United Gateway vs Amex Green: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express® Green Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why the American Express® Green Card (See Rates & Fees) is a compelling option for many travelers.

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• It earns bonus rewards on an expansive list of travel purchases, including transit and tours.
• You can transfer your points to a wide variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs for flexible redemptions.
• The card provides flexible payment options, allowing you to pay in full or carry a balance over time on eligible charges.

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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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Pros

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• Generous rewards on a broad range of travel purchases and at restaurants worldwide.
• Highly flexible points that can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners.
• Valuable travel benefits, including statement credits for airport programs and no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• The annual fee is relatively high for a non-premium travel card.
• Maximizing rewards can be complex, as some redemption options offer low value.
• Some travel credits have limited applicability or are being phased out.

American Express® Green Card vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the United Gateway or Amex Green, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel style.

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is best for occasional United Airlines flyers and credit card beginners who want to earn miles on everyday spending without committing to an annual fee. It's also a solid choice for those looking for a travel card with no foreign transaction fees.
• American Express® Green Card: This card is geared toward frequent travelers and diners who want to earn rewards on a broad range of travel and restaurant purchases worldwide.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles earned with this card are deposited into your United MileagePlus account and are best used for booking award flights with United and its Star Alliance airline partners. You can also redeem miles for other travel, such as hotel stays, car rentals, and cruises.

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American Express® Green Card: This card earns highly flexible Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to a wide variety of airline and hotel partners for maximum value. Points can also be used to book travel directly through Amex or redeemed for statement credits and gift cards.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: As a no-annual-fee card, its travel perks are straightforward. Travel is booked within the United ecosystem, and cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees. You'll also receive 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight United purchases. However, the card does not offer premium benefits like airport lounge access or travel credits.
• American Express® Green Card: This card provides a more robust travel ecosystem through the American Express Travel portal and its partners. It has no foreign transaction fees and offers annual statement credits for both CLEAR Plus membership and airport lounge access purchased through LoungeBuddy. The card also includes travel protections like a baggage insurance plan and car rental loss and damage insurance. Terms apply to these benefits.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards and see which one best fits your spending.

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• The 'Test Drive' feature lets you simulate how much you could earn with a new card based on your actual spending history.
• Receive personalized card recommendations and track your spending and credit score all in one place.
• Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores, stacking on top of your existing card rewards.
• Benefit from a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who don't travel frequently enough to justify a premium card with an annual fee. It's also well-suited for credit card beginners and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn travel rewards without a yearly cost. This card serves as a straightforward entry point for earning MileagePlus miles on everyday spending, making it ideal for those new to airline loyalty programs.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?

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The American Express® Green Card is a great fit for travelers who enjoy the challenge of maximizing points and are willing to put in the effort to get the most out of their card. It's particularly valuable for those who spend a lot on travel and at restaurants worldwide, as it earns 3X points on those purchases. This card is best for someone who will take advantage of its flexible Membership Rewards points by transferring them to airline and hotel partners to unlock high-value redemptions and make the annual fee worthwhile.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Gateway vs Amex Green comparison didn't seal the deal for you, there are other fish in the sea. Let's explore a few alternative travel cards that might better align with your travel style and spending habits.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit profile for approval.
• Align the card with your spending – Ensure the card’s bonus categories and benefits match your typical purchase habits to maximize value.
• Know the issuer’s rules – Research the card issuer’s policies on new applications and welcome offer eligibility before you apply.

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Application Strategy

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• Start with the right card for you – Consider an entry-level option like the United Gateway℠ Card if you're a beginner, or a mid-tier card for more flexible travel credits.
• Don’t settle for a lesser offer – Many issuers allow you to decline an offer without a hard inquiry, letting you try again for a better one later.
• Time your application strategically – Aligning your application with a large planned purchase makes it easier to naturally meet a spending requirement for a welcome offer.

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 Amex Green Card good for beginners?

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The American Express® Green Card can be a solid choice for those new to travel rewards, as it earns points on a wide range of travel and transit purchases. However, its annual fee may be a factor for beginners to consider. Terms Apply.

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Does the United Gateway Card have an annual fee?

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No, the United Gateway℠ Card does not have an annual fee, making it an accessible option for earning United MileagePlus miles without an upfront cost.

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Can I transfer points from the Amex Green Card to United Airlines?

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You cannot transfer American Express Membership Rewards points directly to United MileagePlus. You can, however, transfer points to other Star Alliance airline partners and book United-operated flights through them.

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