Card comparison · Chase
United Gateway vs United Explorer
The United Gateway ($0 annual fee) ranks #101 and the United Explorer ($150 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year)) ranks #37 of the 294 credit cards we score. Here they are side by side, from our card database.
Side by side
| United Gateway | United Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Chase | Chase |
| Annual fee | $0 | $150 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year) |
| Welcome offer | Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open, plus 10,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user to your account in the first 3 months your account is open (up to 50,000 bonus miles in total). | Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open; 10,000 Bonus Miles after you add an authorized user in the first 3 months of opening the account |
| Rewards |
|
|
| Intro APR | purchases 12 months | — |
| Ongoing APR | 19.74%-28.24% | — |
| Balance transfer fee | — | — |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Our overall score | 55 (#101 of 294) | 61 (#37 of 294) |
| Dining ranking | not in this list | #45 of 67 |
| Airline ranking | #15 of 39 | #12 of 39 |
| 0% intro APR ranking | #40 of 46 | not in this list |
| Apply now | Apply now |
Offers, fees and APRs are shown as stored in our database and can change at any time; terms apply. Always confirm current terms on the issuer’s site before applying. Not financial advice. Partner links, where they exist, never change the order. Affiliate disclosure.
Which one fits you
- Higher overall score: United Explorer (61 vs 55). Our score weighs rewards value, fees, the welcome offer and APR; see how we score cards.
- Lower annual fee: United Gateway, by $150 a year ($0 vs $150 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year)). The pricier card has to earn at least $150 more in rewards or credits you actually use to come out ahead.
- Dining: only United Explorer is in our dining ranking (#45 of 67).
- Airline: United Explorer ranks higher in our airline ranking (#12 vs #15 of 39).
- 0% intro APR: only United Gateway is in our 0% intro APR ranking (#40 of 46).
- 0% intro APR on purchases: United Gateway (12 months; United Explorer has none in our data).
How we compared them
Every figure comes from our card database (checked against each issuer’s site) as of October 21, 2026 and is shown as stored, without our own estimates. Ranks use our overall score and, for categories, the score each category ranking is built on. Neither card can pay to rank higher, and partner links never change a score or an order. Terms apply; confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Is the United Gateway better than the United Explorer?
By our overall score the United Explorer ranks higher (61 vs 55), but the better card is the one that fits your spending: compare the rewards rows above with where you spend most, and whether you'd use enough of the higher-fee card's benefits to cover its fee.
Which has the lower annual fee, United Gateway or United Explorer?
The United Gateway: $0 vs $150 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year), as stored in our database.
What are the welcome offers on the United Gateway and United Explorer?
United Gateway: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open, plus 10,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user to your account in the first 3 months your account is open (up to 50,000 bonus miles in total). United Explorer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open; 10,000 Bonus Miles after you add an authorized user in the first 3 months of opening the account. Offers change often; terms apply.
Which is better for everyday categories like dining, groceries or travel?
Dining: only United Explorer is in our dining ranking (#45 of 67). Airline: United Explorer ranks higher in our airline ranking (#12 vs #15 of 39). 0% intro APR: only United Gateway is in our 0% intro APR ranking (#40 of 46).