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

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.

Quick verdict (October 2026): The New United Gateway℠ Card charges no annual fee and offers 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. It earns 2x miles on United purchases, gas stations and local transit, and adds 2 free checked bags after $10,000 in spend in a calendar year. It suits occasional United flyers.

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:

United Gateway Card benefits

Key benefits

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.