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?
May 17, 2015, 12:11 pm
#811
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
Quick update: I worked with @HyattConcierge on Twitter to get my Hyatt account upgraded to Platinum. Took about two days to fully process but my account now shows Platinum membership. For anyone looking to take advantage of this benefit, I would highly recommend communicating with Hyatt via Twitter. The phone reps for both Hyatt and Chase had no clue what I was talking about.
May 19, 2015, 3:03 pm
#812
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
I received an email today that Hyatt automatically upgraded me to Platinum based on my Chase UA Club Card.
May 21, 2015, 12:53 am
#813
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Hawaii
Programs: UA 1K/3.7MM, Hawn Platinum, Hilton Diamond, PC Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Natl Exe Elite
Posts: 248
Older Version UA Mileage Plus Card
Does anyone have the older version that comes with the free companion certificate? If so, does anyone have a copy or web link that shows the applicable fares? Previously, it was good in almost all fares, but now it is only good with full fare tickets. Thanks.
Jun 30, 2015, 10:04 pm
#814
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: DL, Marriott
Posts: 728
Did they change the United Club card to be black? I swear it was navy before, but now it looks black.
Jul 1, 2015, 9:22 am
#815
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
Jul 1, 2015, 11:14 am
#816
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 294
I've been looking into getting the club card for free for the first year, but have not found any deals. Online, the best I can find after entering my MP credentials is $100 credit, and the annual fee is $450. I went to the local Chase Bank branch and they said, MP credit cards can only be applied for online. Anybody else has been successful recently?
Jul 1, 2015, 11:14 am
#817
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: DL, Marriott
Posts: 728
Still, looks nice! I always thought it was blue, but black/dark bronze looks nice!
Jul 1, 2015, 2:02 pm
#818
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG/Marriott Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 132
I've been looking into getting the club card for free for the first year, but have not found any deals. Online, the best I can find after entering my MP credentials is $100 credit, and the annual fee is $450. I went to the local Chase Bank branch and they said, MP credit cards can only be applied for online. Anybody else has been successful recently?
Jul 5, 2015, 9:25 am
#819
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 31
Followed the instructions at the bottom of the post (e.g. If all else fails, login into account, choose a card you don't want, click on link to club card via "other cards you might want", annual fee waiver offer appeared).
This worked on July 5.
This worked on July 5.
Jul 5, 2015, 11:26 am
#820
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Florida USA
Programs: Lufthansa
Posts: 73
It worked for me too.......no "status", thanks. (made screen shot jic)^
Jul 5, 2015, 2:54 pm
#821
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SF
Programs: UA, VX, QF, EY, VA
Posts: 756
I'm SFO based and seem to end up on either UA or AS depending on availability and seat map.
Is this card worth having if you don't care about United Club?
My main use cases are the free checked bags (which would save me at least $50 per leg) and no close in award booking fees (usually travel as 3 pax, so that's like $225 saved on last minute award bookings).
Seems to be reasonable value if you can get the first AF waived and somehow get the $395 AF for the second year?
Is this card worth having if you don't care about United Club?
My main use cases are the free checked bags (which would save me at least $50 per leg) and no close in award booking fees (usually travel as 3 pax, so that's like $225 saved on last minute award bookings).
Seems to be reasonable value if you can get the first AF waived and somehow get the $395 AF for the second year?
Jul 10, 2015, 9:13 am
#822
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 57
I'm thinking about downgrading but I don't want to lose my access to XN fares. I think if you have status with United, you'll see XN anyways so you can ignore my question.
http://www.milevalue.com/how-to-use-united-expert-mode/ for reference
Thanks you!
Jul 10, 2015, 10:04 am
#823
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,313
The first link didn't work for me, the second did. No fee first year but no bonus miles either. Does the first link (or others) work for no fee first year and bonus miles?
Jul 10, 2015, 10:11 am
#824
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Titanium and LTP, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 786
Hi, now that you don't have the MileagePlus Explorer Card, are you still able to see XN class fares with the MileagepPlus Rewards card?
I'm thinking about downgrading but I don't want to lose my access to XN fares. I think if you have status with United, you'll see XN anyways so you can ignore my question.
http://www.milevalue.com/how-to-use-united-expert-mode/ for reference
Thanks you!
I'm thinking about downgrading but I don't want to lose my access to XN fares. I think if you have status with United, you'll see XN anyways so you can ignore my question.
http://www.milevalue.com/how-to-use-united-expert-mode/ for reference
Thanks you!
Jul 10, 2015, 6:12 pm
#825
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 57
I'm not sure that I understand the question.. Its my understanding that those without status and without a mileageplus card can only get "X" fare for awards. I currently have the Explorer card so I can book "XN" fares but I'm thinking of downgrading the card to the no annual fee version but am unsure as to whether or not I'll be able to book these fares still.