Amex Business Gold vs United Gateway: Which Is Better In 2026?

United Gateway Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the United Gateway℠ Card.

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• It's a great entry-level option for occasional United flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee.
• The card includes valuable travel protections and has no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international trips.
• Its straightforward rewards structure makes it an accessible starting point for those new to travel rewards cards.

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Pros

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• It's a cost-effective option with no annual fee.
• New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus, and you’ll accumulate miles on everyday spending.
• It includes valuable travel protections and has no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• It lacks premium travel perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.
• The bonus categories for earning miles are limited compared to many other travel cards.
• Miles earned cannot be transferred to other airline or hotel loyalty programs.

United Gateway vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding between the American Express® Business Gold Card and the United Gateway℠ Card depends entirely on your spending habits and travel preferences. When considering which is better Amex Business Gold or United Gateway, it's helpful to look at the primary audience for each card.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card is a premium business card designed for business owners with variable expenses across multiple categories. It's a versatile tool for companies that want to earn rewards on their most common business purchases.
• United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level travel rewards card for occasional United Airlines flyers and beginners to travel rewards. It offers a way to earn miles without a significant financial commitment.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: Rewards are earned as flexible points that can be transferred to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. This provides a great deal of versatility, with redemption options including travel, statement credits, and gift cards.

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United Gateway℠ Card: With this card, you earn United MileagePlus miles directly into your frequent flyer account. Redemptions are centered around the United ecosystem and are best used for booking award flights with United and its partners.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated credit cards based on your own spending.

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• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your spending history.
• Test drive credit cards using your real transaction data to project your potential earnings before you apply.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring you get the best bonus.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your card's benefits by shopping with Kudos Boost.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is best suited for established businesses with significant and varied expenses, particularly those spending over $50,000 annually. It's designed for companies whose top spending categories change from month to month, as it automatically awards 4X points on the top two eligible spending categories each billing cycle. This makes it a powerful tool for entrepreneurs who want to maximize flexible rewards without being locked into fixed bonus categories. Terms Apply.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent entry point for credit card beginners or occasional United Airlines flyers who aren't ready to commit to a card with an annual fee. It's designed for those who want to dip their toes into the world of travel rewards, earning MileagePlus miles on everyday purchases like gas and local transit without the pressure of a yearly cost. Additionally, budget-conscious travelers will appreciate the absence of foreign transaction fees, making it a practical choice for international trips.

Alternatives to Consider

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Perhaps our Amex Business Gold vs United Gateway comparison has shown that neither card is the right choice for you. If that's the case, let's look at a few alternatives that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit profile for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spending requirement to earn the card’s welcome offer.
• Understand the rewards: Know how you plan to use the points or miles before you commit to a new card.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules: Be aware of specific application guidelines that could impact your approval.
• Choose the right card type: Determine if a business card or a personal card best fits your spending habits.
• Select the appropriate tier: Decide if an entry-level card or a premium one better aligns with your goals and travel frequency.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What kind of spender is the American Express® Business Gold Card best for?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is ideal for business owners with high spending in specific, rotating categories. It's designed for those who can maximize its flexible rewards and take advantage of its business-centric benefits.

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Is the United Gateway℠ Card a good choice for frequent international travelers?

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While the United Gateway℠ Card is a solid no-annual-fee option for earning MileagePlus miles, frequent international travelers might find more value in a premium United card. Those cards typically offer benefits like free checked bags and lounge access, which the Gateway card lacks.

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Can I transfer points from the Amex Business Gold to United Airlines?

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American Express Membership Rewards points do not transfer directly to United MileagePlus. However, you can transfer them to other Star Alliance partners, like Air Canada Aeroplan, to book United-operated flights.

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Does the United Gateway℠ Card have an annual fee?

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No, the United Gateway℠ Card does not have an annual fee. This makes it an accessible option for those who want to earn United miles without committing to a yearly cost.

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