The United Gateway℠ Card*The information for the United Gateway℠ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. might not have the most flashy perks, but for frequent fliers who eschew annual fees, it can help accelerate your rewards-earning.
United Gateway Credit Card basics
- Annual fee: $0.
- Welcome bonus: 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Rewards: 2 miles per $1 at United, gas stations and local transit and commuting and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
- Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months.
- Regular APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable.
- Other perks and benefits: 25% back on in-flight purchases; no foreign transaction fees.
- Does the issuer offer a preapproval tool? No.
- Recommended credit score: Good to excellent.
About the United Gateway Credit Card
The United Gateway Credit Card is rare among airline credit cards in that it doesn’t charge an annual fee – making it a good way to earn more United miles on your purchases, even if you only travel occasionally.
The welcome bonus and rewards on the United Gateway Card are modest, which is unsurprising on a no-annual-fee card, but they can still equal a nice boost toward reward travel. Cardholders can earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. You can also qualify for 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a regular 21.49% to 28.29% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
When it comes to rewards, United Gateway cardholders earn 2 miles per $1 at United, gas stations and local transit and commuting and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
Travel perks are certainly not as luxe as an airline card with an annual fee, but the United Gateway still offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and secondary car rental insurance plus 25% back on in-flight United purchases, including Wi-Fi, food and drinks.
Perhaps the biggest downside to be aware of when compared to other United co-branded cards is that it’s the only card in the United family that doesn’t offer expanded saver award availability, meaning cardholders of any of the airline’s other co-branded get access to even lower economy award prices, helping them stretch their miles even further.
Pros
- Intro APR on new purchases: Cardholders who have a big purchase to make that want to pay down their balance over time without interest can enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a regular 21.49% to 28.29% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees: Not only does the Gateway card not charge an annual fee, but you won’t pay a surcharge on international purchases either.
- Discount on in-flight purchases: When you buy food, drinks, or Wi-Fi on board a United flight with your Gateway card, you’ll get 25% back on the cost as a statement credit.
Cons
- Minimal flight perks: Unlike other airline cards, the Gateway card doesn’t offer perks like free checked bags or priority boarding.
- Low rewards rate: The rewards rate on the Gateway card leaves much to be desired, especially on non-travel purchases.
- No intro APR on balance transfers: While the Gateway card does come with a low intro APR on new purchases, it doesn’t extend this offer to balance transfers – a downside for those carrying a balance on another card.
United Gateway Credit Card rewards
The United Gateway Card doesn’t have the highest welcome bonus on the market, but it’s still a healthy amount of miles for a card with no annual fee. New cardholders can earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Similarly, the rewards rate on the Gateway card is not the most lucrative. You’ll earn 2 miles per $1 at United, gas stations and local transit and commuting and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
All your miles will be automatically deposited to your MileagePlus account where you can redeem for flights, upgrades, or combine with cash to pay for your travel.
United Gateway Card rewards potential
The United Gateway Card doesn’t have the highest rewards potential, however, it does outpace some other airline credit cards thanks to earning above-average rewards on everyday purchases like transit in addition to flights.
Using government data and other publicly available information, we estimate that a household in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has an annual income of $84,352 and $25,087 in expenses they are likely to be able to charge to a credit card.
Of that amount, we estimate the average consumer spends $1,188 on flights and $3,009 on gas and transit.
| Spending category | Spending categorySpending amount | Miles per dollar | Miles earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| United purchases | $1,188 | 2 miles | 2,376 miles |
| Gas and transit | $3,009 | 2 miles | 6,018 miles |
| Other | $20,890 | 1 mile | 20,890 miles |
| TOTAL | $111,111 | 29,284 miles |
The value of those 29,284 miles will vary depending on how you redeem them. For example, you can fly one-way on a saver award flight in economy from Miami to Chicago’s O’Hare on Nov. 22, 2023 starting at 13,200 miles for a non-stop economy flight which includes a carry-on and advance seat selection.
The cash price for those same 13,200 mile flights as of this writing was $185 making the value of a United mile in that scenario worth 1.4 cents.
A one-way nonstop flight from Seattle to Newark on Sept. 1, 2023 starts at 20,800 miles.
The cash price for that 20,800 mile flight as of this writing was priced at $239, making the value of a United mile in that scenario worth 1.1 cents.
