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?
Mar 31, 2012, 8:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA PS, AA GLD, SPG GLD, PC PLT, CC GLD
Posts: 217
United MileagePlus Club Card, 1st Year Annual Fee Waived, Tied to United Status?
I've benefited incredibly from this forum and all the people on it, and I want to try and do my part to give back.
The current promotion that is going around is that the United MileagePlus Club Card has a $95 statement credit for the $395 fee. However, I came across an offer for the first year waived.
I stumbled across this an hour ago and have been trying to replicate the exact steps to get the offer to show up. I found another poster who managed to find the same offer as well on the United forum. As far as I know, it's possibly tied to either status with United or having a previous MileagePlus Explorer card. YMMV but see if it works on your end. I started off with a fresh browser and everything logged off (e.g. Chase, United, etc.):
1) Log into your United MileagePlus account via united.com
2) Click on the following link: https://www.theexplorercard.com/MPCl...rce=navigation
I clicked through to the application and there's no explicit mention of the fee waiver, so if applying I fully recommend screen-shotting everything in case an issue does arise. I can only access this link after logging in to United, so I believe this is status linked.
UPDATE: Must have status with United.
UPDATE #2: For those having trouble, others have had success clearing their browser cache and logging into Chase first before clicking on the link. Sometimes multiple clicks may be required, but it worked perfectly the way I mentioned above. One FTer found language of the fee waiver in the "Pricing and Terms" of the application.
The current promotion that is going around is that the United MileagePlus Club Card has a $95 statement credit for the $395 fee. However, I came across an offer for the first year waived.
I stumbled across this an hour ago and have been trying to replicate the exact steps to get the offer to show up. I found another poster who managed to find the same offer as well on the United forum. As far as I know, it's possibly tied to either status with United or having a previous MileagePlus Explorer card. YMMV but see if it works on your end. I started off with a fresh browser and everything logged off (e.g. Chase, United, etc.):
1) Log into your United MileagePlus account via united.com
2) Click on the following link: https://www.theexplorercard.com/MPCl...rce=navigation
I clicked through to the application and there's no explicit mention of the fee waiver, so if applying I fully recommend screen-shotting everything in case an issue does arise. I can only access this link after logging in to United, so I believe this is status linked.
UPDATE: Must have status with United.
UPDATE #2: For those having trouble, others have had success clearing their browser cache and logging into Chase first before clicking on the link. Sometimes multiple clicks may be required, but it worked perfectly the way I mentioned above. One FTer found language of the fee waiver in the "Pricing and Terms" of the application.
Last edited by LordByran; Apr 2, 2012 at 9:02 am Reason: Added status requirement; 2nd update added workarounds
Mar 31, 2012, 8:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,091
Welcome to FT!
I attempted to make this work on my end but it was a no go. It has to be an elite thing as I was able to get the 60k+$50 semi targeted offer after logging in. Sounds like a good deal though!
I attempted to make this work on my end but it was a no go. It has to be an elite thing as I was able to get the 60k+$50 semi targeted offer after logging in. Sounds like a good deal though!
Mar 31, 2012, 9:07 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston
Programs: UA
Posts: 289
Do you mind posting a screenshot of where it says fee waived?
Update:
Logged in with my personal account (had previous card, no status) - No waiver
Logged in with my Dad's account (not sure if he had car, lifetime gold) - Waiver
Update:
Logged in with my personal account (had previous card, no status) - No waiver
Logged in with my Dad's account (not sure if he had car, lifetime gold) - Waiver
Last edited by txrandom; Mar 31, 2012 at 9:09 pm Reason: Based on elite status?
Mar 31, 2012, 9:12 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA PS, AA GLD, SPG GLD, PC PLT, CC GLD
Posts: 217
This is the screenshot:
Mar 31, 2012, 9:16 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston
Programs: UA
Posts: 289
Anyone know if authorized users of this card get the same benefit?
