IHG One Rewards Premier 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 quick look at what makes the United Gateway℠ Card a compelling choice.

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• It's an accessible entry point into the United MileagePlus program, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
• The card includes valuable travel and purchase protections, such as an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation coverage.
• With no annual fee to offset, cardholders can realize positive value simply by earning rewards on everyday spending and taking advantage of the introductory offer (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees make this a genuinely low-cost way to earn United miles.
• New cardmembers can benefit from an introductory bonus offer and an intro APR period on purchases.
• Comes with key travel and shopping protections, including an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation coverage, and extended warranty protection.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits commonly found on other airline cards, such as free checked bags or priority boarding.
• The rewards structure is less generous than competing cards, with limited bonus categories and a smaller introductory offer.

United Gateway vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or the United Gateway℠ Card, depends entirely on your travel habits and loyalty. One card is tailored for dedicated hotel guests, while the other serves flyers of a specific airline.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This hotel rewards card is best suited for frequent travelers who consistently stay at IHG properties. It is designed to maximize rewards and enhance the hotel experience for IHG loyalists.
• United Gateway℠ Card: As an entry-level airline card, this is a great option for occasional United Airlines flyers or those just starting with travel rewards. It offers a way to earn miles with the airline without a significant commitment.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for free nights at IHG's vast portfolio of hotels and resorts worldwide. Cardholders can also use points for other travel-related purchases or transfer them to airline partners.

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles accrued with this card are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, mainly for award flights on United and its Star Alliance partners. Miles can also be used for seat upgrades, hotel stays, and other travel experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The IHG Premier Card is built for international travel with no foreign transaction fees. The United Gateway℠ Card, on the other hand, does charge a fee for purchases made outside the U.S.
• Travel Network: Cardholders of the IHG Premier Card tap into the vast IHG hotel and resort ecosystem, with a key perk being a fourth night free on award stays. The United Gateway℠ Card provides access to the United MileagePlus program, allowing for award flight bookings on United and its extensive list of Star Alliance partner airlines.
• Lounge Access: As a no-annual-fee airline card, the United Gateway℠ Card does not include airport lounge access. Similarly, the IHG Premier Card focuses its benefits on the hotel experience and does not offer this perk.
• Elite Status and In-Flight Benefits: The IHG card automatically grants Platinum Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program, unlocking benefits like potential room upgrades. The United card offers a statement credit back on in-flight purchases, including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the best choice for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can use your real transaction history to simulate how much you would earn with a new card. This feature provides personalized reward projections to eliminate guesswork.
• Approval odds analysis: Understand your likelihood of being approved for specific cards with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval for a card you added to your wallet, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points or cash back when you shop at participating stores through the platform.
• Personalized recommendations: Discover new credit cards that are matched to your unique spending history to maximize your earnings.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is designed for loyalists of the IHG family of hotels, including brands like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and Kimpton. Cardholders who travel often enough to take advantage of automatic Platinum Elite status and the fourth-night-free reward on longer stays will find the most value. If you can consistently use the annual free night certificate, the card’s benefits will likely outweigh its annual fee.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an ideal choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It also serves as a great starting point for credit card beginners looking to dip their toes into the world of travel rewards with a straightforward card. Additionally, budget-conscious international travelers will appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees, making this no-fee United option a solid choice for those already within the Chase ecosystem.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Premier vs. United Gateway comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards 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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Good to excellent credit is typically required for approval.
• Review application rules: Be aware of issuer-specific policies that may affect your eligibility.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet the minimum spend for a welcome offer naturally.

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Application Strategy

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• Leverage existing relationships: Applying for a card from a bank you already use can sometimes streamline the process.
• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Align with your habits: Choose cards that reward your typical spending and travel patterns to maximize value.

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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Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday spending?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Card offers accelerated earning at IHG hotels, gas stations, and restaurants, making it a strong choice for travel and dining expenses. The United Gateway Card provides bonus miles on United purchases, local transit, and at gas stations, catering more to commuters and United loyalists.

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Can I get a free checked bag with either card?

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Neither the IHG One Rewards Premier Card nor the United Gateway Card includes a free checked bag benefit. This particular perk is typically reserved for more premium, higher-annual-fee airline co-branded credit cards.

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Do the points I earn with these cards expire?

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IHG One Rewards points can expire after 12 months of account inactivity, but simply holding the IHG Premier card prevents this from happening. United MileagePlus miles, on the other hand, do not expire, so any miles earned with the United Gateway Card are safe as long as your account remains open.

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