United Gateway vs JetBlue Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

JetBlue Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why the JetBlue Plus Card stands out.

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• The card offers a strong earning rate on JetBlue purchases, plus bonus points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores.
• While it comes with an annual fee, the card includes a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to three companions on JetBlue-operated flights.
• The annual fee can be easily offset, as just two round-trip flights with a checked bag can save you more than the cost of the card (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Receive a points bonus each year on your cardmember anniversary.
• Get a percentage of your points back every time you redeem them for a JetBlue award flight, stretching their value further.
• Take advantage of travel perks like an annual statement credit for JetBlue Vacations packages and no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• The card lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or credits for expedited security screening programs.
• Some key benefits, such as the annual travel credit, are restricted to specific types of bookings, limiting their usefulness for some travelers.
• It does not offer a fast track to elite status or provide any automatic status perks.

JetBlue Plus vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Gateway or JetBlue Plus, depends entirely on your travel habits and what you value in a co-branded airline card.

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is an excellent entry-level option for occasional United Airlines flyers and credit card beginners. It's best for those who want to earn United miles without committing to a premium card.
• JetBlue Plus Card: This card is geared toward casual to moderately frequent JetBlue flyers. It's ideal for travelers who want to unlock valuable airline perks and enhance their travel experience.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles earned with this card can be redeemed for flights on United and its network of Star Alliance partner airlines. You can also use miles for other travel-related purchases like hotel stays and car rentals.

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JetBlue Plus Card: Your TrueBlue points can be redeemed for any seat on any JetBlue-operated flight, with no blackout dates. Points can also be used to pay for the flight portion of a JetBlue Vacations package.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The JetBlue Plus Card comes with no foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international travel. The United Gateway℠ Card, on the other hand, does have a foreign transaction fee.
• In-Flight Savings: You'll receive a 50% savings on eligible in-flight food and drink purchases on JetBlue-operated flights with the JetBlue Plus Card. The United Gateway℠ Card provides a 25% statement credit back on in-flight purchases, including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi.
• Checked Bag Benefit: The JetBlue Plus Card offers a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to three companions on the same booking. The United Gateway℠ Card does not include a complimentary checked bag allowance.
• Elite Status Path: Spending on the JetBlue Plus Card can help you qualify for JetBlue's Mosaic elite status. The United Gateway℠ Card does not offer a comparable pathway to United Premier status based on card spending alone.
• Lounge Access: Neither card offers complimentary airport lounge access as a standard perk.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking to make a data-driven decision, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards using your own spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: The platform's “Test Drive” feature lets you simulate potential earnings from a new card using your real spending data—all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized recommendations: Kudos analyzes your transaction history to provide data-driven card recommendations that match your spending patterns.
• Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Exclusive offers and rewards: Members can access special promotions, like a $20 sign-up bonus, a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select cards, and a welcome offer guarantee.
• Spending and credit tracking: Manage multiple cards, monitor your transactions, and keep an eye on your credit score all in one place.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent entry-level option for occasional United Airlines flyers who don't travel frequently enough to justify a card with an annual fee. It's also well-suited for credit card beginners and budget-conscious travelers, offering a straightforward way to earn miles without an annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Additionally, existing Chase customers can easily integrate the card into their accounts, making it a solid starting point for anyone looking to build credit with travel rewards.

Who Should Choose the JetBlue Plus?

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The JetBlue Plus card is a solid mid-tier option for moderately frequent JetBlue flyers who want to unlock valuable travel perks without a high annual fee. It's ideal for travelers who fly the airline a few times a year and want to save on checked bags for themselves and their companions. With strong earning rates on JetBlue purchases, a $100 annual vacation credit, and a 5,000-point anniversary bonus, this JetBlue card is built for budget-conscious customers looking to maximize their loyalty.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Gateway vs. JetBlue Plus comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect co-pilot for your travel plans, don't fret. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better match for your wallet.

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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, as most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can meet any welcome offer requirements without overspending.
• Review issuer application rules, as some banks have restrictions on earning bonuses for cards within the same product family.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application to align with large, planned purchases to meet spending requirements organically.
• Check for upgrade restrictions, as some issuers prevent you from earning a new bonus if you upgrade from a card in the same family.
• Use authorized users to help meet spending thresholds, but be mindful of any additional fees.

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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What are the annual fees for the United Gateway Card and the JetBlue Plus Card?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an attractive option for those looking to avoid an annual fee. The JetBlue Plus Card, on the other hand, has a $99 annual fee but includes a suite of benefits designed to offset the cost.

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Which card offers better in-flight benefits?

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For in-flight perks, the JetBlue Plus Card typically provides more value with a free first checked bag for the cardholder and eligible companions. The United Gateway Card offers 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases aboard United-operated flights.

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Is one card better for international travel?

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Choosing the better card for international travel depends on your destinations. United's participation in the Star Alliance provides a vast global network, while JetBlue offers strong routes to the Caribbean and Latin America, along with expanding service to Europe.

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