United Gateway Card APR
The United Gateway Card offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a regular 21.49% to 28.29% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
How the United Gateway Credit Card compares to other airline cards
United Gateway Card vs. United℠ Explorer Card*The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Frequent United fliers looking to unlock a greater level of perks might consider shelling out the annual fee for the United Explorer Card, which has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Not only does the United Explorer Card come with a larger intro bonus of 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, but you’ll qualify for additional travel benefits including your first checked bag free for yourself and a companion on the same reservation, priority boarding and up to $100 in statement credits toward a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership every four years. Plus, ownership of this United card unlocks access to United’s expanded saver economy awards.
United Gateway Card vs. American Airlines AAdvantage® Mile Up®*The information for the American Airlines AAdvantage® Mile Up® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card is another airline card on the market that doesn’t charge an annual fee, but it focuses rewards on American Airlines instead.
You can earn 10,000 miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Like the United Gateway Card, its only travel perk is a 25% discount on in-flight purchases. But the AAdvantage MileUp might have better rewards potential for many spenders, as it offers 2 AAdvantage miles per $1 at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services, 2 AAdvantage miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 point AAdvantage mile per $1 on all other purchases.
United Gateway Card vs. Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card*The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Even the annual fee-averse have some great flexible travel cards available to them – like the Wells Fargo Autograph Card. Its ongoing rewards rate can be incredibly lucrative, earning 3 points per $1 at restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. That’s a much broader range of spending categories to earn elevated rewards on than what the United Gateway card offers. And with the Autograph card, you can redeem your rewards for travel, or opt to use them for gift cards or statement credits instead. The card also offers 20,000 points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Should you get the United Gateway Credit Card?
The United Gateway Credit Card might not have the flashiest travel perks on the market, but it still offers some value to frequent United fliers. Plus, with no annual fee, it doesn’t cost anything to earn some extra miles.
That said, unless your primary goal is to earn United miles on your spending without paying an annual fee, most will be better off with either a more general purpose card or paying an annual fee for a United credit card that comes with more perks than this one.
United Gateway Credit Card summary
| United Gateway Credit Card details | ||
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | |
| Rewards | 2 miles per $1 at United, gas stations and local transit and commuting and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases | |
| APR | 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a regular 21.49% to 28.29% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies | |
| Foreign transaction fee | $0 | |
| Major perks and benefits | 25% back on in-flight United purchases | |
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The credit limit on the United Gateway card will vary by cardholder. Issuers determine your limit based on creditworthiness.
The United Gateway Card is recommended for cardholders with good to excellent credit, which FICO defines as a score above 670.
All miles earned on the United Gateway Card are automatically deposited to your MileagePlan account, where they can be redeemed for flights or upgrades.
FAQs
What is the credit limit on a United Gateway card? ›
What is the credit limit for the United Gateway℠ Card? The minimum starting credit limit for the United Gateway℠ Card is $1,000. Chase determines your card's credit limit based on your credit worthiness. Depending on your income and credit history, you may qualify for a higher credit limit.
Is United Gateway a credit card? ›The United Gateway Card is United's no-annual-fee, entry-level credit card that rewards cardmembers with United Airlines MileagePlus miles. The credit card is offered in partnership with Chase.
Can you cancel United card before annual fee? ›You can't cancel an activated credit card before the annual fee is charged.
Can I upgrade from United Gateway to United Explorer? ›Yes, you can switch from the United Gateway Card to the United Explorer Card explorer. Although the United Explorer has a modest annual fee, it will offer you more travel perks compared to the United Gateway card including lounge access, priority boarding and a free checked bag.
What is the highest limit of credit card? ›The highest credit card limit you can get is over $100,000 according to anecdotes from credit card holders. But like most credit cards in general, even the highest-limit credit cards will only list minimum spending limits in their terms.
What is maximum available credit limit? ›A credit limit is the maximum amount of money a lender will allow you to spend using a particular credit card or revolving line of credit. Lenders set those limits based on several factors, including your credit score, personal income, and loan repayment history.
What is the difference between credit card and payment gateway? ›A payment gateway is a system that collects and verifies a customer's credit card information before sending it to the payment processor. A payment processor, on the other hand, is a service that routes a customer's credit card information between your point-of-sale system and the customer's card network or bank.
