United Gateway vs British Airways Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?

British Airways Visa Signature® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the British Airways Visa Signature® Card a strong contender for travelers.

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• You can earn bonus Avios on flights with British Airways and its partners, as well as on hotel accommodations booked directly.
• While the card carries an annual fee, it waives foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for international travel.
• The Travel Together Ticket, earned after meeting the annual spending requirement, can provide value that easily surpasses the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A generous welcome offer and accelerated Avios earnings on flights with partner airlines and hotel stays.
• Unique travel perks like the Travel Together Ticket and a discount on British Airways flights.
• No foreign transaction fees on international purchases and valuable travel and purchase protections.

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Cons

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• The card carries an annual fee.
• Avios redemption options are most valuable when used for flights on British Airways and its partners, and award tickets can come with substantial taxes and fees.
• The Travel Together Ticket requires a significant annual spend and has several restrictions on how it can be used.

British Airways Visa Signature® vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Gateway or British Airways Visa Signature, depends entirely on your travel habits and spending style. Each card caters to a different type of traveler, from the occasional domestic flyer to the frequent transatlantic jet-setter.

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• United Gateway℠ Card is best for occasional United Airlines flyers, credit card beginners, or budget-conscious travelers. It's a great entry-level option for those who want to earn travel rewards without committing to an annual fee.
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card is designed for frequent travelers, especially those who often fly with British Airways or its partners. This card is ideal for international flyers who can take full advantage of its premium travel benefits.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through United's MileagePlus program, primarily for flights on United and its partner airlines.

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British Airways Visa Signature® Card: This card earns Avios, which can be used for flights on British Airways and its extensive network of partner airlines, offering significant value on international and premium cabin travel.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: As a no-annual-fee card, its travel perks are straightforward. Cardholders receive 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights. It also offers some travel protections, including an Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance. However, it's important to note that this card does charge a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international travel.
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card: This card is built for the international traveler. It has no foreign transaction fees. Its standout feature is the Travel Together Ticket, which allows you to bring a companion on a reward flight (you still pay taxes and fees) after you meet a specific spending threshold in a calendar year. The card also offers statement credits toward taxes and fees on award flights and includes travel protections like Baggage Delay Insurance and Lost Luggage Reimbursement.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending data to find the best fit for your habits.

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• Use the 'Test Drive' feature to simulate how much you’d earn with a new card based on your actual transaction history—all before you apply and without impacting your credit score.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your wallet.
• Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and get personalized insights to maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It's also well-suited for beginners in the travel rewards world, offering a simple way to accumulate MileagePlus miles on everyday purchases. Additionally, its lack of foreign transaction fees makes it a practical option for international travel, rounding out its appeal as a versatile, no-fee United card.

Who Should Choose the British Airways Visa Signature®?

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The British Airways Visa Signature® Card is a strong contender for frequent international travelers, particularly those loyal to British Airways and its oneworld alliance partners, as detailed in this complete guide. Its most compelling feature, the Travel Together Ticket, is best suited for high-spenders who can charge $30,000 annually to bring a companion along for just the cost of taxes and fees. Cardholders also benefit from accelerated Avios earnings on airline and hotel purchases and no foreign transaction fees, making it a practical choice for transatlantic journeys.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the United Gateway vs. British Airways Visa Signature® comparison doesn't present a clear winner for your travel habits, it's worth exploring a few other compelling alternatives.

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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 Credit Requirements: Ensure your credit profile aligns with the card's typical approval standards.
• Plan for the Welcome Offer: Map out your upcoming expenses to meet the minimum spending requirement without overspending.
• Align with Your Travel Habits: Confirm the card's airline partners and core benefits, like the Travel Together Ticket or no foreign transaction fees, match your travel patterns.

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Application Strategy

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• Time Your Application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
• Know the Issuer Rules: Be aware of any issuer-specific application policies that might affect your approval.
• Assess Long-Term Value: Consider if the card's ongoing benefits will provide value long after the welcome offer is earned.

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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Do the United Gateway and British Airways Visa Signature cards have annual fees?

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The United Gateway℠ Card has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for casual travelers. In contrast, the British Airways Visa Signature® Card typically comes with an annual fee, which is offset by its richer benefits and earning potential.

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Are there foreign transaction fees on these cards?

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Both the United Gateway℠ Card and the British Airways Visa Signature® Card are great for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees. This means you can make purchases abroad without incurring extra charges.

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How do the rewards programs differ outside of their respective airlines?

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The United Gateway Card offers bonus miles on gas, local transit, and commuting, while the British Airways card provides elevated rewards on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel. Your spending habits in these categories can help determine which card offers more value for you.

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