Chase Freedom Unlimited vs United Gateway: Which Is Better In 2025?

United Gateway Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the United Gateway℠ Card a compelling choice for casual travelers and United flyers.

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• It costs nothing to keep in your wallet thanks to its no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
• The card includes valuable travel protections like an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation coverage.
• Since the card has no annual fee, you get value from its perks immediately without needing to calculate any break-even spending (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• You can earn bonus miles on everyday spending categories, including at gas stations and on local transit.
• New cardholders can take advantage of a welcome bonus and an introductory APR on purchases.
• It offers purchase and extended warranty protections on eligible items and allows you to add authorized users at no additional cost.

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Cons

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• The welcome bonus is smaller and there are fewer bonus rewards categories compared to premium airline cards.
• Cardholders don't receive premium travel benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, or lounge access.

United Gateway vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or United Gateway, it's important to consider your primary spending habits and reward goals.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is ideal for cash back seekers and everyday spenders who prefer a straightforward rewards structure with consistent earnings on all purchases, plus bonuses on dining and at drugstores.
• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is designed for occasional United Airlines flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles on United purchases, as well as on everyday spending at gas stations and on local transit.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel booked through the Chase travel portal. These points can also be transferred to other premium Chase cards for potentially greater value when redeeming for travel.

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for award flights on United and its airline partners. You can also use miles for other redemptions like seat upgrades, hotel stays, and merchandise.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®:
  • Travel Portal: Cardholders can book flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card is not ideal for use abroad, as it charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the U.S.
  • Travel Protections: Offers some basic protections, including an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

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• United Gateway℠ Card:
  • Airline-Specific Benefits: Provides a 25% statement credit on in-flight United purchases and unlocks expanded award availability for MileagePlus members.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: A major perk is that it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international spending.
  • Travel Protections: It also includes key protections like an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a comprehensive tool that helps you compare top-rated credit cards by analyzing your personal spending habits to maximize rewards.

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• Test drive a credit card before you apply by simulating your potential earnings based on your actual spending data, without a hard credit pull.
• Receive personalized card recommendations from a database of nearly 3,000 cards, based on your transaction history.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• New users can receive a $20 bonus after signing up with a promo code and making an eligible purchase.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who prefer a straightforward, flat-rate rewards structure over tracking rotating categories. It also serves as a great entry point for those new to credit card rewards or as a powerful companion card for existing Chase customers looking to maximize their Ultimate Rewards® points. As detailed in this comprehensive guide, the card provides valuable perks like purchase protection and some travel benefits, all without an annual fee.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who want to earn MileagePlus miles without committing to an annual fee. It's also a strong contender for credit card beginners and budget-conscious travelers, as this no-fee United Airlines option has no foreign transaction fees, making it a practical companion for international trips. New cardholders can benefit from a 30,000-mile introductory bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months and a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then a variable APR of 20.24% - 28.74%), which is ideal for financing a large purchase.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs United Gateway comparison has shown that neither card is the right fit for your wallet, don't worry. The world of rewards credit cards is vast, and there are several other excellent options to consider.

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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, including the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, typically require a good to excellent score for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.
• Review your card strategy: Consider how a new card will pair with others in your wallet, such as combining Chase cards to maximize rewards.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of any application restrictions, like Chase's 5/24 rule, before you apply.
• Add an authorized user - Consider adding a trusted person to your account to help meet spending requirements for the welcome offer.
• Use a smart wallet - Leverage a tool like Kudos to ensure you're applying for the best available public offer.

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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Can I transfer points from the Chase Freedom Unlimited to United Airlines?

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Yes, but indirectly. To transfer points earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to the United MileagePlus program, you must also have a premium Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

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Which card is better for someone new to credit card rewards?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is generally a better starting point for beginners due to its simple rewards structure and no annual fee, making it easy to manage while earning valuable rewards on every purchase.

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Do the miles earned with the United Gateway Card expire?

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Your United MileagePlus miles will not expire as long as your credit card account remains open and in good standing, which is a significant benefit for travelers who may not fly frequently.

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