Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
United Gateway vs Capital One SavorOne: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The United Gateway℠ Card is a great starting point for United flyers, offering bonus miles on airline purchases, gas, and local transit.
- The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a strong choice for earning cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
United Gateway Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3064", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "United Loyalists", "headerHint": "Entry-Level United Card"} ]]
Why We Like It
Here's a breakdown of the perks that make this no-annual-fee card a great entry point for United flyers.
- You can earn valuable United MileagePlus miles on all your purchases without an ongoing yearly cost.
- The card rewards you for everyday spending, including bonus miles on gas and local transit, not just United purchases.
- It comes with useful travel and purchase protections, such as trip cancellation coverage and an auto rental waiver, which are rare for a card at this level.
Pros
- There is no annual fee, so you can earn United miles without a yearly commitment.
- New cardholders can earn an introductory bonus after meeting an initial spending requirement.
- You won't be charged foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for international travel.
Cons
- It doesn't include premium travel perks like free checked bags or priority boarding.
- The rewards program is more basic, with limited bonus-earning categories and a smaller introductory bonus than premium alternatives.
- MileagePlus miles earned with the card cannot be transferred to other airline or hotel loyalty programs.
Capital One SavorOne Rewards Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "18233", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "4", "bestForText": "Food & Entertainment", "headerHint" : "Great for Foodies" } ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Capital One SavorOne Rewards (See Rates & Fees) card a standout choice for foodies and entertainment lovers.
- You'll earn bonus cash back on popular spending categories, including dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
- Rewards are straightforward to earn with no rotating categories to track, and they don’t expire for the life of the account.
- Cardholders also get access to exclusive reservations and tickets to culinary and entertainment events through Capital One.
Pros
- Cash back can be redeemed in any amount, with flexible options like statement credits, gift cards, or paying with rewards on partner sites.
- Includes credit-building features, such as automatic consideration for a higher credit line and free access to credit monitoring tools.
Cons
- The card comes with an annual fee.
- New cardholders won't receive a welcome bonus or an introductory APR offer on purchases.
- Bonus cash back categories have some notable exclusions, such as superstores not counting as grocery stores.
Capital One SavorOne Rewards vs United Gateway
Categories
Deciding which is better, United Gateway or Capital One SavorOne, comes down to your spending habits and travel goals. One card is tailored for earning airline miles, while the other focuses on cash back from everyday purchases.
- United Gateway℠ Card: This card is best for occasional United Airlines flyers and travel rewards beginners who want to earn MileagePlus miles on purchases without paying an annual fee.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is ideal for those who want to earn cash back on everyday spending like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
Redemption
United Gateway℠ Card: Rewards are earned as MileagePlus miles, which can be redeemed for flights with United and its airline partners. You can also use miles for other travel-related purchases like hotel stays and car rentals.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as cash back, which you can receive as a statement credit or a check. You also have flexible options to redeem rewards for gift cards or to book travel through Capital One's portal.
Travel Perks
- United Gateway℠ Card: As an entry-level airline card, its travel perks are centered on the United ecosystem. Cardholders get a discount on in-flight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases on United-operated flights. However, it does not include airport lounge access and charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad. Miles are redeemed through the United travel portal.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is a great option for international travel as it has no foreign transaction fee. While it doesn't offer complimentary lounge access, cardholders can book flights, hotels, and rental cars through the Capital One Travel portal.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a smart wallet that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, ensuring you find the perfect match for your spending habits and maximize your rewards.
- Use the Test Drive feature to simulate potential earnings with any card using your real transaction history—no application or hard credit pull required.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for various cards based on your credit report.
- Get personalized card recommendations based on your actual spending patterns to eliminate guesswork.
- Unlock exclusive offers, including a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your wallet.
- Automatically use the best card at checkout to maximize rewards on every purchase.
Who Should Choose the United Gateway?
The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United flyers and beginners in the travel rewards world. It allows these users to accumulate MileagePlus miles on everyday spending without the commitment of an annual fee. Additionally, its lack of foreign transaction fees makes it a smart pick for budget-conscious travelers heading abroad.
Who Should Choose the Capital One SavorOne Rewards?
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals with fair credit who are looking to build their credit history. It's particularly well-suited for those who frequently spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, as it offers strong cash-back rates in these common categories. This card serves as a valuable tool for earning rewards on everyday purchases while simultaneously strengthening one's credit profile for future financial opportunities.
Alternatives to Consider
While the United Gateway vs. Capital One SavorOne Rewards comparison highlights two strong contenders, they may not be the right fit for every wallet. If you're looking for different rewards structures or benefits, several other cards might be a better match.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2894", "509"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["2% Cash Back", "Exceptional Value"]} ]]
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to see which cards you’re likely to be approved for.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can meet any welcome offer requirements without overspending.
- Review issuer-specific rules, as some have restrictions on new applications.
Application Strategy
- Look for pre-approval offers to see if you qualify without impacting your credit score.
- Start with a no-annual-fee card if you are new to travel rewards or building credit.
- Time your applications strategically to build your credit history over time.
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
What are the main differences in rewards between the two cards?
The United Gateway Card is an airline co-branded card that earns miles for the United MileagePlus program, while the Capital One SavorOne Card is a cash back card focused on everyday spending categories.
Who is the ideal user for the United Gateway Card?
This card is best suited for travelers who frequently fly with United Airlines and want to earn miles toward future flights and enjoy airline-specific perks.
Who should get the Capital One SavorOne Card?
The Capital One SavorOne Card is a great fit for people whose spending is concentrated on dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores, and who prefer the flexibility of cash back rewards.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.
.webp)
.webp)
