Welcome to an in-depth review of the United Gateway Credit Card! If you’re a frequent flyer with United Airlines, or simply looking for a travel rewards credit card, you’ll definitely want to consider this one. Not only does it come with several valuable perks and benefits, but it also has a low annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the various features and rewards of the United Gateway Credit Card, as well as any potential drawbacks to keep in mind. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the United Gateway Credit Card
The United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level credit card option for United Airlines loyalists who are seeking to earn MileagePlus miles without paying an annual fee. This card is a great choice for occasional flyers who are looking for a low-risk introduction to airline credit cards. United Gateway offers 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, which is a decent perk for those who frequently travel by car.
Although the United Gateway℠ Card does not offer a lot of benefits or perks, it still provides some travel benefits to its users. Alongside the ability to earn MileagePlus miles, cardholders can enjoy free checked bags and priority boarding on United Airlines flights. However, this card falls short on other travel-related perks such as airport lounge access and travel insurance.
As the most economical United card option, the United Gateway℠ Card does not charge an annual fee. This is an excellent feature for those that want to continue accumulating miles over a long period of time without having to pay for the privilege to do so. This card is also a great way to earn United miles without having to sign up for a premium credit card with a high annual fee.
In conclusion, the United Gateway℠ Card is a great airline credit card for those looking for a low-risk introduction to the airline credit card category. While the card may not offer all the benefits and perks of higher-end United credit cards, the absence of an annual fee and the ability to earn MileagePlus miles make it a great option for United Airlines loyalists who prioritize simplicity and affordability.
2. Sign-up Bonus and Annual Fee
The United Gateway Credit Card is a no-annual fee option for those looking to earn miles with United Airlines. When it comes to sign-up bonuses, the United Gateway Card offers 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months. This bonus may not be as large as other United credit cards, but it is still a valuable addition for those looking to rack up miles.
Additionally, the United Gateway Card does not have an annual fee. This means that cardholders do not have to worry about paying a fee each year just to own the card. This is a great feature for those looking to earn miles without paying extra costs.
While the sign-up bonus and lack of an annual fee are attractive features, the United Gateway Card does have some limitations. Cardholders do not have access to some of the perks and benefits of higher-level United credit cards, such as free checked bags or priority boarding. However, for those looking for an economical option, the United Gateway Card is a great choice.
Overall, the United Gateway Card is ideal for United loyalists looking for an affordable option to earn miles. With a relatively low requirement to earn bonus miles, 2x miles on United purchases, gas stations, and local transit, and the lack of an annual fee, the United Gateway Card is an excellent choice for those looking to earn miles for award flights. Additionally, the card has high satisfaction and reliability ratings, making it a reliable choice for frequent flyers.
3. MileagePlus Rewards and Travel Benefits
As mentioned earlier, the United Gateway Credit Card offers MileagePlus miles as a reward for cardholders’ spending. For every dollar spent on United Airlines purchases, you can earn two airline miles. This is a decent earning rate, especially since the MileagePlus miles are known to have a good value. Additionally, any other everyday spending on the card will earn 1 mile per dollar spent.
But what sets the United Gateway Credit Card apart is its travel benefits. Cardholders receive 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights. This is a unique and valuable perk that can significantly reduce expenses for travelers. Plus, the card also offers purchase protection and rental car insurance, making it an ideal companion for any trip.
However, the United Gateway Credit Card falls short on other travel benefits that frequent flyers may be expecting, such as free checked bags and priority boarding. This may disappoint United loyalists who are looking for a more comprehensive travel card. But for those who don’t fly with United as often, the MileagePlus rewards and onboard purchase credit can be a great value.
Overall, the United Gateway Credit Card is a solid option for those looking to earn MileagePlus miles and enjoy some travel benefits without paying an annual fee. It may not be the most premium travel card out there, but it offers good value and is worth considering for United Airlines flyers.
