Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 why the United Gateway℠ Card is a compelling choice.

• You can earn United miles without the pressure of an annual fee, making it a great entry point for occasional travelers.

• It offers valuable travel protections like an auto rental waiver and trip cancellation coverage, which are rare for a no-annual-fee airline card.

• With no annual fee to offset, every reward mile you earn is pure value from your very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• You’ll earn MileagePlus miles on everyday spending, with bonus categories that go beyond just United purchases.

• It’s a solid choice for international travel since it has no foreign transaction fees, a feature not often found on no-annual-fee airline cards.

• The card offers useful protections for your purchases, including coverage against damage or theft and extended warranty protection.

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Cons

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• It doesn't include premium travel benefits such as free checked bags or priority boarding, which can be a dealbreaker for frequent United flyers.

• The card's rewards structure is less robust, with limited bonus categories and a smaller welcome offer than what you'll find on United's premium cards.

• Cardholders miss out on long-term value perks like anniversary bonus miles or a companion certificate.

United Gateway℠ vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred or United Gateway, comes down to your personal travel habits and what you value in a rewards card.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: This card is considered a top choice for entry-level travel rewards. It's ideal for frequent travelers who want strong rewards and protections without a premium annual fee.
• United Gateway℠ Card: Best for United loyalists, this card is an entry-level option for those who fly the airline occasionally and want to earn miles without an annual commitment.

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Redemption

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Points earned with this card offer significant flexibility, as they can be redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, transferred to various airline and hotel partners, or used for cash back.
• United Gateway℠ Card: As a co-branded airline card, its miles are deposited directly into your United MileagePlus account and are primarily used for booking award flights with United and its airline partners.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®:
  • Operates within the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal, where points have an increased value for travel redemptions.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Includes an annual hotel credit.
  • Provides a comprehensive suite of travel protections, including primary auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
  • Does not include airport lounge access.
• United Gateway℠ Card:
  • Miles are redeemed directly through United Airlines for flights with United and its Star Alliance partners.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Offers a statement credit back on in-flight purchases made with United.
  • Includes some travel protections, such as an auto rental damage waiver and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
  • Does not include airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated credit cards using your own spending data.

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• Test Drive Feature: You can simulate any credit card using your real spending data to see personalized earnings and net value before you apply.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of getting approved for a card through Kudos, they will match it.
• Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances for a card based on your credit report.
• Personalized Matching: Receive card recommendations based on your actual transaction history to find the best fit for your spending patterns.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want to earn significant rewards without committing to a high-end annual fee. As this comprehensive review details, the card is particularly well-suited for individuals who spend on dining, streaming, and online groceries, and who value flexible redemption options. With robust travel protections and no foreign transaction fees, it's a top-tier card for those just getting serious about maximizing travel rewards.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway℠?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is a strong contender for occasional United flyers and those new to travel rewards who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It's also a great fit for budget-conscious international travelers, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees. As detailed in this United Gateway℠ Card review, the card is ideal for earning miles on everyday purchases, especially in bonus categories like gas and local transit.

Alternatives to Consider

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Perhaps the flexible travel rewards of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card don't quite fit your spending, or maybe the airline-specific perks of the United Gateway℠ Card aren't what you need. Fortunately, there are several other excellent cards to consider that might be a better match.

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Tips for Application Success

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Ready to apply? Following a few key steps can significantly boost your chances of approval and ensure you get the most out of your new card from day one.

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Before You Apply:

• Check your credit score. You will generally need a good to excellent credit score to qualify for top-tier travel cards.
• Be mindful of application rules. Many issuers have specific guidelines. For example, Chase has an unofficial policy known as the 5/24 rule, which means your application may be denied if you've opened five or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.
• Plan your spending. Most welcome offers require you to meet a minimum spending threshold in the first few months. Map out how you’ll reach this spend naturally, and remember that cash advances and balance transfers typically don't count.

Application Strategy:

• Consider adding an authorized user. Some cards, like the United Gateway℠ Card, allow you to add an authorized user at no additional cost, which can help you meet spending requirements faster.
• Look for referral opportunities. Once you're a cardholder, many issuers offer bonus points or miles for successfully referring friends to the card.

Pro tip: Time your application just before a planned large purchase, like a vacation, new furniture, or a home project. This can help you hit the spending requirement for the welcome offer without overextending your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the annual fees for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and United Gateway℠ cards?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee. In contrast, the United Gateway℠ Card has no annual fee.

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Can I transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® to United Airlines?

Yes, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with the Sapphire Preferred card to the United MileagePlus® program at a 1:1 ratio. This feature provides valuable flexibility for booking award flights on United and its partners.

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Which card is better for earning United miles?

The United Gateway℠ Card earns United MileagePlus® miles directly on every purchase. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns flexible Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to United or redeemed through other travel partners.