Chase and United have expanded their suite of co-branded credit cards, with the introduction of the new United GatewaySM Card.
In this post:
Basics of the new United Gateway Card
The United Gateway Card is a great no annual fee card issued by Chase that offers a solid welcome bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and spending bonuses in some categories.
Up to 30,000 Bonus Miles
The United Gateway Card is offering a two-tiered bonus. It breaks down as such:
- Earn up to 15,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- Plus, an additional 15,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months.
I value MileagePlus miles at 1.4 cents each, so to me that’s worth around $420.
Eligibility for the Gateway Card welcome bonus is unrelated to any other Chase or United credit card bonuses, so you are eligible even if you have other co-branded United cards. The usual Chase application rules apply, including the 5/24 rule.
United Gateway Card no annual fee
As noted above, the United Gateway Card has no annual fee. This applies both to the primary cardmember and any additional cardmembers.
United Gateway card earns 1-2x MileagePlus miles
The United Gateway Card has some solid bonus categories for a no annual fee card. The card offers:
- 2x MileagePlus miles on United purchases
- 2x MileagePlus miles on gas station purchases
- 2x MileagePlus miles on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxis, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit
- These bonus categories are valid outside the US as well, and the United Gateway Card has no foreign transaction fees
United Gateway Card perks
As you’d expect, the perks on the United Gateway Card aren’t as rich as on other United cards, like the United℠ Explorer Card (review), given the lack of an annual fee. The card offers two real United Airlines benefits:
- A 25% savings on inflight United purchases, including purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
- Expanded award availability for United, which could come in handy when redeeming MileagePlus miles
Save on inflight purchases with the United Gateway Card
How does this compare to other no annual fee airline cards?
All of the “big three” US carriers now have no annual fee cards, so how does the United Gateway Card compare to the credit cards issued by American and Delta?
The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card (review) offers:
- 10,000 AAdvantage miles plus a $50 statement credit upon completing minimum spending
- 2x AAdvantage miles for American Airlines and grocery store purchases
- 25% savings on inflight American Airlines purchases
- The card does have foreign transaction fees
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card (review) offers:
- 10,000 SkyMiles upon completing minimum spending
- 2x SkyMiles for Delta and restaurant purchases
- 20% savings on inflight Delta Air Lines purchases
- The card doesn’t have foreign transaction fees
As you can see, there are pros and cons to each product, though at this point I’d say that the United Gateway Card compares on point in terms of bonus categories on spending, and lack of foreign transaction fees, while it exceeds both the American and Delta options with a bonus double the size.
Bottom line
While I think there’s big value to be had with premium credit cards that have annual fees, I know many people prefer cards with no annual fees. The United Gateway Card is a solid no annual fee airline credit card, and I’d say in the long term it compares on par to the products offered by American and Delta.
The Gateway Card has decent spending categories and perks, all while having no annual fee.
What do you make of the new United Gateway Card?
Curious about a free bag checked ? This is important for those of us who sit in the back of the plane.
I have Chase UR points and usually book Star Alliance awards in business to Asia yearly, but I don't live in a hub city. Does this card really provide XN award availability in economy, without an annual fee? Sounds like a no-brainer for people like me.
Does this new card offer 1st checked luggage free and access to United lounge? these two things cover the cost for a round trip for 2
@Lucky -- Speaking of United, I heard it will add new service between Dulles (IAD) and Key West (EYW) beginning Nov. 1. The Key West route will operate five-days-a-week on an Embraer E170 jet with 70 seats.
UA will also add/ resume flights to popular outdoor destinations in Florida and Hawaii, as well as to Boise (BOI), Palm Springs (PSP) and Redmond/Bend, Oregon (RDM).
The only other card matching some of the benefits of this UA card I can think of would be the BOA Travel Rewards CC.
It comes with 25K intro points, followed by no annual or FT fees, and unlimited 1.5X points for everything, everywhere.
Can I product change from my no-fee MileagePlus card to the no-fee Gateway card? I've had the MileagePlus card for much less than a year as it was a downgrade from the Explorer.
No FT Fees on a no-fee card is a nice feature.
I have the MileagePlus Visa no annual fee that gives you 1 mile for $2 spent, with foreign transition fees, and I believe (correct me if I am wrong) no 25% for in-flight. Since I want to get other cards in my 5/24 slot, I will be product changing (20K is nice but rather get the CFF and CSP) this until I start flying again which then I will get the one with the Explorer...
I have the MileagePlus Visa no annual fee that gives you 1 mile for $2 spent, with foreign transition fees, and I believe (correct me if I am wrong) no 25% for in-flight. Since I want to get other cards in my 5/24 slot, I will be product changing (20K is nice but rather get the CFF and CSP) this until I start flying again which then I will get the one with the Explorer card.
Glad United has one that now people can apply for although I keep my American MileUp to keep my miles active since they expire, unlike United and Delta.
Several years ago I contacted Chase when the annual fee on my Mileage Plus card came due. I asked about a waiver and in turn was offered a downgrade to a no-fee MileagePlus card (without all the benies such as group 2 boarding). I think they called it the gateway card but AFAIT they never sent me a new card.
My guess is this card has. been around for a while -- just not offered publicly.
Not worth it. So many better Chase Cards with 5/24
"The only real United benefit offered by this card is a 25% savings on inflight United purchases."
The card does have access to expanded award availability (XN) which is a significant United benefit.
@ Miles -- I missed that, thanks. Post updated.