United Gateway vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: Which Is Better In 2025?

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2350", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Cash Back at Altitude Reward Center"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

This section breaks down why the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® stands out.

‍

• It offers a generous 3x points on travel and mobile wallet purchases, which is a high earning rate for common spending categories.
• Although the card has an annual fee, it provides a significant annual travel credit to help offset that cost.
• The $325 annual travel credit effectively reduces the $400 annual fee to $75, making it easier to justify keeping the card long-term (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Features a high rewards rate on travel and mobile wallet purchases, making it easy to accumulate points on everyday spending.
• Comes with a suite of travel perks, including an annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and a fee credit for expedited security screening programs.
• Offers flexible redemption options, including a unique feature that lets you use points to pay for recent purchases in real-time.

‍

Cons

‍

• Carries a significant annual fee.
• Eligibility is restricted to existing U.S. Bank customers.
• Offers limited redemption flexibility, with no option to transfer points to airline or hotel partners.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® vs United Gateway

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, United Gateway or U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, depends entirely on your travel habits and spending style. These two cards cater to very different types of travelers, from the occasional flyer to the premium jet-setter.

‍

• United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level travel card designed for United Airlines loyalists who fly occasionally and prefer to avoid an annual fee.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a premium travel rewards card best suited for frequent travelers and tech-savvy spenders who can maximize its benefits.

‍

Redemption

‍

United Gateway℠ Card: Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with United and its airline partners. Miles can also be used for other travel purchases, such as hotel stays and car rentals, through the United travel portal.

‍

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Points offer more flexible redemption, allowing you to book travel through the U.S. Bank rewards center or redeem them for real-time statement credits against travel and mobile wallet purchases.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Foreign Transaction Fees: The United Gateway℠ Card includes a foreign transaction fee on international purchases, whereas the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card does not, making it a better choice for overseas travel.
• Airport Lounge Access: Altitude Reserve cardholders receive a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, granting access to a global network of airport lounges. The United Gateway card does not come with any lounge access benefits.
• Travel Credits: A significant perk of the Altitude Reserve card is an annual statement credit that can be applied to eligible travel purchases. The United Gateway card does not offer a comparable travel credit.
• Application Fee Credits: The Altitude Reserve card offers a statement credit to cover the application fee for either TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. This benefit is not included with the United Gateway card.
• Airline-Specific Perks: The United Gateway card provides a discount on in-flight purchases like food, beverages, and Wi-Fi aboard United-operated flights. The Altitude Reserve, being a general travel card, does not offer perks specific to one airline.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

For a data-driven approach to finding the right card, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of options and see personalized recommendations.

‍

• Test Drive Cards: Before you apply, you can test drive any credit card using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections without impacting your credit score.
• Approval Odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your chances of approval for specific cards based on your credit report.
• Exclusive Rewards & Guarantees: Members can unlock Kickstart+ Rewards, get a welcome offer guarantee, and earn extra Kudos Boost rewards when shopping.
• Personalized Insights: Get matched to cards that will earn you the most based on your spending history and receive actionable insights to maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

‍

The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who want to accumulate MileagePlus miles on everyday spending without committing to an annual fee. It's also well-suited for credit card beginners and budget-conscious travelers, thanks to its straightforward rewards structure and lack of foreign transaction fees. For those already in the Chase ecosystem or just starting their travel rewards journey, this entry-level option provides a solid foundation for earning travel perks.

Who Should Choose the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite®?

‍

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® is tailored for existing U.S. Bank customers who are frequent travelers and heavy users of mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. This persona can maximize value by earning 3x points on both travel and mobile wallet purchases, which helps to offset the $400 annual fee. With flexible redemption options and a suite of travel perks, this premium travel card is ideal for those who want to leverage their everyday spending for significant travel rewards.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our United Gateway℠ Card vs. U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card comparison didn't land you on the perfect card, there are several other strong contenders worth exploring.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score: Ensure your credit is in good standing before applying for a new card.
• Review issuer rules: Be aware of specific application restrictions, such as Chase’s 5/24 rule or U.S. Bank’s customer requirement.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application strategically: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any welcome offer spending requirements.
• Fulfill unique requirements: Some cards, like the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, may require an existing banking relationship before you can apply.
• Consider your starting point: An entry-level option like the United Gateway℠ Card can be a great way to earn rewards without a yearly commitment.

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

‍

Is the United Gateway Card good for beginners?

‍

Yes, with no annual fee and straightforward rewards on United purchases, gas, and local transit, the United Gateway Card is an excellent entry-level airline card. It allows you to earn miles without a significant upfront commitment.

‍

What makes the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve a premium travel card?

‍

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is considered a premium card due to its substantial annual travel and dining credits, along with complimentary airport lounge access. These benefits are designed for frequent travelers who can maximize their value.

‍

Can I earn bonus miles with the United Gateway Card?

‍

Yes, the United Gateway Card typically offers a welcome bonus for new cardmembers after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months. It also provides bonus miles on specific spending categories.

‍