MoneyGeek's Take
Chase United Gateway Review
With no annual fees, a solid welcome bonus and a decent rewards rate, the United Gateway Card is perfect for occasional travelers who want to earn miles at no additional cost. The card is great for people who like to fly United Airlines.
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The United Gateway Card is the newest addition to Chase’s line of United Airlines credit cards. Unlike most of its siblings, this card has no annual fee. The bonus categories are beneficial for frequent United flyers or commuters, as cardholders can get two MileagePlus miles per $1 spent on purchases at United Airlines, gas stations and local transit. All other purchases get one mile for every $1 spent. There’s no limit to the rate or how many miles you can get in a year.

Card Details to Know Up Front
- Bonus, Fee or FeatureHas or Not
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Chase United Gateway at a Glance
Chase’s United Gateway Card is an entry-level travel credit card with an attractive sign-up bonus and a decent rewards rate. This is perfect for infrequent travelers who still want to save on flights whenever possible.
- Chase United Gateway
A great no-annual-fee rewards card for people who fly United
- Good-ExcellentCredit Needed
- $0Annual Fee
- 1 Mile per $1Rewards Rate
- 2xRewards Rate on Air Travel
- 2xRewards Rate on Gas
Pros & Cons Explained
The lack of annual fees and welcome bonus make the United Gateway Card attractive, but it does come with some downsides that may cause others to prefer a more lucrative rewards card.
Pros
- BenefitsDescription
- No annual feesIf you want to save on annual fees, the United Gateway Card is the right fit for you. Unlike most airline credit cards, this card does not require any annual fees for the life of the card.
- No award restrictionsBook a United-operated flight with no blackout dates or other awards restrictions. As long as there’s a seat being sold on a flight, you can book it using your miles. There’s also no limit to how many miles you can gain, and there’s no expiration date for them either.
- No foreign transaction feesEnjoy no additional fees for any purchases made abroad.
- Attractive welcome bonusThe United Gateway card has a high welcome bonus for a no annual fee card, as you stand to earn up to 30,000 miles. Earn 15,000 miles after spending $1,000 within the first three months upon account opening and earn another 15,000 after spending $3,000 within the first six months.
- Extra protectionStay protected with card benefits like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, secondary auto rental insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
Cons
- DrawbacksDescription
- Limited bonus categoriesYou only earn 2X miles per $1 at gas stations, transit and United Airlines purchases. All other purchases only give you one mile per $1. In contrast, other airline credit cards have more popular bonus categories, such as dining, streaming and online grocery purchases.
- No additional travel benefitsOther airline credit cards give you Elite status, priority boarding or free checked bags. The United Gateway offers neither of these, which may be unattractive for frequent United flyers.
The Chase United Gateway is a top pick in MoneyGeek’s list of the best travel credit cards. Check out how this stacks against other cards if you’re looking to earn more rewards when you travel.
Bonuses & Rewards Explained
Despite its simplicity, the United Gateway Card is packed with value that any type of traveler can benefit from.
Rewards rate
Earn two MileagePlus miles for every $1 spent at gas stations, local transit (such as ridesharing, train tickets, taxis, etc.) and on any United Airlines purchases. All other purchases give you one mile per $1 spent. MileagePlus miles can be redeemed in many ways, such as air travel, hotel stays, car rentals and cruises.
Welcome bonus
The United Gateway Card has an easy-to-meet welcome bonus that lets you earn up to 30,000 bonus miles within the first six months of account opening. Spend $1,000 in the first three months to get 15,000 miles and get an additional 15,000 by spending a total of $3,000 within the first six months.
Cash back on in-flight purchases
Paying for United in-flight purchases such as food or beverages with your United Gateway Card gets you 25% back in statement credit.
Complimentary DashPass from DoorDash
Get 12 months of DashPass, which gives you $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees. You can use it on both DoorDash and Caviar applications, so long as you use the same login credentials.
Other Features Explained
Apart from the rewards rate and sign-up bonus, the United Gateway Card has additional features that cardholders can appreciate.
- Card FeatureDescription
- 24/7 customer serviceChase offers 24/7 customer service through their phone line. They also accept operator relay calls for those who are deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech disability.
- Account securityTo protect your account, Chase has multiple authentication checks and uses 128-bit encryption technology to keep your details secure when you’re using their site. They also monitor your account for suspicious activity and alert you in case anything is unusual.
- Contactless tap-to-payIf there is a contactless symbol wherever you are making a purchase, you can simply tap to pay for an easy and secure checkout.
Maximize your rewards by charging all gas station and transit expenses to the Chase United Gateway card and pairing it with another cash back card with no annual fee. This way, you can get cash back on other purchases in popular categories that you can use to make your flights cheaper.
