Last edit by: RNE
How do I get the first-year free offer for the United Club card?
There is no foolproof method. As of January 2016, anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that the first-year-free offer (as opposed to the standard offer with $395 AF, minus $100 credit with first purchase) is targeted at UA elites and former paid Club members.
In prior years, some of the following links gave non-elites access to the first-year-free offer. Current odds of success appear to be low.
Regardless of the method used, you will need to log into your UA account to see the offer available to you.
How do I find/apply for the United MileagePlus Club Business Card?
https://www.theexplorercard.com/Club50kAF
Go to www.theexplorercard.com, then either
After logging into your United account, you may be targeted for the annual fee waiver on the business version of the card.
There is no foolproof method. As of January 2016, anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that the first-year-free offer (as opposed to the standard offer with $395 AF, minus $100 credit with first purchase) is targeted at UA elites and former paid Club members.
In prior years, some of the following links gave non-elites access to the first-year-free offer. Current odds of success appear to be low.
- https://mpclubcard.com/rsvp
- https://www.mpclubcard.com/2015
- https://www.theexplorercard.com/ClubAFW
- http://www.united.com/2014clubfree
- http://www.mpclubcard.com/comfort (added Jul 10, 2016)
- http://www.MPClubCard.com/world (added Jan 6, 2020 by RNE)
How do I find/apply for the United MileagePlus Club Business Card?
https://www.theexplorercard.com/Club50kAF
Go to www.theexplorercard.com, then either
- Click "Are you a business owner?" in the top right then "Learn about the MileagePlus Club Business Card" in the right column.
- Click "Compare to the MileagePlus Club Card" in the right column then "Compare to the MileagePlus Club Business Card" in the right column.
After logging into your United account, you may be targeted for the annual fee waiver on the business version of the card.
United MileagePlus Club Card, 1st Year Annual Fee Waived, Tied to United Status?
#766
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: RDU
Posts: 735
As a reference point, my annual fee just posted so I called to downgrade my card. I downgraded to a card with no annual fee called the Chase MileagePlus Rewards Card.
#767
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego Area
Programs: UA Gold MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott Plat LT, HH Gold, IHG Plat, WoH Discvst, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,834
Apologies if this has been asked and answered (I did try to search):
If one gets approved for the card, but still has say 3 months remaining on their existing paid UC membership, does the membership expiration get extended for one year from the existing expiration or one year from card approval (thereby effectively double paying for 3 months )?
Thanks.
If one gets approved for the card, but still has say 3 months remaining on their existing paid UC membership, does the membership expiration get extended for one year from the existing expiration or one year from card approval (thereby effectively double paying for 3 months )?
Thanks.
#768
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Titanium and LTP, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 785
Apologies if this has been asked and answered (I did try to search):
If one gets approved for the card, but still has say 3 months remaining on their existing paid UC membership, does the membership expiration get extended for one year from the existing expiration or one year from card approval (thereby effectively double paying for 3 months )?
Thanks.
If one gets approved for the card, but still has say 3 months remaining on their existing paid UC membership, does the membership expiration get extended for one year from the existing expiration or one year from card approval (thereby effectively double paying for 3 months )?
Thanks.
#769
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 109
Seems like everyone flying out of Newark has this card. The Group 2 line is by far the longest line on the flights I've been on, even longer than Group 5.
#770
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Plastic, Delta Silver Emeritus
Posts: 1,037
This may be a well-known pro-consumer glitch.
My wife, a daughter and a daughter's friend are flying on a reservation made with miles from my Mileageplus miles. They have Premier Access on their boarding pass and it appears they may get 4 bags (not counting on it) free based on the check in screens even though I am not traveling.
My wife, a daughter and a daughter's friend are flying on a reservation made with miles from my Mileageplus miles. They have Premier Access on their boarding pass and it appears they may get 4 bags (not counting on it) free based on the check in screens even though I am not traveling.
#771
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,684
#774
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,684
#775
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: National EE, Hyatt Discoverist, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 508
Flying out of DFW on any flight is just the same. Paying extra for Group 1 boarding is a joke. All the AA elites board, then all the OW elites (mid-tier and higher), followed by AA Group 1. By the time G1 boards all the overhead bins up front in the main cabin are full. So no, its not just United that has long lines of elites followed by only average boarding lines for non-elites.
#776
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG/Marriott Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 132
Data point for targeting.
I was eligible for the 1st year no AF by using the link in the wiki and logging into my UA account. I have NO status with UA but I do have about 100k miles and the MPE card.
I was eligible for the 1st year no AF by using the link in the wiki and logging into my UA account. I have NO status with UA but I do have about 100k miles and the MPE card.
#777
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,684
#779
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
Question for those who have upgraded from the Explorer card: How long did it take to receive your new card and benefits after upgrading? My plan is to upgrade to the Club card the first week of May (my 1 year anniversary), as I have several trips coming up and would love to have the Club card benefits. Would I receive the new card & benefits within a week? It sounds like new accounts have had their welcome kits shipped via expedited delivery, but I'm not sure about upgraded accounts.
#780
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 384
MileagePlus Explorer cardholders also board in Group 2 as well as Premier Gold, Star Gold, Premier Silver & Star Silver.