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Side-by-side

TAP Miles and Go American Express Card vs United Gateway Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The TAP Miles and Go American Express Card comes from Cardless at $79/yr; the United Gateway Card from Chase at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureTAP Miles and Go American Express CardUnited Gateway Card
Annual fee$79$0
Sign-up bonus40,000 bonus miles30,000 miles
Bonus value (est.)-$390
Min spend to unlock bonus$2,500 in 3 mo$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerCardlessChase
Card categoryairlinetravel
Best earning category (Tap_air_portugal)3x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 3x miles on TAP purchases
  • 2 Lisbon lounge passes per year
  • Free extra checked bag
  • Star Alliance redemptions
  • 2x on United + transit + gas
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
  • 25% inflight rebate
Read the full review
TAP Miles and Go American Express Card
$79/yr · 40,000 bonus miles
Read the full review
United Gateway Card
$0/yr · 30,000 miles

Editorial take: TAP Miles and Go American Express Card

The only US co-branded card for a European Star Alliance carrier. Useful if you fly TAP to Lisbon or onward Europe several times a year, since the lounge passes, free extra bag, and Premium Boarding can each be worth more than the $79 annual fee on a single transatlantic trip.

Editorial take: United Gateway Card

The no-fee United card. Doesn't include free bags (that starts with the Explorer), so it's really only worth it for credit-building purposes.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, TAP Miles and Go American Express Card or United Gateway Card?
The United Gateway Card has a public bonus (30,000 miles, worth roughly $390), while the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card doesn't advertise one right now.
Is the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card's $79 annual fee worth it compared to the United Gateway Card?
At $79/yr, the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the United Gateway Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card and United Gateway Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Cardless and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card or the United Gateway Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. TAP Miles and Go American Express Card: $2,500 spend in 3 months. United Gateway Card: $1,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.