Card Comparison
United Explorer vs United Gateway
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Annual Fee
$150/yr
No annual fee
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
85,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
30,000 points
Spend $1,000 in 3 months
Top Earn Rates
- United Purchases 2x
- Restaurant Purchases 2x
- Hotel Stays 2x
- United Purchases 2x
- Gas Stations 2x
- Local Transit and Commuting 2x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Key Credits
- Statement Credit $5
- Statement Credit $50
- Statement Credit $50
- +1 more
None
Card Perks
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year
None listed
Transfer Partners
No transfer partners
No transfer partners
Common Questions: United Explorer vs United Gateway
Is the United Explorer or United Gateway better for dining?
United Explorer earns 2x on dining; United Gateway has no dining bonus.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
United Explorer currently offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). United Gateway offers 30,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). United Explorer has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the United Explorer and the United Gateway?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from Chase, so check their specific application rules.