The New United Gateway Card review: A great no-annual-fee entry into United miles

Reviews The New United Gateway Card review: A great no-annual-fee entry into United miles

To the point The United Gateway Card earns MileagePlus miles with no annual fee, inflight discounts, travel protections, and perks that add value for casual United flyers.

The New United Gateway℠ Card stands out as a rare no-annual-fee airline credit card that still delivers meaningful rewards and travel protections. While it doesn’t come with the premium perks of United’s higher-tier cards, it offers a substantial welcome bonus. These bonus categories cover both everyday spending and United purchases, as well as in-flight discounts.

If you’re looking to earn MileagePlus miles without committing to an annual fee, the Gateway Card provides one of the most accessible entry points into airline loyalty. When used strategically, it can also complement a broader travel rewards strategy.

United Gateway Card welcome offer

The New United Gateway℠ Credit Card

Take Off with the New United Gateway℠ Card

No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
30,000 bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases within 3 months
2× miles on United purchases, United Hotels purchases, gas stations, local transit & commuting; 1× mile on all other spend
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
2 free checked bag credits per year after $10,000 in annual spend
25% back on United in‑flight food, beverages, Wi‑Fi & Club premium drinks
Built‑in travel protections including trip cancellation/interruption, rental car coverage & purchase protection

Perfect for flyers who want a no‑cost way to earn United MileagePlus^® rewards, this card lets you test an airline card while unlocking free checked bags and in‑flight credits. Manage your miles and perks effortlessly in the Chase Mobile^® app, tap to pay with contactless security, and watch your rewards add up on every flight, fill‑up or commute.

Terms apply. Bonus miles, checked bag credits and in‑flight statement credits require qualifying purchases. See full terms at chase.com.

United Gateway Card earning rates

The United Gateway Card earns modest bonus rates and provides decent rewards for everyday spending, especially for United loyalists:

2 miles per dollar on United purchases.
2 miles per dollar at gas stations, and on local transit, commuting, and ride-share/taxi/fare services.
1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

United Gateway Card benefits

Key benefits

Two free checked bags per year on United/United Express flights after spending $10,000 in a calendar year. This benefit can create substantial value for those who fly United at least intermittently.
Cardmember (discounted) award pricing on United award flights once you spend $10,000 in a calendar year.
25% statement credit back on in-flight food, beverages & Wi-Fi onboard United/United Express flights and premium drinks in United Clubs when charged with the Gateway Card.
No foreign transaction fees.

Travel protections

Trip cancellation & interruption insurance: Up to $1,500 per covered traveler and $6,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares if the trip is canceled or cut short for covered reasons.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (secondary). If you decline the rental company’s insurance and use your card, you receive coverage for theft/collision damage.
Extended warranty protection for eligible purchases, adding an extra year to certain U.S. manufacturer warranties
Purchase protection: Covers damage or theft of eligible new purchases for a limited period (e.g., 120 days), up to certain claim limits.

MileagePlus program and redemptions

Although the Gateway Card doesn’t earn transferable points, it feeds directly into the United MileagePlus program. That means:

You can redeem miles for United-operated flights and Star Alliance partner flights. The award availability is generally good, and there are no blackout dates on United-operated flights.
Miles don’t expire, which is a helpful feature for less frequent flyers.
The value of miles will vary depending on route, timing, and partner availability. For example, shorter domestic flights often cost ~5,000 miles one-way for well-priced routes, while international partner flights typically cost more. (Exact values depend heavily on demand.)

When you gain access to cardmember pricing after spending $10,000 in a calendar year, you might be able to get discounted award rates, which can stretch your miles further.

Cards comparable to the United Gateway Card

If you’re comparing the Gateway Card, these are essential benchmarks:

The New United Explorer℠ Card: This card adds more United perks (free checked bags, lounge passes, etc.) for its annual higher fee of $150 per year (waived your first year); good if you fly more often.
The New United Quest℠ Card: With its $350 annual fee, you get more premium benefits. It’s a great card for those loyal to United with frequent travel.
General travel rewards cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or other Chase cards, offer more flexible currency and broader partner networks. They may be better suited if you fly multiple airlines or want flexibility in redemption.

Is the United Gateway Card worth it?

If your priority is earning United miles without paying an annual fee, this is the card for you. The card’s welcome bonus, in-flight discounts and especially the chance to earn two free checked bags (with $10,000 spend) make it a rare “no-fee with meaningful benefits” offering in the airline-card space.

However, the fee-free status means you’ll have to work for some of the more valuable perks (e.g., checked bags are not automatic), and the earning rates are quite underwhelming. If you fly United more than a couple of times a year, the Explorer or other higher-tier cards may return more value per dollar.

Bottom line

The New United Gateway℠ Card is an outstanding entry point into United’s MileagePlus program. With $0 annual fee, useful travel protections and basic perks like 25% inflight/Club drink credits and the ability to earn checked-bag benefits with moderate spend, it delivers real value for entry-level United fans or people who fly occasionally. It won’t carry you into luxury perks, but if your goal is miles, basic airline perks and no fee, it’s hard to beat.

Marc Delaney

Marc Delaney is a bilingual (English/French) travel rewards strategist and credit card expert at Milesopedia USA. Born in the U.S. to a French-American family, Marc combines North American know-how with a deep understanding of international loyalty programs. With over a decade of experience in personal finance, he specializes in helping high-income individuals, digital nomads, and frequent flyers optimize their credit card points and travel benefits. His insights focus on maximizing value from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Amex Membership Rewards®, Aeroplan® and Flying Blue®. Marc started his career advising startups on business credit strategies and later transitioned into rewards consulting for cross-border entrepreneurs. He holds a degree in economics from the University of Vermont and has contributed to financial newsletters, webinars, and loyalty-focused communities across North America and Europe. A passionate traveler, Marc has explored more than 40 countries using points and miles to fly in premium cabins and stay in luxury hotels. When he's not analyzing credit card ecosystems, you'll find him hiking remote trails or reviewing airport lounges for Milesopedia readers.

All posts by Marc Delaney