Is the United Gateway Card worth it?
United MileagePlus · $0 annual fee
Source date June 8, 20261 recent change to this card : newest took effect Aug 1, 2025Read them
Took effect Aug 1, 2025
In effectIn Chase's 2025 United refresh the no-annual-fee Gateway can now earn two checked-bag certificates after $10,000 in calendar-year spend, but discounted (member) award pricing now requires $10,000 in annual spend where it previously had no spend requirement. The annual fee stays $0.
Source~$390Estimated first-year value
Card terms under re-review
This estimate uses the recorded bonus, counted credits, and annual fee. Recommendations are withheld until an issuer re-review is recorded. Confirm current terms and your eligibility before deciding.
We earn nothing from this one. It's a direct link to the issuer. Read the current offer and compare the costs with your needs before applying. See exactly how we picked it.
This estimate uses the same math whether we get paid or not.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Signup bonus
- 30,000 ptsafter $1,000 in 3 months
- Foreign tx fee
- None
- Credit needed
- Good to excellent (typically 690+)
Scores and offer rankings are withheld while card terms are under re-review.
Estimated first-year math
| Estimated bonus value (30,000 pts @ 1.3c) | + $390 |
| Estimated usable credits | + $0 |
| Annual fee | − $0 |
| Estimated year-one net | $390 |
We value United MileagePlus at a conservative 1.3c/point (a motivated redeemer can reach ~1.5c). United MileagePlus is dynamically priced with no award chart, so value swings. 1.3c is a fair everyday floor; Star Alliance partner awards reach a bit higher. See how we value points.
The recorded signup offer
These are recorded offer facts and labeled model estimates. Card terms under re-review; check the issuer for the current offer.
Recent typical offer
30,000 points after $1,000 spend in 3 months
Offers change constantly: this is a recent typical bonus, not a guarantee. Always verify the live offer on the issuer's site before applying.
Both bars are our planning estimates for 30,000 points. Actual redemption values can differ.
at 1.5¢/pt: our achievable estimate
at 1.3¢/pt: our conservative planning estimate
That's $60 (13%) between our estimates, with the percentage measured against the achievable estimate. The card-value calculations on this page use our planning baseline.
Chase's 5/24 rule
Chase typically won't approve you if you've opened 5 or more credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months. Check your count before you apply.
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Check recorded facts and current issuer terms.
What you actually get
- No annual fee
- 5x miles on United purchases; 2x on gas, transit, and other United spend
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
- 25% back as a statement credit on United inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
- No foreign transaction fees (no lounge access, no priority boarding; checked-bag certificates only after $10k annual spend)
How it earns
See how it stacks up
Compare recorded fees, programs, and terms side by side. Winners are withheld while any card's terms are under re-review.
Honest answers
Do you recommend the United Gateway Card?
Where can I check the United Gateway Card offer?
The honest playbook
Before deciding on a card, consider interest, spending requirements, and how you would use the benefits.
Check current issuer terms
Offers change often, so always confirm the current bonus and fee on the issuer's own site before applying.
We earn nothing from this one. It's a direct link to the issuer. Read the current offer and compare the costs with your needs before applying. See exactly how we picked it.
Not sure it fits your trip? Run the optimizer
Sources: how we know this1 issuer source
These sources support the recorded figures and estimates. Offers change, so always confirm the current terms on the issuer's own page.
Issuer sources
Other references
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