Find Your Best
United Club℠ Infinite Card
vs. United Gateway Card
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Updated: March 19, 2024
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For the frequent traveler loyal to United Airlines, the United Club℠ Infinite Card offers generous rewards including four miles per dollar spent on United purchases and two miles per dollar on travel-related expenses such as dining. The United Club Infinite also comes with premium perks including United lounge access, first and second checked bags are complementary and priority boarding which may offer a frequent traveler enough value to offset the $525 annual fee. However, if you’re looking to earn miles on everyday purchases like gas and local commute expenses, the United Gateway Card earns you miles at two miles per dollar spent on these categories. The United Gateway is a good choice if you want a low-cost travel card since it has no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees.
Comparison Overview: United Club℠ Infinite Card vs. United Gateway Card
- United Club℠ Infinite CardUnited Gateway Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
United Club℠ Infinite Card At a Glance
If you’re a frequent traveler on United looking for premium perks, the rewards and benefits of the United Club℠ Infinite Card can justify the $525 annual fee. The United Club Infinite Card offers travelers a generous four miles per dollar spent on United purchases. You also earn two miles per dollar on dining and hotel expenses and one mile per dollar on all other purchases. United Club Infinite cardholders also get complimentary access to all United Club locations and eligible Star Alliance lounges worldwide. You also get free checked bags and priority check-in, screening, boarding, and baggage handling.
- United Club℠ Infinite Card
An excellent card for earning United’s MileagePlus miles
- 1–4 Miles per $1*Rewards Rate
- 21.99% - 28.99% VariableAPR
- $525Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- Generous bonus miles offer
- Potentially high rewards on United, travel and dining purchases
- Complimentary travel perks
- With discounts on United flights
Cons
- Substantial annual fee
- High variable APR
- Main rewards focused on United spending
- High credit requirement
- Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in the first three months
- Earn 4 miles for every $1 spent on United® transactions
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on dining (including eligible delivery services like GrubHub, Caviar, Seamless and DoorDash)
- Earn 1 mile for each $1 spent on all additional purchases
- Complimentary first and second checked bags offering savings up to $320 per roundtrip (conditions apply), along with Premier Access® travel amenities
- Benefit from a 10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards within the continental U.S. and Canada
- Opportunity to earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points, with 500 PQP per $12K spent
- Regular APR ranges between 21.99% and 28.99% (variable)
- Annual fee of $525
- Member FDIC
United Gateway Card At a Glance
The United Gateway Card is ideal for those who don’t travel frequently but still want to earn reward miles. With the United Gateway Card, you can earn miles on everyday spending at two miles per dollar spent on gas station purchases and for your local commuting expenses. You also get two miles per dollar for United purchases and one mile per dollar for all other eligible purchases. While this card doesn’t have luxury travel perks, you still have access to: purchase protection, 25% back on United in-flight food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases and no foreign transaction fees.
- United Gateway Card
A great no-annual-fee rewards card for people who fly United
- 1 Mile per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.99% - 28.99% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- No annual fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- No blackout dates for redeeming miles
- 25% cash back on United in-flight purchases
- Travel and purchase cover
- Use for balance transfers
Cons
- Penalty APR may apply if you make a late payment
- High balance transfer and cash advance fees
- Earn 20,000 bonus miles
- No annual fee
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
- Member FDIC
Comparison Summary
You can compare the benefits and features of the United Club℠ Infinite Card and the United Gateway Card to see which card suits your needs best.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection | United Club℠ Infinite Card can reimburse you up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for your prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses for canceled trips while the United Gateway Card will reimburse you up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip. The United Club Infinite comes with purchase protection for 120 days of up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year but the United Gateway per claim limit is $500. Winner: United Club℠ Infinite Card |
Welcome Bonus | The United Club Infinite card offers a welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus miles for cardholders who spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months while the United Gateway has a welcome bonus of 20,000 miles if you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months. Winner: United Club℠ Infinite Card |
Rewards | The United Club℠ Infinite Card earns you four miles per dollar on United purchases, two miles per dollar on dining and all other travel-related purchases and one mile per dollar on all other purchases. The United Gateway earns two miles per dollar on United purchases, gas station purchases and local commute expenses such as tolls and rideshare services and one mile per dollar on all eligible purchases. Winner: United Club℠ Infinite Card |
Annual Fee | The United Club℠ Infinite Card has a $525 annual fee while the United Gateway has no annual fee. Winner: United Gateway Card |
Loyalty Programs | The United Club℠ Infinite Card and the United Explorer offer premier upgrades on award tickets, United plus card member exclusives and Platinum Elite status with IHG. You can also earn Premier qualifying points to apply towards Premier status tiers. The United Gateway Card earns you MileagePlus miles that can be redeemed for gateways and unique experiences but does not earn any Premier points. Winner: United Club℠ Infinite Card |
Which Card Should You Get?
