United Gateway vs Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons we like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite card.

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• The card offers a suite of premium travel perks, including complimentary airport lounge access and comprehensive travel protections.
• While it carries a significant annual fee, cardholders receive annual statement credits for airline incidentals and various lifestyle purchases that can help offset the cost.
• By maximizing the up to $300 airline incidental credit and up to $150 lifestyle credit, you can recoup $450 of the annual fee each year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers strong travel benefits, including complimentary airport lounge access, valuable hotel perks, and a suite of travel protections.
• Provides generous annual statement credits for airline incidentals and a range of everyday lifestyle purchases.
• Points are worth more when redeemed for airfare through the Bank of America Travel Center, and Preferred Rewards® members can earn an even higher rewards rate on all purchases.

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Cons

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• Lacks travel transfer partners, a key feature on competing premium cards that limits redemption flexibility and value.
• The high annual fee can be difficult to justify, especially since maximizing point value requires booking through the issuer's travel portal, which can be restrictive.
• Some statement credits are not available annually, making it harder to offset the fee every year.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Gateway or Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite, comes down to your specific travel habits and what you value in a credit card. One is a straightforward airline card for occasional flyers, while the other is a premium card packed with luxury benefits.

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is best for occasional United Airlines flyers, budget-conscious travelers, and credit card beginners looking for an entry-level travel rewards card to earn miles on everyday spending.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: This card is designed for frequent travelers who value luxury perks like airport lounge access and are often best for those already in the Bank of America banking ecosystem.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles earned with this card can be redeemed for flights with United and its airline partners, as well as for other travel-related purchases like hotel stays and car rentals through the MileagePlus program.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: Points can be redeemed for a variety of options, including travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center, cash back, or gift cards, offering flexible ways to use your rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is integrated with the United MileagePlus ecosystem. While it doesn't offer premium perks like airport lounge access, it allows cardholders to earn miles on everyday purchases. It's important to note that this card does include a foreign transaction fee.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: As a premium offering, this card comes with a suite of luxury travel benefits. Cardholders enjoy access to select airport lounges and pay no foreign transaction fees on international purchases. Rewards are managed through the Bank of America Travel Center, which serves as the card's primary travel portal.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision based on your own spending, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards.

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• Use the 'Test Drive' feature to see how much a card could earn you based on your actual spending history—all before you apply and with no impact on your credit score.
• Receive personalized card recommendations tailored to your spending habits.
• Manage multiple cards, track your credit score, and monitor transactions from a single platform.
• Access exclusive offers, including a welcome offer guarantee that matches any better public offer you find within three months.

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, offering a straightforward rewards structure and no foreign transaction fees for international trips. Existing Chase customers will appreciate the convenience of managing it alongside their other accounts, making it a solid entry-level option for earning travel rewards.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card is best suited for frequent travelers and affluent consumers, particularly those already integrated into the Bank of America and Merrill investment ecosystem. Cardholders can maximize its value by taking advantage of luxury travel perks like airport lounge access and up to $450 in annual statement credits for airline incidentals, rideshare, and food delivery. As detailed in a NerdWallet review, the card especially rewards Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members, who can earn a rewards bonus of 25% to 75% on every purchase.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our comparison of the United Gateway℠ Card vs. the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite card has left you undecided, there are several other excellent travel cards that may be a better fit for your spending style 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 - Good to excellent credit is often required for premium cards.
• Review issuer-specific rules - Some issuers have application restrictions or reward programs that benefit existing customers.
• Plan your point usage - Understand if points can be transferred to partners or must be used through the issuer's portal.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically - Apply before a large purchase to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Leverage existing relationships - Some issuers offer enhanced rewards or benefits for their current banking customers.
• Explore different application channels - The best welcome offers may be targeted or found through different links.

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 someone new to travel rewards?

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The United Gateway Card is often a better starting point for beginners due to its $0 annual fee and straightforward rewards structure. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card is geared towards more experienced travelers who can maximize its premium benefits.

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Can I hold both the United Gateway Card and the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card?

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Yes, it is possible to have both cards simultaneously since they are issued by different banks. This can be a good strategy for travelers who want to diversify their rewards and benefits across different loyalty programs.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The United Gateway Card has a $0 annual fee, making it an accessible option for many travelers. In contrast, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card has a significant annual fee that supports its extensive list of premium perks.

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