/images/2020/12/01/united-gateway-card-review.jpg)
4. Limitations on Perks and Benefits
The United Gateway℠ Card offers impressive rewards for United frequent flyers without charging you any annual fees. However, the card falls short of the perks and benefits that most loyal United travelers would expect.
There are no free checked bags or priority boarding perks offered with this card, which might disappoint United enthusiasts. Although the card does offer a discount of 25% on eligible United in-flight purchases, it’s hardly impressive compared to the benefits offered by other United credit cards. Additionally, this card would not be your first choice if you’re looking for travel insurance benefits.
Despite these limitations, the United Gateway℠ Card does provide some remarkable insurance perks that you wouldn’t expect from a no-annual-fee credit card. Cardholders can receive trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and baggage delay insurance when the entire cost is billed to their United Gateway card.
While the United Gateway℠ Card may not offer the most notable benefits or perks, it still presents a great opportunity for occasional United travelers who want to earn rewards on their daily purchases without having to pay an annual fee. The card also has a decent introductory bonus and earns MileagePlus miles at a valuable rate, making it a great choice for frequent United flyers looking to earn rewards towards future award flights.
5. Ideal for United Loyalists
For those who are loyal to United Airlines, the United Gateway Credit Card is a smart option to consider. This card provides ongoing rewards for United Flyers with no annual fee, making it an excellent choice for customers who fly regularly with United.
The MileagePlus rewards program allows cardholders to earn miles on every purchase, including daily spending outside of United travel expenses. This can add up quickly for loyal United customers who frequently fly with the airline. Additionally, the lack of annual fees makes it easy to keep the card in one’s wallet for extended periods without worrying about accruing any additional charges.
While the United Gateway card does not offer free checked bags or early boarding, it provides a decent rewards structure that continues to make it an ideal credit card option for United Loyalists. Furthermore, it is an excellent card for anyone who wants to earn miles for award flights while saving some money on their airline credit card.
Overall, the United Gateway card is an excellent choice for United loyalists, providing a solid rewards program without annual fees. While other United credit cards may offer more extensive benefits, the United Gateway Credit Card remains a cost-effective choice for frequent United flyers.
6. Most Economical United Card Option
The United Gateway℠ Card is the most economical option among United’s line of credit cards. This no-annual-fee entry-level card offers a decent welcome bonus of 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
While the rewards rate may not be as high as other cards, the United Gateway℠ Card still offers a solid return for frequent flyers. Cardholders can earn 2 miles per dollar spent on United Airlines purchases, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Aside from earning miles, the United Gateway℠ Card also provides some travel benefits, such as 25% back in the form of a statement credit on food, drink, and Wi-Fi purchases made on board. This perk can come in handy for those who frequently travel on United Airlines.
Overall, the United Gateway℠ Card is a great option for occasional travelers who want to earn more United miles without having to pay an annual fee. However, for more frequent travelers, it may be worth considering upgrading to a higher-tier United credit card for access to more perks and benefits.
7. Satisfaction and Reliability Ratings
One of the essential things to consider while choosing a credit card is its reliability and overall customer satisfaction. The United Gateway Credit Card has received mixed reviews from its customers regarding its reliability and satisfaction ratings.
While the card offers a decent rewards rate, it falls short on travel benefits, such as free checked bags and early boarding. These limitations may affect customer satisfaction, especially for those who frequently travel with United Airlines.
On the other hand, United Gateway Cardholders have praised the card’s no annual fee policy, making it the most economical United Card option. Moreover, the card’s sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 within the first three months is also an attractive feature, which adds to the card’s appeal.
Another aspect that cardholders appreciate is the opportunity to earn bonus miles for United Airlines purchases. This feature may benefit those who frequently fly with United Airlines, providing them with a faster route to earning rewards for award flights.
In terms of reliability, the United Gateway Card is backed by Visa, known for its global acceptance and fraud protection policies. It is reassuring to know that cardholders are protected against unauthorized transactions and fraudulent activities.
