Chase
United Gateway Card
No annual fee to keep the card
- Annual fee
- None
- Welcome offer
- ~$405
- Annual benefits value
- $0
- Est. 1st-year value
- $405
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Our review
The United Gateway Card is the no-annual-fee entry point to United's MileagePlus lineup, designed for occasional United flyers who want to earn United miles without paying a yearly fee. It is the lightest card in the family, and it is upfront about that.
It earns United MileagePlus miles rather than transferable Chase points, so its value is tied to how much you fly United and its Star Alliance partners. For a casual United traveler, that focus keeps things simple.
The card ranks at the bottom of the United family by design: it skips the checked-bag benefit and lounge access that define the paid cards, but in exchange it charges no annual fee, which makes it easy to keep long term.
Its value proposition is low-commitment access to the United ecosystem. You can earn a welcome bonus, keep the card open to build a United relationship, and pay nothing each year to do so.
For someone who flies United only now and then and wants a fee-free way to earn miles, the Gateway is the sensible choice; frequent flyers who check bags or want lounge access will outgrow it quickly.
Why we like it
- No annual fee, which makes it easy to keep open indefinitely.
- Earns United MileagePlus miles on everyday and travel spending.
- 25 percent back as a statement credit on United inflight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees, which is unusual and welcome on a no-fee airline card.
Who it's best for
- Occasional United flyers who want to earn United miles without paying an annual fee.
- Newcomers to the United ecosystem who want a low-commitment starter card.
- Travelers who rarely check bags and do not need lounge access.
Welcome bonus
The Gateway offers a welcome bonus of United MileagePlus miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement in the first few months; the current miles total, spending target, and window are shown above.
The bonus is smaller than on the fee-charging United cards, in keeping with the no-fee positioning; treat the estimated value shown above as a guide and confirm the terms before applying.
Using your rewards
This card earns United MileagePlus miles rather than transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, so redemptions are strongest on United and Star Alliance award flights.
MileagePlus miles do not expire while the account is open and awards can be booked one-way, which is helpful for occasional trips.
Cardholders may also see expanded United award availability, improving the odds of finding saver-level award seats.
Airport lounge access
The United Gateway Card does not include United Club membership or United Club day passes.
Travelers who want airport lounge access should look at the Explorer or Quest for day passes, or a United Club card for full membership.
Foreign transaction fees
The United Gateway Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, which is notable for a no-annual-fee card.
That makes it a reasonable no-cost card to carry abroad when flying United or a Star Alliance partner.
Major credits & annual benefits
25 percent back as a statement credit on eligible United inflight purchases.
United MileagePlus mileage earning on everyday spending, with no annual fee to offset.
Note that this card does not include a free checked bag, priority boarding, or lounge access; those benefits are reserved for the fee-charging United cards.
Insurance & protections
As a Chase-issued card, the Gateway has historically carried certain purchase and travel protections, though a no-fee card typically offers a lighter set than the premium United cards.
Terms, limits, and exclusions vary and can change, so pay for eligible purchases with the card and review the current benefits guide before relying on any coverage.
Fees & tradeoffs
With no annual fee, the main tradeoff is the absence of a free checked bag and lounge access, so the card rewards United loyalty without covering airport extras.
Anyone who regularly checks a bag on United will likely come out ahead by moving up to the Explorer, where the checked-bag benefit can more than cover its fee.
Final verdict
The Gateway is a good fit for casual United flyers and newcomers: a fee-free way to earn United miles, avoid foreign transaction fees, and keep a foot in the United ecosystem.
If you fly United often enough to check bags or want lounge access, the Explorer or a Club card will deliver far more value for their fees.
Card details change often. Verify current rates, fees, welcome offers, credits, and benefit terms with the issuer before applying.
Is this card worth it for you?
Check the benefits you’d realistically use and see your personalized total value below. This is a personal estimate — actual value depends on your spending. Verify terms with the issuer.
- Selected benefits
- $0
- Welcome offer
- $405
- Annual fee
- +$0
- Estimated first-year net
- +$405
Welcome offer
Welcome offer value
Earn 30,000 points after $1,000 in spend within 3 months
$405
Spend requirements apply. Verify current offer with the issuer. How we calculate this
Benefits & credits
Total benefits & credits value
Estimated annual value of all tracked perks
$0
| Benefit | Frequency | Est. annual value |
|---|---|---|
25% Back on United Inflight 25% back as a statement credit on eligible United in-flight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases. | Annual | $0 |
Earning rates
Who it's for
Consider it if
- No annual fee to keep the card
Maybe skip it if
- Verify current terms with the issuer before applying
Fees & details
- Annual fee
- None
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- Card network
- Varies
- Recommended credit
- Good to Excellent (690+)
- Rewards currency
- United MileagePlus
- Last updated
- 2026-07-25
Details are estimates and may be out of date. View issuer terms. Verify all rates, fees, and offers with the issuer before applying.
How it compares
| Annual fee | None | $895 | $895 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | ~$405 | ~$3,000 | ~$3,000 |
| Est. 1st-year value | $405 | $5,160.40 | $4,684 |
| Annual benefits value | $0 | $2,160.40 | $1,684 |
| Editor rating | 3.4 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Points earning structure |
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| Transfer partners | |||
| Lounge access | |||
| No foreign txn fee | |||
| Recommended credit | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) |
