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United Gateway vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- United Gateway℠ Card: This is a great no-annual-fee option for occasional United flyers looking to earn miles on everyday spending like gas and local transit.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card is well-suited for moderate travelers and diners who want flexible rewards, especially if they already bank with Bank of America.
United Gateway Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the United Gateway℠ Card stands out as a strong entry-level option.
- You can earn miles on everyday purchases, with accelerated earnings on United flights, at gas stations, and for local transit.
- The card comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for travelers.
- With no annual fee to offset, every reward you earn is pure value from your very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- A generous introductory bonus offer and an introductory APR on purchases give new cardholders immediate value.
- Comes with key travel and purchase protections, including an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, and extended warranty protection.
- You can add authorized users at no extra cost, helping you accumulate MileagePlus miles faster from their purchases.
Cons
- You won’t get premium travel perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, or airport lounge access.
- The rewards program is less flexible than many competing travel cards, with fewer bonus categories and no option to transfer miles to other programs.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card.
- It earns an unlimited 2x points on travel and dining and a respectable 1.5x points on all other purchases.
- While it carries an annual fee, it has no foreign transaction fees and offers valuable travel statement credits that frequent flyers can maximize.
- The annual airline incidental credit alone can offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Existing Bank of America customers can significantly boost their earnings through the Preferred Rewards program.
- Points redemption is simple and flexible, with a consistent value whether you choose cash back, statement credits, or travel bookings.
- It comes with a suite of travel insurance protections and no foreign transaction fees, providing peace of mind on trips abroad.
Cons
- The rewards program is less flexible than many competitors since points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners.
- It lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access, and the best reward rates are exclusive to Bank of America Preferred Rewards members.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs United Gateway
Categories
Deciding which is better, United Gateway or Bank of America Premium Rewards, depends on your travel habits and banking preferences. Each card is designed for a different type of consumer, from the occasional airline loyalist to the everyday spender seeking flexible rewards.
- United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level option for occasional United Airlines flyers and credit card beginners. It's designed for those who want to earn airline miles without committing to an annual fee.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card is ideal for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who value flexible rewards. It is especially beneficial for those who already have a banking or investment relationship with Bank of America.
Redemption
United Gateway℠ Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, meaning your rewards are primarily used for booking flights with United and its airline partners.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card offers more versatile redemption options, allowing you to redeem points for cash back, statement credits, travel, or gift cards, which is ideal if you don't want to be tied to a single loyalty program.
Travel Perks
- Foreign Transaction Fees: The United Gateway℠ Card includes a foreign transaction fee on international purchases, while the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card does not charge one.
- Travel Portals: Cardholders of the United Gateway℠ Card redeem miles for award travel directly through the United Airlines website. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card provides more flexibility, with points redeemable for travel through the Bank of America Travel Center, as a statement credit, or for cash back.
- Airport Screening and Lounge Access: The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card offers a statement credit for either a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee. Neither card includes complimentary airport lounge access.
- Airline Credits and Perks: With the United Gateway℠ Card, you receive 25% back on in-flight purchases like food and Wi-Fi on United flights. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card offers an annual airline incidental statement credit that can be used for qualifying purchases such as baggage fees or seat upgrades.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a more personalized approach, tools like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.
- Test drive a credit card: This feature lets you simulate potential earnings from a new card using your actual spending data, all without an application or a hard credit pull.
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Who Should Choose the United Gateway?
The United Gateway℠ Card is an ideal choice for occasional United Airlines flyers and beginners in the travel rewards space who want to avoid an annual fee. This card allows you to earn MileagePlus miles on everyday spending, particularly on United purchases, gas, and local transit. As this card review highlights, it's also a smart pick for international travel thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders seeking strong, simple rewards without a hefty annual fee. It is especially powerful for existing Bank of America customers who can significantly boost their earnings through the Preferred Rewards program. As a comprehensive review notes, the card suits users who value flexible redemptions and robust travel protections for a wide range of purchases.
Alternatives to Consider
If our United Gateway vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® comparison has you convinced that neither card is the right choice, don't fret. The world of travel rewards cards is vast, and other options might better align with 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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan your spending – Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
- Know the issuer's rules – Some banks have application restrictions or reward customers with existing relationships.
Application Strategy
- Time your application strategically – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending threshold.
- Try different application channels – Offers can vary, so check a few different sources if the first one isn't ideal.
- Leverage your existing relationships – Applying with a bank where you already have accounts can sometimes improve your odds.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Which card is better for frequent United flyers?
The United Gateway Card is tailored for those who fly with United Airlines, offering benefits like 25% back on in-flight purchases and enhanced mileage earning on United tickets. The Bank of America card provides more flexible travel rewards not tied to a single airline.
What are the annual fees for these cards?
The United Gateway Card has no annual fee, making it an accessible choice for earning United miles. In contrast, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card carries a $95 annual fee, which is balanced by its statement credits and broader reward categories.
Do either of these cards offer airport lounge access?
No, neither the United Gateway Card nor the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card comes with complimentary airport lounge access. This benefit is typically reserved for higher-tier premium travel credit cards.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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