The United Gateway Card and the United Explorer Card are two co-branded credit cards offered by Chase in partnership with United Airlines. Both cards offer a variety of benefits to frequent United flyers, but they also have different annual fees and rewards structures.
General Comparison
The United Gateway Card is a no-annual-fee option, making it a great choice for budget-conscious consumers. While it doesn’t have an annual fee, it still offers access to United's MileagePlus program, allowing you to earn miles on everyday purchases. However, it doesn’t offer as many premium perks as some other cards.
On the other hand, the United Explorer Card comes with an annual fee but offers more extensive benefits and a higher points reward rate.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the main features of each card:
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Airline Miles Rewards Analysis: Which Card Is Better?
|
| |
|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | United Explorer Card | United Gateway Card |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 10,000 miles | 10,000 miles |
$4,000 – Restaurants
| 8,000 miles | 4,000 miles |
$5,000 – Airline | 10,000 miles | 10,000 miles |
$5,000 – Hotels | 10,000 miles | 5,000 miles |
$4,000 – Gas | 4,000 miles | 8,000 miles |
Total Points | 42,000 miles | 37,000 miles |
Redemption Value (Estimated) | 1 mile = ~1.2 cents
| 1 mile = ~1.2 cents
|
Estimated Annual Value | $504 | $444 |
With the United credit card, you can redeem points for flights on United Airlines or its partner airlines, hotel stays, car rentals, and even merchandise. The flexible miles can be used for any available seat, while fixed-value miles let you book without worrying about seat availability.
There are no blackout dates, and you also get access to exclusive events. Plus, you have the option to transfer miles to other loyalty programs or donate them to charities.
What Airline And Travel Benefits You'll Get On Both Cards?
Both the United Gateway and United Explorer offer the following benefits:
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. This provides primary insurance coverage for theft and collision damage for most rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: You can be reimbursed for pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares if your trip is canceled or cut short due to covered situations like sickness or severe weather.
- Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your common carrier travel is delayed over 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging.
- 25% Back on In-Flight Purchases: You'll get a 25% statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights when you pay with your Card, saving you money during your travels.
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What Benefits You'll Get Only With The Explorer Card?
Given its higher cost, the United Explorer Card naturally provides a broader array of travel and airline benefits:
- Global Entry/TSA Precheck® Reimbursement: You can receive up to $100 as a statement credit every four years to cover the application fee for Global Entry, TSA Precheck®, or NEXUS, making your airport security process faster and more convenient.
- Priority Boarding: You and your companions on the same reservation can board United-operated flights before the general boarding process.
When You Might Prefer The United Gateway Card?
Here are situations when you might prefer the United Gateway over the Explorer card:
Mileage Accumulation Focus: If your primary goal is to accumulate United miles through everyday purchases rather than accessing premium travel perks, the United Gateway Card offers a straightforward way to earn miles without the higher annual fee associated with the Explorer Card.
Cost-Conscious Consumers: If minimizing annual fees is a priority and you prefer a more budget-friendly option, the United Gateway Card could be preferable, as it typically comes with no annual fee, allowing you to access United's MileagePlus program without additional costs.
- You Need 0% Intro APR: if you plan a large purchase and want to leverage 0% Intro APR on purchases, you can do it only with the Gateway card.
When You Might Prefer The United Explorer Card?
Here are situations when you might prefer the United Explorer over the Gateway card:
- Desire for Enhanced Travel Perks: If you prioritize a more comprehensive travel experience, including perks like priority boarding, and free first checked bag, the Explorer Card offers a suite of benefits that goes beyond the basic mileage accumulation features of the Gateway Card.
- Better Travel Insurance Options: The United Explorer Card is a preferred choice for those who want broader coverage that includes lost luggage and trip delay reimbursement as well as baggage delay insurance.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for an airline credit card with travel rewards – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:
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|
| |
|---|---|---|---|
The JetBlue Plus Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite | |
Annual Fee | $99 | $99 | $99 (waived for the first 12 months)
|
Rewards | 1X – 6X
6X points on JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores and 1X points on all other purchases
| 1X – 3X
3X points on Southwest® purchases,2X on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners, local transit and commuting, including rideshare, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming and 1X points on all other purchases.
|
1X – 2X
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
|
Welcome bonus | 50,000 points
50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days
| 40,000 Points
40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months.
|
50,000 Miles
50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Purchase APR | 20.74% – 29.99% variable | 20.99% – 27.99% variable APR | 20.74% – 29.74% (Variable) |
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