Overall, while the United Gateway Card may not be the best airline credit card out there, it has its perks and is an attractive option for occasional travelers and United loyalists. It is crucial to assess your needs and preferences before choosing a card to ensure you get the most value out of it.
8. Bonus Miles for United Airlines Purchases
The United Gateway Credit Card offers a great opportunity to earn bonus miles when making United Airlines purchases. Cardholders can earn two miles per dollar spent on United Airlines purchases, which can add up quickly for frequent flyers. This is a significant advantage over other entry-level credit cards, which may not offer such high rewards for airline purchases.
Not only that, but the card also offers a sign-up bonus of 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months, making it an attractive option for those who want to earn rewards quickly. With no annual fee, it’s a great way to earn points without having to pay for the privilege.
The bonus miles earned through the United Gateway Credit Card can be used towards award flights with United Airlines. This means that cardholders can save money on future travel by taking advantage of the rewards they earn. For United loyalists, this card is a great way to earn miles quickly and efficiently.
However, it’s important to note that while the United Gateway Credit Card does offer great rewards for United Airlines purchases, it may not be the best option for those who frequently travel with other airlines. The limited rewards on other purchases may not be enough to offset the benefits of other travel credit cards that offer more rewards for non-airline purchases.
Overall, the bonus miles for United Airlines purchases make the United Gateway Credit Card a great choice for anyone who frequently travels with United Airlines. With no annual fee and a low spending requirement, it’s an economical option that can help you achieve your travel goals faster.
9. No Annual Fee and Low Requirement
The United Gateway℠ Card has a major advantage over other United cards issued by Chase: no annual fee. This means that cardholders can enjoy a line-up of decent travel benefits without the burden of additional charges. This makes it the ideal option for those who want to earn United miles without having to pay extra costs.
Moreover, the United Gateway℠ Card has a low requirement for sign-up, making it more accessible to a wider audience. This feature is great for individuals who are just starting to build their credit history or for those who prefer a more economical option.
While some may argue that the card’s lack of free checked bags or early boarding may not make it the most exciting option, its perks balance out its limitations. Cardholders still receive 25% cashback on United in-flight purchases, which is a great bonus to have.
The United Gateway℠ Card is a smart choice for earning miles towards award flights. The lack of an annual fee means that cardholders can save more money while still being able to accumulate miles through their regular card usage. This option is especially ideal for frequent travelers who want to maximize the benefits of the card without dealing with additional charges.
Overall, the United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent option for those who want to earn United miles without an annual fee. While it may not offer as many perks as other United cards, it still provides a reasonable line-up of travel benefits that can suit the needs of many. The card’s low requirement makes it more accessible, and its bonus miles on United Airlines purchases make it even more enticing for those who want to earn miles towards award flights.
10. Ideal for Earning Miles for Award Flights
The United Gateway Credit Card is an excellent option for individuals looking to earn miles for award flights. With every purchase made, cardholders earn two MileagePlus miles per dollar spent on United Airlines purchases, local transit and commuting, and gas station purchases. This means that users can quickly build up their miles bank and redeem them for free travel with United Airlines and its partners.
The best part about the United Gateway Card is that it comes with no annual fee, making it a cost-effective way to earn miles. This is especially beneficial for infrequent travelers who may not want to pay for a premium travel rewards credit card. The low requirement to qualify for the card also makes it accessible to a wider range of individuals.
However, it is important to note that while the United Gateway Card offers mileage rewards, it lacks some of the high-end travel benefits that come with premium travel rewards credit cards. This card does not offer airport lounge access or priority boarding, which may deter frequent travelers who desire these perks.
Overall, the United Gateway Credit Card is an excellent option for those looking to earn miles without paying an annual fee. The ability to earn miles with everyday purchases can help users save money on their travel expenses. For those who prioritize free travel through award flights, the United Gateway Card is an ideal option to consider.
