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?
Jan 31, 2015, 5:41 pm
#737
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: DL Diamond, AS MVP Gold 75k, AA Platinum, SPG/Marriott Platinum
Posts: 93
The link worked for me too, perfect time to ditch my BA Visa for this one, especially with zero fee- thanks for sharing! 
Clicked on the https://www.theexplorercard.com/ClubAFW link - asked me to enter my united info and got the $0 1st year offer.
Took less than 5 minutes to apply and got instant approval.
Feb4, how long did it take for your card/kit to arrive after you applied.
Took less than 5 minutes to apply and got instant approval.
Feb4, how long did it take for your card/kit to arrive after you applied.
Feb 1, 2015, 9:47 am
#738
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA MP Club (no status)
Posts: 152
Yes to the first question. Not sure about the second since I haven't encountered this fee yet.
totally forgot about it.
Feb 1, 2015, 12:01 pm
#739
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SGN
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Delta Plat
Posts: 84
Feb 3, 2015, 4:34 pm
#740
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 26
I asked Chase about converting an Explorer card to the Club card. I am indeed eligible as my card has been opened 8 months. (I believe the card has to be 6 months old, as others have reported.) When I asked about the annual fee via Secure Message, this was the response:
"The $395.00 annual fee for the new product will post within the next 6 billing cycles following the product change."
Some have reported a full year with no AF, so perhaps the rep was being conservative. Regardless, I'll probably convert and re-evaluate my lounge needs once the AF hits.
"The $395.00 annual fee for the new product will post within the next 6 billing cycles following the product change."
Some have reported a full year with no AF, so perhaps the rep was being conservative. Regardless, I'll probably convert and re-evaluate my lounge needs once the AF hits.
Feb 3, 2015, 4:40 pm
#741
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 333
I asked Chase about converting an Explorer card to the Club card. I am indeed eligible as my card has been opened 8 months. (I believe the card has to be 6 months old, as others have reported.) When I asked about the annual fee via Secure Message, this was the response:
"The $395.00 annual fee for the new product will post within the next 6 billing cycles following the product change."
Some have reported a full year with no AF, so perhaps the rep was being conservative. Regardless, I'll probably convert and re-evaluate my lounge needs once the AF hits.
"The $395.00 annual fee for the new product will post within the next 6 billing cycles following the product change."
Some have reported a full year with no AF, so perhaps the rep was being conservative. Regardless, I'll probably convert and re-evaluate my lounge needs once the AF hits.
Feb 3, 2015, 6:35 pm
#742
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,628
When I asked Chase if it was possible to upgrade, I was told it was 12 months. It was a quite a while ago when I asked, however, so maybe they changed the rules.
Last edited by LETTERBOY; Feb 3, 2015 at 6:35 pm Reason: punctuation
Feb 4, 2015, 10:04 am
#744
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IAH
Posts: 362
Feb 4, 2015, 10:09 am
#745
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,628
Asked Chase again this morning, and was again told 12 months.
Feb 6, 2015, 1:29 pm
#746
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 53
Data point:
I'm United Gold, this link worked for me: http://www.united.com/2014clubfree
Confirmed the T&C and printed a copy as an insurance policy.
I believe it also worked when I was silver last year, too.
My strategy is to use this free for a year, since I received no retention offer on my Explorer card once the annual fee hit.
I'm United Gold, this link worked for me: http://www.united.com/2014clubfree
Confirmed the T&C and printed a copy as an insurance policy.
I believe it also worked when I was silver last year, too.
My strategy is to use this free for a year, since I received no retention offer on my Explorer card once the annual fee hit.
Feb 23, 2015, 7:40 pm
#747
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 275
United MileagePlus Club free first year.
Just received an offer in the mail for United FFP members to sign up for the card waiving the first year membership fee. I think this is the first time I hear the annual fee for this card to be waived. It is a targeted offer requiring you to sign in with your MileagePlus credentials. No additional bonus though.
Feb 24, 2015, 11:39 am
#748
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA 2MM, Bonvoy LT Plt, Mets fan
Posts: 5,073
Mrs. CO FF got the offer in the mail last week -- she was Silver last year, but didn't requalify. She's going to take it, because it gets her out of the minimum spend requirement and we have 50k EQMs of *A travel coming up this year...
Feb 24, 2015, 3:33 pm
#749
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
I haven't applied yet, but the offer is available to me. No UA status of any kind, had a couple of flights last year on UA.
Feb 28, 2015, 2:24 pm
#750
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 16
Offer not available for me with either of the links, redirects to https://www.theexplorercard.com/Club100SC
Didn't fly united last year and don't have status with them, though do have 2 upcoming award trips booked :P
Didn't fly united last year and don't have status with them, though do have 2 upcoming award trips booked :P