Mar 31, 2012, 9:29 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,277
2p here. I get the offer with first year free. Now I don't know if I want to apply for that or the Explorer 50k in my next batch. I expect the Explorer bonus will still be at least 40k when I'm ready for another go, so I might do this. Thanks!
Mar 31, 2012, 9:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 280
worked for me exactly after following op's instructions. i'm premier silver if it makes a difference.
is there any consensus on what makes this card worth it for the long run? meaning you'd pay future $400 membership fees.
is there any consensus on what makes this card worth it for the long run? meaning you'd pay future $400 membership fees.
Mar 31, 2012, 9:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: IAH, HOU
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,073
I've benefited incredibly from this forum and all the people on it, and I want to try and do my part to give back.
The current promotion that is going around is that the United MileagePlus Club Card has a $95 statement credit for the $395 fee. However, I came across an offer for the first year waived.
I stumbled across this an hour ago and have been trying to replicate the exact steps to get the offer to show up. I found another poster who managed to find the same offer as well on the United forum. As far as I know, it's possibly tied to either status with United or having a previous MileagePlus Explorer card. YMMV but see if it works on your end. I started off with a fresh browser and everything logged off (e.g. Chase, United, etc.):
1) Log into your United MileagePlus account via united.com
2) Click on the following link: https://www.theexplorercard.com/MPCl...rce=navigation
I clicked through to the application and there's no explicit mention of the fee waiver, so if applying I fully recommend screen-shotting everything in case an issue does arise. I can only access this link after logging in to United, so I believe this is status linked.
UPDATE: Must have status with United.
The current promotion that is going around is that the United MileagePlus Club Card has a $95 statement credit for the $395 fee. However, I came across an offer for the first year waived.
I stumbled across this an hour ago and have been trying to replicate the exact steps to get the offer to show up. I found another poster who managed to find the same offer as well on the United forum. As far as I know, it's possibly tied to either status with United or having a previous MileagePlus Explorer card. YMMV but see if it works on your end. I started off with a fresh browser and everything logged off (e.g. Chase, United, etc.):
1) Log into your United MileagePlus account via united.com
2) Click on the following link: https://www.theexplorercard.com/MPCl...rce=navigation
I clicked through to the application and there's no explicit mention of the fee waiver, so if applying I fully recommend screen-shotting everything in case an issue does arise. I can only access this link after logging in to United, so I believe this is status linked.
UPDATE: Must have status with United.
Mar 31, 2012, 9:55 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 41
This worked for me....
I was able to get the Annual Fee Waived offer but it required also logging into my chase account. First, sign into chase, then go to united.com (same window), sign in to united.com (view an itinerary to make sure it's really signed in, sometimes cookies leave you in this not quite signed in state), then paste the URL from this thread. Now it will take you to the explorer card member site. Paste the URL from this thread again and it should take you to the fee waived club card page.
I applied, but of course I'm going to have to go through the reconsideration line, two or three too many chase cards...
christian
I applied, but of course I'm going to have to go through the reconsideration line, two or three too many chase cards...
christian
Mar 31, 2012, 10:11 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...tial-plus.html
If you can spend 100k a year from business spend,
you get 50k miles extra = worth an easy 750-1000$
Mar 31, 2012, 10:19 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 2P, UC, Hertz 5*, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 513
I've benefited incredibly from this forum and all the people on it, and I want to try and do my part to give back.
The current promotion that is going around is that the United MileagePlus Club Card has a $95 statement credit for the $395 fee. However, I came across an offer for the first year waived.
I stumbled across this an hour ago and have been trying to replicate the exact steps to get the offer to show up. I found another poster who managed to find the same offer as well on the United forum. As far as I know, it's possibly tied to either status with United or having a previous MileagePlus Explorer card. YMMV but see if it works on your end. I started off with a fresh browser and everything logged off (e.g. Chase, United, etc.):
1) Log into your United MileagePlus account via united.com
2) Click on the following link: https://www.theexplorercard.com/MPCl...rce=navigation
I clicked through to the application and there's no explicit mention of the fee waiver, so if applying I fully recommend screen-shotting everything in case an issue does arise. I can only access this link after logging in to United, so I believe this is status linked.
