United Gateway vs Wells Fargo Autograph: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wells Fargo Autograph Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card.

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• It earns elevated rewards across several popular spending categories like restaurants, travel, gas, and streaming services.
• Cardholders pay no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for everyday use and travel.
• Spending $1,000 in the first three months is all it takes to earn the card's welcome bonus (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers an introductory interest-free period on purchases, giving you time to pay off large expenses.
• Provides valuable cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly bill with the card.
• Features the ability to transfer points to several airline and hotel partners, a rare perk for a card with no annual fee.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or airline-specific perks.
• The list of travel transfer partners is less extensive than those offered by competing rewards programs.
• Applicants generally need good to excellent credit to be approved.

Wells Fargo Autograph vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding which is better United Gateway or Wells Fargo Autograph depends entirely on your spending habits and travel goals. One card is built for airline loyalists, while the other offers broad rewards across everyday categories.

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• United Gateway℠ Card is best for occasional United Airlines flyers looking to earn frequent flyer miles. It's an entry-level card designed for those loyal to the airline who don't travel enough to need a premium card.
• Wells Fargo Autograph® Card excels for those who want to earn high rewards on a wide range of everyday spending categories like dining, travel, and gas. It's a versatile option for consumers who value a simple rewards structure.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Rewards are earned as miles that are redeemed within the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights on United and its partner airlines. You can also use miles for other travel like hotel stays, car rentals, and unique experiences.

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Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: The points you earn offer flexible redemption options, including cash back, gift cards, and travel booked through the Wells Fargo portal. Additionally, points can be transferred to a number of airline and hotel loyalty programs.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: The travel perks are centered entirely around the United Airlines ecosystem. Miles are redeemed through the MileagePlus program for flights on United and its Star Alliance partners. Cardholders also receive 25% back on in-flight purchases aboard United flights. This card does not charge foreign transaction fees, but it does not offer airport lounge access.
• Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: This card provides a more flexible travel ecosystem. You can redeem points for flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Wells Fargo travel portal or transfer them to a selection of airline and hotel loyalty programs. Like the Gateway card, it has no foreign transaction fees and does not include airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial tool that helps you compare thousands of credit cards to find the best option for your unique spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before applying, you can simulate how much you would earn with a specific card. Kudos uses your real transaction history to provide personalized calculations of potential rewards.
• Approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Financial monitoring: Track your transactions, spending, and credit score to stay on top of your finances.
• Kudos Kickstart+: You can unlock $100 in rewards by adding certain approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who don't travel frequently enough to justify a card with an annual fee. It's also a strong contender for credit card beginners and budget-conscious travelers, as this no-fee United Airlines option has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, it suits anyone looking to earn United MileagePlus miles on everyday purchases without committing to a premium travel card.

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Autograph?

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The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is an excellent choice for consumers looking to earn significant rewards on both everyday spending and travel without the burden of an annual fee. It particularly suits those who frequently spend on dining, transit, gas, and streaming services, and even individuals just dipping their toes into travel rewards will find its point system easy to navigate. As detailed in a NerdWallet review, the card is designed for users with good to excellent credit.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, our United Gateway℠ Card vs. Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card comparison didn't produce a clear winner for you? That's perfectly fine, as there are several other excellent travel cards that could be a better match.

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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 – Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending – Ensure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.
• Understand the rewards – Know how you will use the points or miles to maximize their value.

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Application Strategy

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• Be aware of any issuer-specific application rules that could impact your eligibility.
• Align your application with your travel needs, as some cards may not include premium benefits.
• Look for special introductory offers, such as a temporary break on purchase interest.

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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Which card is better for someone who doesn't fly United Airlines often?

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The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is generally the better choice for those who don't frequently fly with United Airlines, as its rewards are more flexible and apply to a wider range of common spending categories.

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Do either of these cards have an annual fee?

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No, neither the United Gateway Card nor the Wells Fargo Autograph Card charges an annual fee, making both of them cost-effective options to keep in your wallet long-term.

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Can I use the points from the Wells Fargo Autograph Card for United flights?

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You cannot directly transfer Wells Fargo Rewards points to the United MileagePlus program. However, you can book travel, including some United flights, by redeeming your points through the Wells Fargo travel portal.

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