort, lounge access, and other premium travel services.
• United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level option for occasional United flyers and budget-conscious travelers. This card is ideal for those new to travel rewards who want to earn miles without an annual commitment.

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Redemption

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United Club℠ Card: This card offers versatile redemption options, allowing you to use miles for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related purchases through the United MileagePlus program. Its premium nature provides enhanced value when redeeming for travel experiences.

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United Gateway℠ Card: With this card, you can redeem your earned miles primarily for United flights, making it a simple way to save on future travel. The redemption process is straightforward, focusing on award travel within the United network.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The United Club℠ Card’s signature perk is a full United Club membership, granting access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance™ partner lounges for the cardmember and eligible travel companions. In contrast, the United Gateway℠ Card does not include complimentary lounge access.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent choices for international travel, as neither the United Club℠ Card nor the United Gateway℠ Card charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Checked Baggage Allowance: With the United Club℠ Card, the primary cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation receive their first and second standard checked bags free. The United Gateway℠ Card does not offer a complimentary baggage allowance.
• Priority Travel Services: The United Club℠ Card enhances the airport experience with Premier Access® travel services, which include priority check-in, security screening where available, priority boarding, and special baggage handling. These benefits are not available with the United Gateway℠ Card.
• In-Flight Rebates: Cardholders of both the United Club℠ Card and the United Gateway℠ Card receive 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases, including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare thousands of credit cards with its data-driven card explorer, ensuring you find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
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Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United flyers who can maximize its premium travel perks. These travelers value benefits like complimentary United Club membership for comfort, free checked bags to save money, and Premier Access services to streamline their airport experience. It's also a strong choice for business travelers, international globetrotters, and those chasing MileagePlus Premier status, as detailed in this card review.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers or beginners to travel rewards who want a straightforward way to earn miles without a financial commitment. Because it has no annual fee, it's also a strong contender for budget-conscious travelers who still want access to travel protections and no foreign transaction fees. Existing Chase customers may also appreciate the convenience of managing it alongside their other accounts, as detailed in this United Gateway℠ Card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Club vs. United Gateway comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect co-pilot for your travel plans, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better fit 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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure it aligns with the card’s typical approval standards.
• Create a spending plan to meet the welcome offer requirements without overspending.
• Review any issuer-specific application rules that may affect your eligibility.

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Application Strategy

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• Align the card with your habits - Choose a card whose benefits match your travel frequency and airline loyalty.
• Time your application strategically - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum spend requirement naturally.
• Understand the rewards ecosystem - Research how you can use the points or miles, including any transfer limitations.

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 there an annual fee for the United Gateway Card?

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The United Gateway Card does not have an annual fee, making it an accessible option for travelers who fly with United occasionally and want to earn miles on their purchases.

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Does the United Club Infinite Card come with a United Club membership?

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Yes, a primary feature of the United Club Infinite Card is the included United Club membership. This gives the cardholder and their eligible travel companions access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance affiliated lounges worldwide.

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Can I get free checked bags with the United Gateway Card?

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The United Gateway Card does not offer a free checked bag benefit. This travel perk is reserved for other United co-branded credit cards that carry an annual fee, such as the United Explorer Card.

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