When deciding whether to go for the United Club℠ Infinite Card or United Gateway Card, it’s important to consider how you can get the most value out of each of these Chase credit cards.
Who Should Consider the United Club℠ Infinite Card?
The United Club℠ Infinite Card has a hefty $525 annual fee but it may still be a great travel card option for you. This card is better than the United Gateway in terms of travel perks and rewards earning rates. Go for the United Club Infinite if:
You travel frequently on United and want to access premium perks like priority boarding, free checked bags and access to United lounges.
You want to earn reward miles fast. With a rewards rate of four miles per dollar on United purchases, it is easy to rack up reward miles on the United Club Infinite especially if you travel frequently.
If you’re a member of the United Club, this card will offer you more value since you will get a refund for the unused portion of your membership fee.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the United Gateway Card?
The United Gateway Card is a solid card for those who do not travel frequently and want a card with no annual fee. The United Gateway card is better than the United Club Infinite if you don't travel often, but spend regularly on everyday purchases.
You want a travel card with no annual fees that will still give you value if you travel infrequently and allow you to earn United miles on your everyday purchases.
You want to earn miles for award flights, but do not necessarily need a card with premium United perks like priority boarding, lounge access or free checked bags.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
These two United cards are vastly different in their offering. The Gateway card is meant for travelers who fly one–three times per year, while the United Club Infinite is meant for United flyers that fly more than six times per year. Because of this, neither of these cards are ‘better’ than the other. Each card has a specific user it targets, and if you’re debating between the two cards, it should simply come down to how often you travel with United.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
You can learn more about the United Gateway Card and the United Club℠ Infinite Card in the frequently asked questions below.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card is better than the United Gateway Card if you travel frequently and want access to premium travel perks like lounge access and priority boarding. The United Club Infinite also offers a better reward rate for United purchases at four miles per dollar compared to United Gateway’s two miles per dollar.
Yes, you can get the United Club℠ Infinite Card if you have the United Gateway Card. However, the United Club℠ Infinite Card has a $525 annual fee. It’s important to note that Chase will not approve you for either of these cards if you have opened more than five personal credit cards in the past two years.
The points you earn on either card will all be in the same United MileagePlus account, so transferring points isn’t necessary.
Yes, you can switch from the United Club℠ Infinite Card to the United Gateway Card. Although you will not pay any annual fees for the United Gateway, you will miss out on the travel perks available on the United Club Infinite such as lounge access, priority boarding and free checked bags.
Both cards require a good to excellent credit score.
You need to spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months to get the 100,000 bonus miles on the United Club Infinite card. The United Gateway only requires you to spend $1,000 in the first three months to earn 20,000 reward miles.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
The United Club℠ Infinite Card is tailored for the luxury traveler looking for premium perks and hefty rewards. With an annual fee of $525, those who don’t travel United regularly may not get enough value from the United Club Infinite. However, the United Gateway has no annual fee and will benefit even those who don’t travel frequently since it offers miles on everyday purchases. However if you aren’t a United loyalist, you may also consider other travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card.
Learn more about credit cards in general
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
sources
- Chase.com. "United Gateway Credit Card." Accessed January 7, 2022.
- Chase.com. "United Club Infinite Card." Accessed January 7, 2022.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.