Understanding the Fine Print
While the United Gateway Card has no annual fees, it still comes with a number of potential charges to keep in mind prior to applying.
- Card FeatureAmount or Rate
- APR16.49%–23.49%
- Annual Fee$0
- Cash Back Rewards
- Rewards Rate1 Mile per $1
- Airline Benefits
Purchase and Balance Transfer APR
Purchases and balance transfers get a considerably high variable APR of 16.49% to 23.49%. This can change based on your creditworthiness and the market’s prime rate. Note that balance transfers also have a fee of $5 or 5% of the amount that’s transferred, whichever is greater. This means that if you transfer a balance of $1,000, you will get charged $50.
Cash Advance APR and Fees
If you plan to use the cash advance feature, anticipate an APR of 24.99%, which also varies based on the market prime rate. This is relatively high, which does not make the United Gateway an ideal card for cash advances. Additionally, a fee of $10 or 5%, whichever is greater, applies to the amount of each transaction. This means that it costs $25 to get a cash advance of $500.
Penalty Fees and APRs
For late or returned payments, an APR of 29.99% applies. This can remain in effect indefinitely but will depend on your unique circumstance. Both late payments and returned payments also have a fee of $40.
Annual Fee
There is no annual fee for the Chase United Gateway card.
The Chase United Gateway benefits are great for occasional travelers, but frequent travelers may want to see how this stacks up against other travel rewards cards. When making comparisons, check out the rewards rate and annual fees involved. This information can typically be found on the card issuer’s website or the credit card agreement database maintained by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider Chase United Gateway?
Other Considerations for Chase United Gateway
As a beginner travel card, the United Gateway suits individuals who only take a few flights a year. However, if you plan to apply for this card, there are a few things to keep in mind if it will be your only card or another card in your wallet.
Things to Consider if This Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card
If you want a simple credit card to start earning miles with and you live near a United hub, the United Gateway Card is perfect as long as you have a good to excellent credit score. However, if you find yourself at the airport more than six times a year or often fly with different airlines, you may want a card that can give you access to airport lounges or better travel rewards.
Things to Consider if This Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet
Occasional travelers who simply want to start earning miles will find that the United Gateway is a low-cost addition to their wallet. It’s best paired with a low or no annual fee cash back card that has a wider range of bonus categories, as it can give you more opportunities to save for your travels.
MoneyGeek follows a meticulous six-step process when reviewing credit cards to ensure accurate and fair rankings. We start by gathering data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s credit card database and standardizing data points on APR, annual fees and the like for ranking calculations. We then create average spend profiles based on the data and factor in any introductory bonuses before establishing the three-year value of each card. Monthly re-rankings are conducted in order to factor in any new updates to the card’s offer.
How Chase United Gateway Compares to Other Cards
The United Gateway Card is a beginner’s travel card. However, it does not offer the best rewards. Its lack of annual fees can be enticing, but a careful evaluation of the rewards that come with other travel cards may make their annual fees worth it. Ultimately, how the United Gateway Card weighs up against other cards depends on what you’re looking for.
In-Depth Credit Card Comparisons:
Quick Comparison of Chase United Gateway
Chase United Gateway
- Regular APR: 16.49% - 23.49%
- Annual Fee: None
- Rewards Rate: Two miles per $1 for United Airlines purchases, gas station purchases and any transit expenses such as taxis, trains or ridesharing
- Sign Up Bonus: Up to 30,000 miles on the first $3,000 spent within six months upon accounting opening
- Mini Verdict: Best for occasional travelers who spend a lot on gas or transit
Capital One VentureOne Rewards
- Regular APR: 15.49% - 25.49%
- Annual Fee: None
- Rewards Rate: Unlimited 1.25 miles per $1 on every purchase, every day
- Sign Up Bonus: Earn 20,000 miles on the first $500 spent within three months upon account opening
- Mini Verdict: Best for earning miles on everyday purchases
Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As
Before applying for the Chase United Gateway card, review all fees and details on the card and the company that offers it. Below are a few commonly asked questions that can help you decide if this card is for you.
Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.
While the Chase United Gateway card benefits individuals who want a simple travel rewards card, it isn’t suitable for everyone. Evaluate your financial needs and travel habits to see if you need a card with better rewards and miles opportunities. Check out MoneyGeek’s list of the best rewards credit cards to see if other options suit your needs.
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sources
- Chase. "Chase Customer Service." Accessed September 7, 2021.
- Chase. "Chase Mobile Banking." Accessed September 7, 2021.
- Chase. "Common questions about credit reporting." Accessed September 7, 2021.
- Chase. "How we protect you." Accessed September 7, 2021.
- Chase. "Pricing and Terms: United Gateway Card." Accessed September 7, 2021.
- J.D. Power. "Capital One Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction in J.D. Power National Banking Study." Accessed September 7, 2021.
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