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

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here's a breakdown of what makes the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card a solid choice.

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• It's a great entry-level travel card because it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
• The card offers a simple, flat-rate rewards structure, earning unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase.
• With no annual fee to offset, you start earning net positive rewards from your very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Points can be redeemed as a statement credit for a broad range of travel and dining purchases, with no need to book through a specific portal.
• Cardholders in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can earn a bonus on all points earned, boosting the rewards rate.
• As a Visa Signature card, it is accepted globally and comes with some travel protections.

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Cons

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• The flat-rate rewards structure is modest and lacks bonus categories for common travel expenses like flights or hotels.
• It lacks premium travel perks such as airport lounge access or the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
• The card's highest earning potential is reserved for cardholders who qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Gateway or Bank of America Travel Rewards, depends on your travel habits and brand loyalty. Both cards cater to travelers looking to avoid an annual fee, but they appeal to different types of users.

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• United Gateway℠ Card is designed for occasional United Airlines flyers who want to earn MileagePlus miles without a yearly commitment. It's also a solid entry-level choice for credit card beginners and budget-conscious travelers seeking basic airline benefits.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is ideal for beginners and casual travelers who prefer a simple, flat-rate rewards structure over airline-specific perks. It offers the most value to existing Bank of America customers who can leverage loyalty bonuses for enhanced earnings.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Rewards are earned as MileagePlus miles, which can be redeemed for flights with United and its partner airlines. Miles can also be used for other travel purchases, such as seat upgrades, hotel stays, and car rentals.

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: This card provides flexible points that can be redeemed as a statement credit to cover travel and dining purchases made with the card. This allows you to book travel however you want without being restricted to a specific portal or airline.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: As a co-branded airline card, its ecosystem is centered on the United MileagePlus program. This means rewards are most valuable when redeemed for flights with United and its Star Alliance partners. The card offers a statement credit for in-flight purchases on United flights but does charge a foreign transaction fee. It does not provide airport lounge access.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: This card provides a more open travel ecosystem. Cardholders can book travel through any website or travel agent they choose and then redeem points for a statement credit against those purchases. It also has a dedicated Bank of America Travel Center. A key perk is that it does not charge a foreign transaction fee. This card does not offer airport lounge access.

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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 based on your personal spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: See a personalized calculation of your potential earnings based on your actual spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of applying through Kudos, they will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Automatic card selection: At checkout, Kudos can automatically fill in the best card from your wallet to maximize rewards for that specific purchase.

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 MileagePlus miles without committing to an annual fee. It's also well-suited for credit card beginners or budget-conscious travelers, thanks to its straightforward rewards structure and lack of foreign transaction fees. With an introductory bonus of 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months and a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a variable APR of 20.24% - 28.74%), it's a compelling no-fee option.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Travel Rewards?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for beginners and casual travelers who want a straightforward, easy-to-use card without having to track complex bonus categories. It's particularly valuable for existing Bank of America customers, as those enrolled in the Preferred Rewards program can earn a 25% to 75% bonus on all points earned. Budget-conscious users who prefer a single card for all their spending will also appreciate that this no-annual-fee travel card also comes with no foreign transaction fees.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the United Gateway℠ Card vs. Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card showdown doesn't yield a clear winner for your wallet, there are several other excellent travel cards to consider.

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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: Most travel cards require a good to excellent credit score to qualify.
• Plan Your Spending: Ensure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.
• Review Your Strategy: Consider how a new card fits with your existing bank relationships and travel goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the Rules: Research an issuer's specific application policies, such as Chase's 5/24 rule, before applying.
• Leverage Relationships: Check if your existing bank offers relationship bonuses, like Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program.
• Apply Strategically: Use trusted tools and direct links to ensure you are seeing the best publicly available 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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Which card is better for someone new to travel rewards?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is often simpler for beginners due to its straightforward flat-rate rewards. The United Gateway℠ Card is better suited for those who are loyal to United Airlines and understand how to maximize airline-specific miles.

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Are there annual fees for these cards?

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No, neither the United Gateway℠ Card nor the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card charges an annual fee. This makes both cards excellent long-term options to keep open without incurring a yearly cost.

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How flexible are the rewards from each card?

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Rewards from the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card are very flexible, allowing you to redeem them as a statement credit for nearly any travel or dining purchase. United Gateway℠ Card miles are less flexible, as they are primarily used for flights and upgrades within the United MileagePlus program and its partners.

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