United Gateway vs Marriott Bonvoy Bevy: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card a compelling choice for Marriott loyalists.

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• Cardholders automatically receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, unlocking perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
• It offers a strong rewards rate on Marriott stays, dining, and at U.S. supermarkets, though it comes with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
• The card is great for international travel as it has no foreign transaction fees and includes valuable travel protections.

_{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.}

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Pros

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• Automatic Gold Elite status provides immediate access to hotel perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
• Earns bonus points on eligible Marriott stays, at restaurants worldwide, and at U.S. supermarkets.
• Includes valuable travel benefits like no foreign transaction fees and access to Amex Offers.

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Cons

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• Carries an annual fee, and the annual Free Night Award is tied to a significant spending requirement.
• The card’s value is diminished for travelers who do not frequently stay at Marriott properties.
• Lacks certain premium travel benefits like statement credits or airport lounge access.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card vs United Gateway

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, United Gateway or Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, it's essential to understand that each card caters to a very different type of traveler.

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• United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent entry-level option for occasional United Airlines flyers and credit card beginners who want to earn miles without the commitment of an annual fee.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is designed for frequent travelers who are loyal to Marriott properties and want to maximize their hotel rewards and enjoy elite status benefits.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles earned are primarily redeemed for award flights on United and its partner airlines. You can also use your miles for seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel experiences booked through the United portal.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Points are redeemed within the Marriott Bonvoy program, most commonly for free nights at participating hotels and resorts. Your points can also be used for room upgrades or transferred to dozens of airline loyalty programs.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card includes no foreign transaction fees, while the United Gateway℠ Card charges a fee on international purchases.
• Elite Status: Cardholders automatically receive complimentary Gold Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program with the Bevy card, a perk not offered for United's MileagePlus program with the Gateway card.
• Annual Awards: After meeting an annual spending threshold, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® cardholders earn a Free Night Award, a benefit not available on the no-annual-fee United Gateway℠ Card.
• On-the-Go Benefits: The United Gateway℠ Card offers 25% back on United inflight purchases. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® Card provides 1,000 bonus points for each eligible paid stay booked with Marriott.
• Airport Lounge Access: Neither card offers complimentary access to airport lounges as a standard benefit.
• Travel Protections: Both cards offer valuable travel protections, such as car rental loss and damage insurance, though specific coverage terms and conditions vary.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards using your own spending data.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, Kudos lets you simulate how much you could earn with a new card based on your actual transaction history, giving you a personalized projection of its value.
• Personalized matching: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending habits.
• Approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop with Kudos partners.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers and those new to travel rewards cards. Its lack of an annual fee makes it an accessible, low-risk option for earning MileagePlus miles on everyday spending without the commitment of a premium card. Budget-conscious travelers will also appreciate the absence of foreign transaction fees, as detailed in this United Gateway℠ Review.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is tailored for frequent Marriott guests looking to maximize their stays with elite status and bonus points. It's also a strong contender for moderate-to-high spenders who can comfortably meet the $15,000 annual spending requirement to unlock the valuable Free Night Award. Beyond travel, the card appeals to everyday reward maximizers who want to earn accelerated points on dining and at U.S. supermarkets, as detailed in our full review.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, you've reviewed the United Gateway℠ Card vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card comparison and neither option feels quite right for your travel style. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and we have a few other excellent alternatives for you 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 score to ensure it meets the card’s requirements.
• Plan your spending to meet the requirements for the welcome offer.
• Review issuer application rules, especially if you have other cards from the same bank.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically to align with planned travel or large purchases.
• Prepare loyalty program details, as some co-branded cards require an account number to apply.
• Consider your long-term habits to ensure the card’s benefits align with your typical spending.

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 and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy cards?

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The United Gateway℠ Card has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for occasional United flyers. In contrast, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card carries a significant annual fee that covers its more premium travel benefits.

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Can I transfer points between United MileagePlus and Marriott Bonvoy?

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You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to the United MileagePlus program, but the reverse is not possible. This one-way transferability is a key factor for travelers who want to consolidate their rewards for flights.

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Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday spending?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ card generally offers stronger bonus rewards on broad everyday categories like dining and at U.S. supermarkets. The United Gateway℠ Card's bonus categories are more narrowly focused on gas stations, local transit, and United purchases.

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