The United Gateway Card is a no-annual-fee card designed for people building or rebuilding credit

The United Gateway Card is a secured credit card issued by United Airlines and Barclays. You put down a cash deposit — typically between $500 and $2,500 — which becomes your credit limit. The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so responsible use builds your credit history. There is no annual fee, which sets it apart from many secured cards that charge $25 to $95 yearly.

The card is built around United Airlines travel, so the rewards structure reflects that. You earn 1 point per dollar on all purchases, with bonus categories for United purchases and dining. If you don't fly United or eat out frequently, the rewards won't move the needle. The real value is in the credit-building mechanism and the path to an unsecured card later.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a cash deposit of $500 to $2,500 to open the account, and that deposit becomes your spending limit.
  • The card charges no annual fee and reports to all three credit bureaus, making it a tool for building credit history from scratch.
  • You earn 1 point per dollar on all purchases, with 2 points per dollar on United purchases and dining at restaurants.
  • After responsible use — typically 7 to 12 months of on-time payments — you may be offered a path to an unsecured United card without the deposit requirement.

How the deposit and credit limit work

Your cash deposit is held in a separate account and is not used to pay your bill. Instead, you receive a credit line equal to your deposit amount. If you deposit $1,000, your credit limit is $1,000. You pay your monthly bill from your regular bank account, just like any other credit card.

The deposit stays frozen for as long as you hold the card as a secured product. Once Barclays converts you to an unsecured card — which happens after you demonstrate consistent on-time payments — the deposit is released back to you. This usually takes 7 to 12 months, though timelines vary based on your payment history and credit profile.

Rewards structure and earning rates

The card earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases. Dining at restaurants earns 2 points per dollar, and United Airlines purchases earn 2 points per dollar. United purchases include flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and purchases through the United website. Dining includes restaurants coded as dining merchants, but not grocery stores or gas stations.

Points can be redeemed for United flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related expenses. The redemption value varies depending on the flight and route, so points are worth more on some bookings than others. If you rarely fly United or don't eat out regularly, the bonus categories won't generate much value. For someone building credit who also travels on United, the rewards offset some of the cost of holding a secured card.

Annual fees and other costs

The United Gateway Card has no annual fee. This is a meaningful advantage over competitors like the Capital One Secured Mastercard ($39 annual fee) and the Discover it Secured Credit Card ($0 annual fee, but limited to $2,500 maximum deposit). The no-fee structure makes it cheaper to hold long-term while you build credit.

You will pay interest on any balance you carry. The APR is not fixed and depends on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account. Barclays typically offers rates in the 18% to 24% range for secured card applicants. Paying your full balance each month avoids interest charges entirely and is the fastest way to build credit.

Credit reporting and building history

The card reports your payment history, credit utilization, and account age to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means every on-time payment strengthens your credit score, and every late payment damages it. The credit bureaus weight recent payment history heavily, so the first 6 to 12 months of use matter most.

To maximize credit-building, keep your balance well below your limit — ideally under 30% of your credit line. A $1,000 limit with a $300 balance looks better to credit bureaus than a $1,000 limit with a $900 balance. Make all payments on time, even if you're only paying the minimum. Over time, this pattern raises your credit score enough to open doors to unsecured cards and better terms elsewhere.

Path to graduating to an unsecured card

Barclays does not publish exact criteria for converting a secured account to unsecured, but the general pattern is 7 to 12 months of on-time payments and a rising credit score. Some cardholders receive an offer in the mail; others can call Barclays to request a review. When you graduate, the deposit is returned to your bank account, and your credit limit may increase.

The unsecured version is typically a standard United card without the deposit requirement. Your credit limit on the unsecured card may be higher or lower than your deposit amount — it depends on your credit profile at the time of conversion. Not all secured cardholders are offered conversion, particularly if you've missed payments or carried high balances throughout the secured period.

How the United Gateway Card compares to other secured options

The Discover it Secured Credit Card also charges no annual fee and reports to all three bureaus. It offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere — potentially more valuable than United points if you don't fly. Discover's maximum deposit is $2,500, matching the United card's ceiling. The main trade-off is that Discover rewards are cash back (more flexible) while United rewards are airline points (less flexible unless you fly United).

The Capital One Secured Mastercard charges a $39 annual fee but has a lower minimum deposit ($200) and may be easier to open if your credit is very thin. The Chime Credit Builder Card requires no deposit at all, but it's designed for people with some credit history already — it won't help if you have no history or a very low score.

Choose the United Gateway Card if you fly United regularly or want to build a relationship with that airline. Choose Discover it Secured if you want cash back and no annual fee. Choose Capital One Secured if your budget is tight and you want a lower minimum deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the card internationally?

Yes, the United Gateway Card is a Visa card and works at merchants worldwide. Barclays charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States. If you travel frequently outside the US, factor that fee into your decision — some travel cards charge no foreign transaction fee, though most require better credit to open.

What happens if I miss a payment?

A missed payment is reported to all three credit bureaus and damages your credit score. It also triggers late fees (typically $25 to $35) and may raise your APR. If you miss a payment by 60 days or more, Barclays may close the account and keep your deposit. Always set up autopay for at least the minimum payment to avoid this outcome.

Can I increase my credit limit without adding more money?

Once you graduate to an unsecured card, your credit limit can increase without a deposit. While you hold the secured card, your limit is locked to your deposit amount. Some issuers allow you to add more money to increase your limit, but Barclays does not typically offer this option — you would need to open a second account if you wanted a higher limit.

How long does it take to build credit with this card?

You will see movement in your credit score within 30 to 60 days of opening the account, assuming on-time payments. Meaningful improvement — enough to open other cards or get better rates — usually takes 6 to 12 months of consistent use. The longer you hold the card and the older your account becomes, the more it helps your credit profile.

What if I want to close the account?

You can close the account at any time by calling Barclays. Your deposit will be returned within 7 to 10 business days. Closing the account does not erase your payment history — the account will remain on your credit report for seven years, continuing to help your credit score if you made on-time payments. Closing it early means you lose the benefit of account age, which is a factor in credit scoring.