Can I use my United gateway card anywhere? ›Yes, you can use your United Gateway Card everywhere that accepts cards on the Visa network. That means you can use the card virtually everywhere in the world. The United Gateway Card has a foreign transaction fee of $0, which means you won't incur extra charges for international purchases.
What does gateway mean on credit card? ›Gateways are payment services — typically provided for an additional fee — that process credit cards online through an e-commerce site or in-person through a credit card terminal.
Can I cancel my credit card to avoid the annual fee? ›Pay Off Your Balance in Full
Most banks and credit card companies have a grace period of at least 30 days where you can cancel the card and still get the annual fee refunded. Operating this way, you have the option to call for a possible retention offer after your annual fee posts.
Is it bad to close a credit card with zero balance? ›
When you shouldn't close your credit card. Canceling a credit card — even one with zero balance — can end up hurting your credit score in multiple ways. A temporary dip in score can also lessen your chances of getting approved for new credit.
What happens if you cancel a credit card before annual fee? ›If a card has an annual fee, you'll pay it at the beginning of your cardmember year and have all of the relevant benefits for the rest of that year. Canceling the card before the year is up means you're missing out on perks for which you've already paid. Some card issuers even explicitly advise against doing this.
Can you ask United for a free upgrade? ›You're automatically eligible for a Complimentary Premier Upgrade as long as you are a Premier member (the higher your status, the earlier you become eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades and are flying on an eligible ticket on any eligible United-operated flight.
How much is 80 000 United miles worth? ›Yes, a $25,000 credit limit is good, as it is above the national average. The average credit card limit overall is around $13,000, and people who have higher limits than that typically have good to excellent credit, a high income and little to no existing debt.
What is the credit limit for 50000 salary? ›What will be my credit limit for a salary of ₹50,000? Typically, your credit limit is 2 or 3 times of your current salary. So, if your salary is ₹50,000, you can expect your credit limit to be anywhere between ₹1 lakh and ₹1.5 lakh.
Is a $10,000 credit limit high? ›Is a $10,000 credit limit good? Yes a $10,000 credit limit is good for a credit card. Most credit card offers have much lower minimum credit limits than that, since $10,000 credit limits are generally for people with excellent credit scores and high income.
How much should I spend on a $5000 credit limit? ›This means you should take care not to spend more than 30% of your available credit at any given time. For instance, let's say you had a $5,000 monthly credit limit on your credit card. According to the 30% rule, you'd want to be sure you didn't spend more than $1,500 per month, or 30%.
What is a normal credit limit? ›What is considered a “normal” credit limit among most Americans? The average American had access to $30,233 in credit across all of their credit cards in 2021, according to Experian. But the average credit card balance was $5,221 — well below the average credit limit.
How much should I spend if my credit limit is $1000? ›A good guideline is the 30% rule: Use no more than 30% of your credit limit to keep your debt-to-credit ratio strong. Staying under 10% is even better. In a real-life budget, the 30% rule works like this: If you have a card with a $1,000 credit limit, it's best not to have more than a $300 balance at any time.
What are the disadvantages of payment gateway? ›
What are the Limitations of Payment Gateways? They are not mobile-friendly, not merchant-friendly, and don't facilitate recurring payments. They impose a fee when a chargeback occurs – a dispute for a certain online transaction raised by the purchaser who apprises the bank that has issued the card.
How does gateway payment work? ›When using a payment gateway, customers and businesses need to work together to make a transaction. Once your customer has placed an order, the payment gateway verifies the customer's card details and checks if they have enough funds in their account to pay you.
How many different payment gateways are there? ›Three Types of Payment Gateways.
Do I get a free checked bag with United Gateway card? ›No free checked bag or added travel benefits.
The United Gateway℠ Card is a little light on additional cardholder benefits. That's not surprising considering it's a $0-annual-fee card, but if you're looking for more, you might consider upgrading to the United℠ Explorer Card.
The United Gateway Card doesn't charge an annual fee and earns MileagePlus miles, which don't expire.
Should I have 3 credit cards? ›It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.
What is a gateway fee? ›Payment gateway charges are the cost incurred by a business to facilitate online payment via the chosen payment gateway on the website or app. The payment gateway charges are determined as a percentage of an online payment amount and depend upon the type of online payment methods used by the customer.
Which of the following is an example of a gateway in a credit card transaction? ›Examples of Payment Gateways
There are multiple options to choose from when you are looking for third-party payment gateways but the most common ones are PayPal, Stripe, Amazon Pay, 2Checkout, Apple Pay, Square and Authorize.net.
