Originally Posted by
WineCountryUA
but a large number of cardholders -- may not be as insignificant as you think but IME it does not seem to be a common method of entry of those that enter when I do.
the promo code was one method but not the only -- for example many got the offer online from a banner ad on united.com. And numerous bloggers provide a method than was noted here on FT to get the offer (
and some still are getting it).
With the club card, I'm not convinced that it is attracting members who would not already purchase club membership. I look at it as being a club membership with some OK c/card benefits attached.
As for the explorer card - lets say there's a 500,000 card members, none of whom are eligible for entry through other means - that would only add 50 visits / day over entire estate.
I have no great insight, but I'd be surprised if chase have persuaded 500k people to sign up for their c/card, despite the heavy advertising. There's what, 125million households in the USA, so that would be pretty good penetration given the range of (fee free) cards available, never mind competing offering from other airlines.