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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs United Gateway: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium card ideal for frequent travelers and diners looking to maximize rewards and enjoy comprehensive travel benefits.
- The United Gateway℠ Card is a no-annual-fee option for earning United miles on airline purchases, gas, and local transit.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a quick look at why the Chase Sapphire Reserve® stands out in the crowded premium travel card market.
- The card features a flexible $300 annual travel credit that automatically applies to a wide range of travel purchases.
- You get complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which grants access to an extensive network of airport lounges.
- With the $300 travel credit offsetting the $795 annual fee, the card's premium perks become much more accessible (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers robust travel and purchase protections, providing peace of mind during your trips.
- Features a flexible rewards program that allows you to transfer points to a variety of high-value airline and hotel partners.
- Provides valuable lifestyle benefits, including a complimentary DashPass membership and access to exclusive dining and entertainment events through Reserved by Sapphire℠.
Cons
- The high annual fee can be a significant hurdle for those who don't travel frequently enough to maximize its benefits.
- Approval typically requires an excellent credit score, placing it out of reach for some applicants.
- Maximizing the card's value requires some effort, as several key benefits need to be manually activated and the rewards program has a learning curve.
United Gateway Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a quick look at what makes the United Gateway℠ Card a compelling choice for many travelers.
- You can enjoy the card's travel perks without paying an annual fee, making it a cost-effective option.
- It comes with valuable travel protections, including an auto rental collision damage waiver and no foreign transaction fees.
- The introductory bonus provides a high-value return on the initial spending requirement (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage, offering a safety net for unexpected travel issues.
- Your new purchases are covered against damage or theft, and eligible warranties are extended.
- You can add authorized users at no additional cost, helping you earn rewards on their spending.
Cons
- It lacks premium United benefits, such as free checked bags and priority boarding.
- Bonus categories for earning miles are limited, restricting rewards to a few types of purchases.
- The miles you earn cannot be transferred to other airline or hotel loyalty programs.
United Gateway vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or United Gateway, often comes down to your specific travel habits and budget.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card: This card is best suited for frequent travelers who can maximize its premium travel benefits and rewards. It is also ideal for those who dine out often and value the flexibility of transferring points to various airline and hotel partners.
- United Gateway℠ Card: This card is an entry-level option for occasional United Airlines flyers, credit card beginners, and budget-conscious travelers. It's a good fit for anyone who wants to earn United miles without committing to an annual fee.
Redemption
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Cardholders can redeem points for travel through the Chase portal or transfer them to a wide array of airline and hotel loyalty programs. This flexibility allows for maximizing value across different travel plans.
United Gateway℠ Card: Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with United and its airline partners.
Travel Perks
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®:
- Travel Portal: Cardholders have access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where points are worth more when redeemed for travel.
- Lounge Access: This card includes a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which provides access to a global network of airport lounges.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: There are no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
- Key Credits: The card offers an annual travel credit and a statement credit for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS. It's important to note that points are not earned on the first $300 in travel purchases each year, as that spending is reimbursed via the annual travel credit.
- United Gateway℠ Card:
- Travel Portal: Rewards are redeemed as miles through the United MileagePlus program for flights and upgrades.
- Lounge Access: This card does not offer complimentary airport lounge access.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: A fee is charged on all foreign transactions.
- Key Perks: Cardholders receive 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases, including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi, on United-operated flights.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To stop guessing and start making data-driven decisions, Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: Use the Test Drive feature to see how much a card could earn you based on your actual spending patterns, all before you apply.
- Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your likelihood of approval for different cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
- $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards when you add certain approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
- Personalized insights: Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and get tips to maximize your rewards.
Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is designed for frequent travelers and diners who value premium perks and can maximize the card's benefits to offset its annual fee. Its ideal user will easily spend enough on travel to use the full $300 Annual Travel Credit; keep in mind that points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually, as this amount goes toward the credit. Beyond rewards, this cardholder also seeks comprehensive travel protections, airport lounge access, and the flexibility to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
Who Should Choose the United Gateway?
The United Gateway℠ Card is an ideal choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who want to accumulate MileagePlus miles on everyday spending without committing to an annual fee. It's also well-suited for credit card beginners and budget-conscious travelers, thanks to its straightforward rewards and lack of foreign transaction fees. As an entry-level option, it integrates seamlessly for existing Chase customers, making it a convenient way to earn travel rewards.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. United Gateway comparison didn't land on the perfect card for you, don't worry. Let's take a look at a few other top travel cards that might be a better match for your wallet.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check Your Credit: You will generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan Your Spending: Make sure you can meet the minimum spend for a welcome offer without overspending.
- Know the Rules: Research any application restrictions and note which benefits require enrollment.
Application Strategy
- Watch for Application Limits - Some issuers may decline your application if you've opened too many recent accounts.
- Time Your Application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
- Choose the Right Tier - Select a card whose benefits align with your travel frequency and budget.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the United Gateway Card?
Yes, it is possible to hold both cards at the same time since they are considered different products. You will still need to meet Chase's specific eligibility criteria for each application, including rules like the 5/24 rule.
Can I transfer points from my Chase Sapphire Reserve® to United Airlines?
Yes, a key feature of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the ability to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to travel partners, including United MileagePlus®, at a 1:1 ratio. This allows you to use your points to book award flights directly with the airline.
How does the Chase Sapphire Reserve® travel credit work?
The card includes a $300 Annual Travel Credit that is automatically applied as a statement credit for travel purchases charged to your card. Points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually, as those purchases go toward earning the travel credit.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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