UPDATE: Must have status with United.
The current promotion that is going around is that the United MileagePlus Club Card has a $95 statement credit for the $395 fee. However, I came across an offer for the first year waived.
I stumbled across this an hour ago and have been trying to replicate the exact steps to get the offer to show up. I found another poster who managed to find the same offer as well on the United forum. As far as I know, it's possibly tied to either status with United or having a previous MileagePlus Explorer card. YMMV but see if it works on your end. I started off with a fresh browser and everything logged off (e.g. Chase, United, etc.):
1) Log into your United MileagePlus account via united.com
2) Click on the following link: https://www.theexplorercard.com/MPCl...rce=navigation
I clicked through to the application and there's no explicit mention of the fee waiver, so if applying I fully recommend screen-shotting everything in case an issue does arise. I can only access this link after logging in to United, so I believe this is status linked.
UPDATE: Must have status with United.
It could be worth it, if you go to the Club at least 8 times, especially if you bring a guest in. What is nice about the card is that it basically gives you Silver status (2 Checked Bags, Premier Access) without (bonus miles on flights,upgrades, and waitlisting priority of course) which I have not seen the latter two frequently anyways. Plus E+ is virtually non-existant for Silvers traveling from hub to hub, and hub to spoke.
Last edited by am1108; Mar 31, 2012 at 10:23 pm Reason: Adding Details
Mar 31, 2012, 10:35 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ICT
Programs: AA ExP
Posts: 1,860
Aha, worked for me only after I logged in United.com, logged into Chase, THEN clicked the link in OP.
I'm a 1K with UC membership and the MP Explorer (grr! CO card converted! Idiot not to cancel...) and the old United Select (Which gives 3 mi/$ spent on UA! Love that card!).
ETA: Grrr... Chase's site is down right now. I was going to send an SM to Chase asking for the 60k UA Explorer bonus because they switched me without my permission, plus I'm a loyal customer that spent $50k on the UA card last year and $xxk on Chase cards, etc. I'll let you guys know how it goes when Chase.com comes back up.
I'm a 1K with UC membership and the MP Explorer (grr! CO card converted! Idiot not to cancel...) and the old United Select (Which gives 3 mi/$ spent on UA! Love that card!).
ETA: Grrr... Chase's site is down right now. I was going to send an SM to Chase asking for the 60k UA Explorer bonus because they switched me without my permission, plus I'm a loyal customer that spent $50k on the UA card last year and $xxk on Chase cards, etc. I'll let you guys know how it goes when Chase.com comes back up.
Apr 1, 2012, 9:51 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS (South End)
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, TrueBlue, IHG Plat Amb, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Accor Platinum, National Exec Elite
Posts: 907
Woah...took a bit of fumbling and closing/opening browser windows but it works. I'm a 1K with 2 Chase UA cards, Sapphire Preferred, and literally yesterday signed up for the 80K bonus points IHG Priority Club Visa. Probably will get declined on this one hah. Great find OP!
Last edited by Sterndogg; Apr 1, 2012 at 9:57 am
Apr 1, 2012, 3:41 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 117
Nice find but didn't work for me (don't have status on United). I'll forward it to my friend who's platinum with them though. Thanks!
Apr 1, 2012, 4:16 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ARN
Posts: 1,034
Thank you OP. Great share. Worked for me in Safari...
1) cleared cache
2) logged into United (verified by viewing itinerary)
3) clicked link above
3a) the first time, it re-linked to a generic page
3b) closed that window and clicked again... viola
4) On the application page under annual fee it explicitly states first year free then $395
Awesome! This brightened a dark day in San Diego (it's sunny here, but I just filed taxes)
1) cleared cache
2) logged into United (verified by viewing itinerary)
3) clicked link above
3a) the first time, it re-linked to a generic page
3b) closed that window and clicked again... viola
4) On the application page under annual fee it explicitly states first year free then $395
Awesome! This brightened a dark day in San Diego (it's sunny here, but I just filed taxes)