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 1, 2012, 8:44 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2
United MileagePlus Club Card, 1st Year $395 Annual Fee Waived
I was in the United Club at SFO on March 31. They had brochures at the United Club ticketing counter with the 1st Year $395 Annual Fee Waived Offer if you use the personal invitation code inside the brochure and apply for the card by May 31, 2012.
Apr 1, 2012, 11:49 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, SPG Platinum, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 32
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)
Apr 2, 2012, 1:52 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
I had to do it two times, but I got the offer. The first time was the Explorer card, which I already have 2 of, since they converted my CO card to Explorer.
I doubt I'd get approved if I applied, since I have 4 Chase cards right now.
I doubt I'd get approved if I applied, since I have 4 Chase cards right now.
Apr 2, 2012, 6:28 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: LAX
Posts: 2,851
I doubt I'd get approved if I applied, since I have 4 Chase cards right now.[/QUOTE]
I have 6 personal and 1 biz Chase Cards.....I think it has to do with how often you apply and your credit and relationship history with Chase.
I have 6 personal and 1 biz Chase Cards.....I think it has to do with how often you apply and your credit and relationship history with Chase.
Apr 2, 2012, 8:31 am
#20
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
I have 6 personal and 1 biz Chase Cards.....I think it has to do with how often you apply and your credit and relationship history with Chase.[/QUOTE]
Applied for the Chase IHG Priority Club 80K points promo on Friday and the Club card yesterday...immediately approved for the IHG card but the Club card is pending...probably will get declined as I already have two UA cards and two months ago month signed up for the Chase Sapphire 50K promo.
Apr 2, 2012, 8:48 am
#21
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 2,842
I had to be logged into UA and Chase for it to appear. Now the wrinkle for me is that I want to upgrade my Explorer Card to the Club card and still get the annual fee waived.
Apr 2, 2012, 8:54 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Gold + 1MM; HHonors Gold; Marriott Plat
Posts: 747
This works for me. I am debating whether I want this though. With my current travel load (low this year), I am waiting for the explorer card sign up bonus to go up. Does anyone think they will give 75k miles or higher?
Apr 2, 2012, 9:27 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,277
Instantly approved for me. 7-10 days for Sapphire Preferred. Gonna call the reconsideration line tomorrow. Edit: Painless approval of the SP as well. Now I gotta calm down with cc apps for a while.
Thanks, OP!
Thanks, OP!
Last edited by penner42; Apr 3, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Apr 3, 2012, 1:02 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 31
Thanks so much, OP!
I already have Premier status and just got the Explorer card a couple months ago (plus the Marriott and Priority Club cards late last year), but I guess it can't hurt [much] to apply since I do plan to travel United a fair amount this year. Given the delays I've had to endure so far this year alone it would be nice to be able to check out the lounge.
I already have Premier status and just got the Explorer card a couple months ago (plus the Marriott and Priority Club cards late last year), but I guess it can't hurt [much] to apply since I do plan to travel United a fair amount this year. Given the delays I've had to endure so far this year alone it would be nice to be able to check out the lounge.
Apr 4, 2012, 12:07 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: United
Posts: 128
This worked
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
Apr 4, 2012, 9:22 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 76
Thanks OP! Worked for me exactly as in the last post.
Apr 4, 2012, 9:37 am
#27
formerly wunderpit
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ONT-SNA-LAX
Programs: UA1K-HHDiamond
Posts: 1,339
I logged out of UA. Emptied cache. Logged into Chase, then UA. DIDN't work. Logged out of both, then logged into UA. Worked!
Apr 4, 2012, 9:44 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston
Programs: UA
Posts: 289
Can anyone confirm if this offer is only eligible to United elites? Any non-Elites able to get the annual fee waived?
Apr 4, 2012, 11:06 am
#29
formerly wunderpit
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ONT-SNA-LAX
Programs: UA1K-HHDiamond
Posts: 1,339
Apr 4, 2012, 6:42 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,277
Received the card today. Called to activate, and let the agent go over the benefits with me. He said I'll get 10k miles after my first purchase. I didn't see that benefit in any of the stuff on the application or that I received in the mail, but it's a nice bonus. 
Also asked about authorized users and club access. He said it was tied to the MP # not the credit card, so if they're not traveling with the primary card holder, no access.
Also asked about authorized users and club access. He said it was tied to the MP # not the credit card, so if they're not traveling with the primary card holder, no access.
Last edited by penner42; Apr 4, 2012 at 7:00 pm