United Gateway vs Wyndham Earner Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card a compelling choice for brand loyalists.

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• The card offers accelerated points on gas, dining, and grocery purchases, in addition to stays at Wyndham properties.
• For an annual fee, cardholders receive automatic Platinum elite status and anniversary bonus points each year.
• The 7,500 anniversary bonus points can be enough for up to one free night, which can offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earn accelerated rewards on hotel stays and in popular spending categories like gas and dining.
• Receive automatic Platinum status in the Wyndham Rewards program, unlocking travel perks like early check-in.
• Get a deposit of bonus points into your account each anniversary year.

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Cons

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• Charges an annual fee without offering a complimentary anniversary night certificate, a perk common on similar hotel cards.
• The anniversary bonus points awarded each year may only be enough for a free night at lower-tier properties.
• Rewards lack flexibility, as points are most valuable when redeemed for Wyndham stays.

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Gateway or Wyndham Earner Plus, comes down to your specific travel style and brand loyalty.

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• United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers and credit card beginners who want to earn miles without an annual commitment.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is tailored for frequent travelers loyal to Wyndham properties who want to maximize rewards on stays and enjoy elite status benefits.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles earned with this card are redeemable for flights with United and its extensive network of airline partners. You can also use your miles for other travel purchases, such as hotel stays and car rentals.

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Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: The points you accumulate can be used for free or discounted nights at Wyndham's vast portfolio of hotels and vacation rentals. Other options include redeeming points for gift cards, merchandise, and experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Network: The United Gateway℠ Card is integrated with the United Airlines and Star Alliance network, allowing you to use miles for flights, hotels, and car rentals through the United portal. In contrast, the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is centered on Wyndham's extensive portfolio of hotels and vacation rentals, with points redeemable through the Wyndham Rewards platform.
• Elite Status: With the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card, you automatically receive Platinum status in the Wyndham Rewards program, unlocking benefits like early check-in and late checkout. The United Gateway℠ Card does not offer any complimentary airline elite status.
• In-Travel Benefits: The United Gateway℠ Card offers 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases, including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United flights. The Wyndham card's primary in-travel perks are tied to its Platinum status, such as preferred room choice and bonus points on stays.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the United Gateway℠ Card and the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card charge a foreign transaction fee, making them less ideal for international spending.
• Lounge Access: Neither card includes complimentary access to airport lounges.
• Additional Perks: The United Gateway℠ Card comes with valuable travel protections, including an Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance. The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card provides benefits like car rental upgrades with Avis and Budget.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: The platform's "Test Drive" feature lets you see how much a new card could earn you based on your actual spending history, all without a hard credit pull.
• Compare thousands of cards: Kudos allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, providing a broad and unbiased selection to find the best fit for you.
• Get personalized recommendations: By securely connecting your bank accounts, you can receive data-driven card recommendations and see detailed approval odds based on your credit report.
• Access exclusive rewards: Members can earn extra rewards through programs like Kudos Boost and may be eligible for a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.

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 want to earn MileagePlus miles without committing to an annual fee. It's also well-suited for beginners in the travel rewards world, thanks to its straightforward earning structure and manageable welcome bonus. Additionally, budget-conscious travelers or existing Chase customers will find value in its lack of foreign transaction fees and a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, after which a 20.24% - 28.74% variable APR applies.

Who Should Choose the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus?

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The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is an excellent fit for travelers loyal to the Wyndham brand, including its hotels, vacation rentals, and timeshares. Its rewards are maximized by those who also use the card for everyday spending on gas, dining, and at grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart). Ultimately, it's designed for users who want to leverage their spending to gain automatic Platinum status and earn points toward free nights, a strategy detailed in this card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If neither card in our United Gateway℠ Card vs. Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Plus Card comparison feels like the perfect match, don't fret. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might be a better fit 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 – Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan to meet the welcome offer – Ensure you can reach the minimum spending requirement responsibly to earn the bonus.
• Review the rewards program – Understand how to use your points or miles, as some are more flexible than others.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules – Some banks have restrictions on how many cards you can open within a certain period.
• Time your application wisely – Apply when you can meet the spending goal and confirm the offer is still available.
• Use a trusted application channel – Certain platforms may provide access to elevated offers or a more streamlined process.

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 has a higher annual fee?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is a no-annual-fee card, making it a cost-effective option for travelers. In contrast, the Wyndham Rewards® Earner® Plus Card typically carries a modest annual fee.

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Are these cards good for everyday spending?

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Both cards offer bonus rewards on specific spending categories, but their suitability for everyday use depends on your habits. The United Gateway℠ Card rewards spending with United, at gas stations, and on local transit, while the Wyndham Rewards® Earner® Plus Card focuses on Wyndham hotel stays, gas, and groceries.

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Can I get a free checked bag with either card?

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Neither the United Gateway℠ Card nor the Wyndham Rewards® Earner® Plus Card includes a free checked bag benefit. This popular travel perk is generally reserved for more premium airline co-branded credit cards.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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Both cards are excellent choices for international travel, as neither typically charges foreign transaction fees. The best option depends on whether you value earning miles with a global airline alliance or points with an international hotel chain.

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