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?
#676
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,628
The lack of EMV on the UA Club card is inexcusable, IMO, considering they announced when it was first introduced (in 2012, IIRC) that they would give it an EMV chip.
#677
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 836
I agree with LetterBoy.
The United Club Card is a "Leading" and "High End" card that has a lot of great benefits. I would have thought it, along with the Saphire cards, would have been some of the first cards to have the EMV chip.
With the 1.5 miles on all purchases and no foreign transaction fees, I especially like to use it while overseas, but the AA Executive card offers no foreign transaction fees and has the EMV, so I'm forced to use it more often (and I miss out on the 1.5 miles per dollar).
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has the Club card and basically put it in their wallets traveling abroad now, which is a shame that Chase would pass up this revenue.
The United Club Card is a "Leading" and "High End" card that has a lot of great benefits. I would have thought it, along with the Saphire cards, would have been some of the first cards to have the EMV chip.
With the 1.5 miles on all purchases and no foreign transaction fees, I especially like to use it while overseas, but the AA Executive card offers no foreign transaction fees and has the EMV, so I'm forced to use it more often (and I miss out on the 1.5 miles per dollar).
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has the Club card and basically put it in their wallets traveling abroad now, which is a shame that Chase would pass up this revenue.
#678
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAN, FNT, GRR, DTW
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 346
For years I have asked them to put the chip in the presidential plus card to no avail. I am told that this has to be negotiated with united and clearly those negotiations have not gone well.
#679
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,628
The other thing I don't get about the UA Club card is the lack a a sign-up bonus, at least in terms of miles. Even DL gives you some SkyPesos for their AmEx Reserve card.
#680
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 836
I don't think United would care one bit whether or not there is a chip in the card. Eventually (next year?) it will be mandatory by law I believe, but it seems like Chase would want to prevent fraud sooner than that.
Yes, you would think that for an annual fee of $395, they could toss a crap ton of sign up bonus miles at you.
Yes, you would think that for an annual fee of $395, they could toss a crap ton of sign up bonus miles at you.
#681
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,628
I don't think they need to "toss a crap ton of sign up bonus miles at you," but for $395 they ought to give you at least, say, 10,000.
Last edited by LETTERBOY; Jul 4, 2014 at 11:54 pm Reason: typo
#682
formerly sahiljain22
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: BOS;NYC;YVR;YYZ;DEL;BOM
Programs: Amex Plat; HH Diamond; SPG Plat; Hyatt Diamond; United 1K; National EE; HSBC Premier
Posts: 532
I used to get $75 close in fees charged to family member's account while there was a UCC and a explorer card associated with it. Had to call and fight everytime.
#683
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAN, FNT, GRR, DTW
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 346
If anything, I think United would want the card to have a chip, if that makes it more likely people will use it overseas. You'd think Chase would want it to have a chip for that reason, too. I can't figure out why they put an EMV chip on the Freedom card (which people may be less likely to use overseas, since it has an FTF), but not the UA Club card (or the Explorer card, either). Not that I'm complaining about the Freedom having a chip - the more cards with chips, the better, IMO.
I don't think they need to "toss a crap ton of sign up bonus miles at you," but for $395 they ought to give you at least, say, 10,000.
I don't think they need to "toss a crap ton of sign up bonus miles at you," but for $395 they ought to give you at least, say, 10,000.
I agree that they should want it but I am telling you that multiple chase agents have told me that this is something that chase cannot do to the card by itself and had to work with united. Perhaps it was being held up over other things and being used as a bargaining chip - who knows.
#684
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
Anyone have issue with being charged close in booking fees? i am...
I got this card primarily for the waived close in booking fees. Both times I have used this (on UA flights), I have been charged the $75 fee. Has this happened to anyone else, and, if so, do you know how they fixed it?
United agents have no idea why it's being charged and, after 5 minutes on hold, issue a refund to my Chase Club Card that I used for the $5.60 fee. All confirm screens thru ticketing process do NOT show the fee- it only shows in the final ticketed email. Oddly, even that recognizes my Club Card baggage benefit.
The reason it's an issue is, I learned from this thread that the close in $75 fee is not charged on any flights, even partner, when booked online- which is what I got it for mostly. Obviously, if I have to call in to reverse it, they'll see that it's supposed to only be UA flights. Ergo, I want to fix this but nobody I've talked to @ UA knows what's wrong.
Anyone else?...
United agents have no idea why it's being charged and, after 5 minutes on hold, issue a refund to my Chase Club Card that I used for the $5.60 fee. All confirm screens thru ticketing process do NOT show the fee- it only shows in the final ticketed email. Oddly, even that recognizes my Club Card baggage benefit.
The reason it's an issue is, I learned from this thread that the close in $75 fee is not charged on any flights, even partner, when booked online- which is what I got it for mostly. Obviously, if I have to call in to reverse it, they'll see that it's supposed to only be UA flights. Ergo, I want to fix this but nobody I've talked to @ UA knows what's wrong.
Anyone else?...
#685
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FL
Programs: AA PLAT, HILTON DIAMOND, MARRIOTT LIFETIME TITANIUM
Posts: 616
add additional card holder
If I add my friend as an additional card holder on my Chase United Club credit card, will he be able to access the United Clubs when he flies on United? Thank you for your help and time in helping me answer this question.
#687
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 67
Just got this offer for no first year fee. Two questions if anyone can help me out?
1) Does the United Club membership give access to a travel companion on the same reservation? Is there a fee?
2) Does star alliance lounge access require a star alliance ticket? Does my travel companion on the same reservation get access to a star alliance lounge?
Also, how long does it take to get the Club Card? I know the terms say 6 weeks. I am planning a vacation for last week of october. If I apply today, any chance I'll get it in time?
1) Does the United Club membership give access to a travel companion on the same reservation? Is there a fee?
2) Does star alliance lounge access require a star alliance ticket? Does my travel companion on the same reservation get access to a star alliance lounge?
Also, how long does it take to get the Club Card? I know the terms say 6 weeks. I am planning a vacation for last week of october. If I apply today, any chance I'll get it in time?
Last edited by MDtR-Chicago; Oct 7, 2014 at 9:04 pm Reason: merge consecutive posts
#688
Formerly known as James Flannery
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alameda CA
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Platinum, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 30
#689
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,949
I applied and was approved for an ink+ card this morning. I also have one open Marriott card that I've had for several years. Prior to the ink application today, it's been over a year since I've applied for any other Chase card.
I received a targeted offer for a first year fee-waived Chase UAL Club Card. I did have this card when it first came out under a fee waiver, but cancelled it after a year once the fee posted. If I apply for the Club Card, would my chances of being approved be reduced given that I was just approved for the Ink+ card today?
Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.
I received a targeted offer for a first year fee-waived Chase UAL Club Card. I did have this card when it first came out under a fee waiver, but cancelled it after a year once the fee posted. If I apply for the Club Card, would my chances of being approved be reduced given that I was just approved for the Ink+ card today?
Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.
#690
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago 'burbs
Programs: UA 2P, HHonors Diamond, Hertz Gold
Posts: 873
Any recent updates on getting this without the first year fee? Looks like some more extensive family travel this year so it might be worth getting for lounge access.