Gateway rejections are blocked by your gateway settings, while declined transactions are blocked by the customer's bank. ... A gateway rejection indicates that the transaction did not pass the duplicate transaction checking settings, AVS/CVV rules, or risk threshold rules in your Braintree Control Panel.
Is it better to cancel a credit card or keep it? ›Canceling a credit card can shorten the average age of all accounts, which can negatively affect your score. If your score has already dropped due to other negative items, such as late payments or large debt balances, it's probably best to keep the account open instead of closing it.
Does it hurt your credit to close a credit card with an annual fee? ›
With that in mind, you should know that your credit history will not be damaged by closing a card. As long as you used the account responsibly and made each payment on time and avoid charge-offs while the account was open, closing an account won't look bad on your credit history at all.
How do I not pay my credit card annual fee? ›- Call your issuer. ...
- See if your issuer will waive the fee in exchange for card usage. ...
- Ask your issuer to match another offer. ...
- Ask to cancel. ...
- Use military benefits. ...
- Switch to a different card. ...
- Earn rewards to offset the fee. ...
- Apply for a card that doesn't charge a fee.
Similarly, if you pay off a credit card debt and close the account entirely, your scores could drop. This is because your total available credit is lowered when you close a line of credit, which could result in a higher credit utilization ratio.
Should I pay off my credit card in full or leave a small balance? ›It's a good idea to pay off your credit card balance in full whenever you're able. Carrying a monthly credit card balance can cost you in interest and increase your credit utilization rate, which is one factor used to calculate your credit scores.
Do too many credit cards hurt your credit? ›Having too many open credit lines, even if you're not using them, can hurt your credit score by making you look more risky to lenders. Having multiple active accounts also makes it more challenging to control spending and keep track of payment due dates.
How do I cancel a credit card with annual fee without hurting credit? ›A credit card can be canceled without harming your credit score. To avoid damage to your credit score, paying down credit card balances first (not just the one you're canceling) is key. Closing a charge card won't affect your credit history (history is a factor in your overall credit score).
What is credit card churning? ›Credit card churning is the process of opening cards for the sole purpose of earning welcome bonuses or other benefits. Usually, it involves closing cards after the bonus posts to your account and before the next annual fee is charged.
What credit score is excellent? ›Although ranges vary depending on the credit scoring model, generally credit scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair; 670 to 739 are considered good; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and up are considered excellent.
What is the minimum credit limit for United Quest card? ›What is the credit limit for the United Quest℠ Card? The minimum starting credit limit for the United Quest℠ Card is $5,000. Depending on your income and creditworthiness, Chase could approve you for a higher amount.
What is the standard credit card limit? ›But even with good credit, the average credit limit you can expect to get with a first credit card is generally between $500 and $1,000. Average credit: If you have fair credit, expect a credit limit of around $300 to $500. Poor credit: Credit limits between $100 and $300 are common for people with poor credit scores.
Can I use my United Gateway card instantly after approval? ›
If you get instantly approved, you will be able to use your United Gateway Card straight away, to make online purchases through the United Airlines website.
Is there an unlimited credit card limit? ›No, there aren't any no limit credit cards. All credit cards have some sort of limit at the end of the day. No credit card gives cardholders unlimited purchasing power.
What is the minimum credit limit? ›A minimum credit limit is the lowest amount of credit available for a specific card. Standard personal credit card limits usually start at $500. A maximum credit limit is the most you could charge to a credit card, and it usually goes up to $15,000. However, some cards have no limit or set the limit high at $100,000.
Is it hard to get approved for the United Quest card? ›You need a credit score of 700 or better to get the United Quest Card. That means people with at least good credit have a shot at getting approved for this card.
What credit score is needed for the United Club Infinite Card? ›If you're interested in applying for the United Club℠ Infinite Card, you should have good to excellent credit, meaning a FICO® Score of at least 670. Although your credit score is one of many factors a card issuer will use to evaluate your application, it's difficult to get rewards or travel cards without good credit.
Is it good to have a high credit limit on your credit card? ›Increasing your credit limit can lower your credit utilization ratio, potentially boosting your credit score. A credit score is an important metric that lenders use to judge a borrower's ability to repay. A higher credit limit can also be an efficient way to make large purchases and provide a source of emergency funds.