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Side-by-side

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs United Gateway Card

Both are travel travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes from Chase at $95/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

Both cards come from Chase and target travel spenders, so the choice usually comes down to whether you'll use the premium-tier benefits. The Chase Sapphire Preferred costs $95 more per year, only worth it if you'll actually use the upgraded perks.

FeatureChase Sapphire PreferredUnited Gateway Card
Annual fee$95$0
Sign-up bonus75,000 points30,000 miles
Bonus value (est.)$1,500$390
Min spend to unlock bonus$5,000 in 3 mo$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerChaseChase
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Travel)5x1x
Transfer partnerschase-urNone
Headline benefits
  • 5x on travel booked via Chase
  • 3x on dining & streaming
  • $50 annual hotel credit
  • Transfer to 13 partners (Hyatt 1:1)
  • 2x on United + transit + gas
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
  • 25% inflight rebate
Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points
Read the full review
United Gateway Card
$0/yr · 30,000 miles

Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred

The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game. Note: the 10% anniversary points bonus sunsets October 1, 2026.

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, Chase Sapphire Preferred or United Gateway Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, versus 30,000 miles (~$390) on the United Gateway Card.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the United Gateway Card?
At $95/yr, the Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred and United Gateway Card?
Yes, though both are issued by Chase so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred or the United Gateway Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 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.