Jan 25, 2015, 10:06 am
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?
Apr 16, 2015, 1:40 pm
#781
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
Just received two more one visit club passes courtesy Explorer Card. Now I have four good through 2015 or Sept. 2016. That's enough for my two round trip flights this summer. So, will hold off on upgrading to Club card until Autumn at least. Hopefully I will be good boarding in group 2. Otherwise might want to upgrade sooner.
Apr 23, 2015, 7:38 pm
#782
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 109
Data point: my card was used in Italy - but I wasn't there. They sent me a replacement card. This has a new design and has the Chip
Apr 27, 2015, 8:28 pm
#783
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA Premier 1K, *A Gold
Posts: 160
FYI: Chase is redesigning the United Explorer/Club cards to account for the EMV chip that messed up the old design. I like this design a lot better than the old design.
Apr 27, 2015, 9:32 pm
#785
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
Apr 28, 2015, 12:27 am
#786
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
Apr 28, 2015, 7:11 am
#787
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,784
The old design actually has a blank space where the chip would go, so I am not sure how the chip would mess up the old design? Although the new design looks nice.. less like my CSP card.
Apr 28, 2015, 4:11 pm
#788
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
A poster in the United forum just received a Club card with the new design and reported that it is still metal.
Also of note: it appears that the business versions of Explorer and Club cards are now available with the new design & EMV chip.
Also of note: it appears that the business versions of Explorer and Club cards are now available with the new design & EMV chip.
Apr 28, 2015, 10:41 pm
#789
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 714
My husband qualified for the $0 annual fee card but I could only get the statement credit. Neither of us have status.
Apr 30, 2015, 9:45 am
#790
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,135
Given the new report in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...irst-year.html, I've updated the wiki to include the newer 2015 link.
As before, this will work for some people but not all. (I'm redirected to the no-AF-waiver, $100 credit offer instead.) YMMV.
(And yes, I've suggested to mods for both forums that the threads be merged.)
As before, this will work for some people but not all. (I'm redirected to the no-AF-waiver, $100 credit offer instead.) YMMV.
(And yes, I've suggested to mods for both forums that the threads be merged.)
Apr 30, 2015, 1:23 pm
#791
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
Will be getting new Club card soon. Look forward to the new design. I used the secure message center on the website. It took then five days to respond to my request. Should have just called them.
Last edited by eajusa; May 1, 2015 at 1:35 pm
Apr 30, 2015, 1:53 pm
#792
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 994
Data Point: Was able to get MP Club card 1st year free screen. However, I got the explorer plus 50k deal instead.
May 5, 2015, 9:45 am
#793
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,036
I have no UA status. I have tried multiple links on multiple browsers and I only get offered the club card with $100 rebate, or the regular Explorer card with 50K bonus miles and first year waived. No first year free Club Card for me 
Oh well.
Oh well.
May 5, 2015, 11:09 am
#794
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
I have no status with UA (I had low-tier status for one year back in 2007 or something) and have only flown them maybe two times in the last year, and yesterday I got this targeted offer in the mail. I was surprised. I don't anticipate flying UA in the near future.