Dreaming of free flights without paying an annual fee? The United Gateway Card is Chase's no-fee entry point into the United MileagePlus world, and it can be a smart pick for occasional flyers. But this card asks for good credit, so it is not the right starting point for everyone. This review covers the United Gateway Card's fees, miles, and APR, plus what to do if you need to build credit first.
Firstcard is a credit-building app for people with no, low, or bad credit. We review cards through one lens: does this fit your situation, and if not, what will get you there? Here is the honest take.
What Is the United Gateway Card?
The United Gateway Card is a no-annual-fee travel card from Chase, tied to United Airlines and the MileagePlus program. It is the entry-level option in United's card lineup, sitting below the Explorer and premium cards.
It suits people who fly United now and then and want to earn miles without paying for benefits they will not use. Because it is a Chase rewards card, approval generally requires good to excellent credit. If your score is still growing, this card may be out of reach for now.
United Gateway Card Fees, Miles, and APR
As of June 2026, the United Gateway Card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months, then a variable APR of about 19.74% to 28.24%. APRs vary by creditworthiness, and terms and conditions apply.
On rewards, the card earns 2x miles on United purchases, gas stations, and local transit and commuting, plus 1x miles on everything else. A recent welcome offer included 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, with an extra 10,000 miles for adding an authorized user. New for 2026, the card requires $10,000 in annual spending to unlock certain discounted award redemptions.
Who Should Consider It?
The United Gateway Card fits occasional United flyers with good credit who want to earn miles without an annual fee. The intro APR and lack of foreign transaction fees are nice extras for new purchases and travel abroad.
It is not designed for people rebuilding credit. If your score is below the good range, a Chase travel card application will likely be denied. The better move is to build your credit first, then apply once you qualify. For a sense of where you stand, our guide on a 600 credit score explains what that range means for approvals.
Credit-Builder Alternatives to Qualify First
If the United Gateway Card is out of reach today, these credit-builder cards can help you raise your score so you qualify later. The first is the Self Visa, which pairs a savings habit with a credit-building account. See the Self Visa Credit Card below.
Another option that builds credit from your own spending is the Current Build Card. It uses your everyday purchases to help establish a track record, with no traditional deposit-and-wait setup. Take a look at the Current Build Card below.
Current Build Card
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on eligible categories. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on eligible categories (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum
If you want a simple, low-cost secured card to start building, the Kikoff Secured Credit Card keeps fees minimal while reporting your activity to the bureaus. Review the Kikoff Secured Credit Card below.
Kikoff Secured Credit Card
Kikoff Secured Credit Card
Kikoff Secured Credit Card works like a debit card & checking account and performs like a credit builder. Build credit with your everyday purchases.
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
Yes
Benefit
0% interest. No credit check.
How These Compare
The United Gateway Card is a rewards card for people who already have good credit. The alternatives above are for people who need to build credit before they can qualify. Self, Current, and Kikoff all focus on raising your score affordably.
Think of it as a two-step plan: build first, then upgrade to a travel card once your credit is strong. Firstcard's credit-building tools can help you follow that path. If you are not sure which starter card fits, our list of the best credit cards for beginners is a good place to look.
Tips for Building Toward a Travel Card
Pay every bill on time, since payment history is the biggest factor in your score. Keep balances low relative to your limits, ideally under 30%, and avoid applying for too many cards at once.
Give your credit time to grow, then apply for a card like the United Gateway once you are in the good-to-excellent range. A monitoring tool like Creditship.ai can help you track your progress and timing.
Is the United Gateway Card Worth It?
For occasional United flyers with good credit, the United Gateway Card is a solid no-fee way to earn miles. If your credit is still growing, it is worth building toward rather than applying now. Start with a credit-builder card, then graduate to this one when you qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the United Gateway Card have an annual fee?
No, as of June 2026 the United Gateway Card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. That makes it a low-cost way to earn United miles. Just remember that approval generally requires good to excellent credit.
What credit score do I need for the United Gateway Card?
As a Chase rewards card, the United Gateway Card typically requires good to excellent credit, often a score in the upper 600s or higher. Exact requirements are set by Chase. If your score is lower, a credit-builder card can help you qualify over time.
How many miles does the United Gateway Card earn?
As of June 2026, it earns 2x miles on United purchases, gas stations, and local transit and commuting, and 1x miles on all other purchases. Welcome bonuses change over time. Check United and Chase for the current offer before applying.
Can I get the United Gateway Card with bad credit?
It is unlikely, since Chase travel cards generally require good credit or better. If you have bad or limited credit, a credit-builder card is a smarter first step. Build your score, then apply for the United Gateway Card once you are in range.
