World of Hyatt vs United Gateway: Which Is Better In 2025?

United Gateway Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the United Gateway℠ Card stands out as a strong entry-level option.

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• With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees), this card is a cost-effective choice for both occasional domestic flyers and international travelers.
• It allows you to earn miles on everyday spending, with bonus rewards on United purchases, at gas stations, and on local transit.
• The value from the card's introductory bonus could easily cover the cost of a short-haul flight, offering immediate returns (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Comes with a suite of travel protections, including an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/interruption coverage.
• Features an introductory APR offer on purchases, which can be helpful for managing large expenses.
• You can add authorized users at no additional cost, allowing you to earn miles on their spending.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and airport lounge access that are often standard with other airline cards.
• The rewards structure is less robust than competitors, offering a smaller introductory bonus and limited bonus-earning categories.

United Gateway vs World of Hyatt

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, World of Hyatt or United Gateway, comes down to your primary travel loyalty. Each card caters to a different type of traveler, one focused on hotel stays and the other on airline flights.

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• The World of Hyatt Credit Card is best for frequent travelers who often stay at Hyatt properties and are looking to earn elite status and maximize hotel point redemptions.
• United Gateway℠ Card is ideal for occasional United Airlines flyers, credit card beginners, or budget-conscious travelers who want to earn airline miles without committing to an annual fee.

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Redemption

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Cardholders can redeem points for free nights at Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide, or use them for room upgrades and other on-property experiences.

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles earned with this card can be redeemed for award flights on United and its partner airlines, as well as for seat upgrades and other travel-related purchases.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The World of Hyatt Credit Card is built for international travel and does not charge foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the United Gateway℠ Card does assess a fee on purchases made abroad, making it less ideal for use outside the U.S.
• Lounge Access: While neither card grants immediate airport lounge access, the World of Hyatt card offers a pathway to it. Cardholders receive automatic Discoverist status and can earn higher elite tiers through spending, which can unlock access to exclusive Club lounges at Hyatt properties. The United Gateway℠ Card does not include any lounge access perks.
• Travel Network: Each card operates within a distinct travel ecosystem. The World of Hyatt card’s value is concentrated within Hyatt's global portfolio of hotels, resorts, and partners like Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The United Gateway℠ Card's benefits are tied to flights with United Airlines and its extensive network of Star Alliance partner airlines.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to make a data-driven decision, a tool like Kudos offers a comprehensive platform that evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards, providing personalized comparisons to help you find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test drive any credit card using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, without a hard credit pull.
• A welcome offer guarantee that matches any better offer you find within three months.
• Detailed approval odds based on your credit report to help you apply with confidence.
• Access to Kudos Boost, which provides extra rewards on top of your credit card points when shopping at participating stores.
• The opportunity to unlock a $100 Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• An automatic card selection tool that autofills the best card to use at checkout to maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the World of Hyatt?

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a natural fit for travelers who frequently stay at Hyatt properties and want to maximize their loyalty. It's also an excellent choice for those aiming to achieve elite status faster and for value-conscious travelers looking to get the most out of their hotel points. As this card review notes, with no foreign transaction fees and the ability for authorized users to help accumulate points, it also appeals to international travelers and families.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers and beginners in the travel rewards world who don't want to commit to an annual fee. It's also a strong contender for budget-conscious international travelers, as it has no foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, it serves those looking to earn MileagePlus miles on everyday purchases like gas and local transit without the pressure of a premium card, as detailed in this in-depth review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the choice between a hotel-specific card like the World of Hyatt and an airline-centric one such as the United Gateway doesn't align with your travel style, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that offer more flexibility or different perks.

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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.
• Review issuer rules: Be aware of application guidelines, like the Chase 5/24 rule, that could impact your eligibility.
• Plan your redemptions: Make sure the loyalty program's partner network aligns with your typical travel patterns.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Align your application with a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements naturally.
• Check for pre-approval: Use an issuer’s pre-approval tool, if available, to see your potential offers without a hard credit check.
• Don’t be discouraged: If you are not approved instantly, you can call the issuer’s reconsideration line to provide additional context.

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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Can I transfer points between my World of Hyatt and United accounts?

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Yes, you can transfer points between these two programs. World of Hyatt points can be converted to United MileagePlus miles, but it's important to check the current transfer ratio as it is not 1:1.

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Which card is better for someone new to travel rewards?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is often a good starting point for beginners as it has no annual fee. However, the World of Hyatt Credit Card can provide exceptional value if you frequently stay at Hyatt hotels, despite its annual fee.

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Do these cards have foreign transaction fees?

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Neither the World of Hyatt Credit Card nor the United Gateway℠ Card charges foreign transaction fees. This makes both cards suitable options for purchases made outside the United States.

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