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 15, 2015, 6:53 pm
#707
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 333
I've seen conflicting reports of this in this thread, in other threads on FT, and in various locations on the internet (many of which were people answering the following question, without having actually done it themselves to confirm)...
Do we know for sure if you can do a product conversion (in this case an "upgrade") from the United Explorer Card to the United Club Card without incurring a hard pull?
Has anyone actually done it to confirm?
I mention the hard pull because on some other sites, there's mention that the "upgrade" incurs a hard pull. Then others say it doesn't (because product conversions typically don't, since they aren't an application for new credit). The others say it does because it's upgrading to a more premium card. Etc. Etc. Etc.
I plan to give this a try myself, but I won't be able to answer this question for me / everyone else here until 13 months later (thanks Credit CARD Act). Was hoping to get this answered sooner than that.
Thanks!
Do we know for sure if you can do a product conversion (in this case an "upgrade") from the United Explorer Card to the United Club Card without incurring a hard pull?
Has anyone actually done it to confirm?
I mention the hard pull because on some other sites, there's mention that the "upgrade" incurs a hard pull. Then others say it doesn't (because product conversions typically don't, since they aren't an application for new credit). The others say it does because it's upgrading to a more premium card. Etc. Etc. Etc.
I plan to give this a try myself, but I won't be able to answer this question for me / everyone else here until 13 months later (thanks Credit CARD Act). Was hoping to get this answered sooner than that.
Thanks!
Jan 15, 2015, 9:12 pm
#708
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA-Gold; Avis-First; Hertz-PC;Marriott-Plat;
Posts: 28
While they won't do a hard pull, you won't get the sign up offerings like the 100.00 USD statement credit nor the 395.00 USD annual fee waived for the first year. How do I know this? Because I called Chase on my United Explorer card before applying for the MileagePlus Club Card separately (which I did and now have both but am closing the Explorer card at annual fee billing time since I'm more than six months from the time I was billed the 95 bucks in 2014 which means it's 100% non refundable now).
So, for the sign up offerings on the Club Card, you'll want to apply for it as a new card, given your credit worthiness is there, of course.
Makes better sense?
So, for the sign up offerings on the Club Card, you'll want to apply for it as a new card, given your credit worthiness is there, of course.
Makes better sense?
Jan 15, 2015, 9:35 pm
#709
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA-Gold; Avis-First; Hertz-PC;Marriott-Plat;
Posts: 28
Resolution for me to be determined since it takes 3-5 days for whomever to approve the Five Star status (based on what's stated on the link after submitting). Will see what pans out then escalate to fix since no one at Hertz/United/Chase seems to know what to do in my situation with this new partner offering.
Jan 15, 2015, 10:31 pm
#710
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 333
While they won't do a hard pull, you won't get the sign up offerings like the 100.00 USD statement credit nor the 395.00 USD annual fee waived for the first year. How do I know this? Because I called Chase on my United Explorer card before applying for the MileagePlus Club Card separately (which I did and now have both but am closing the Explorer card at annual fee billing time since I'm more than six months from the time I was billed the 95 bucks in 2014 which means it's 100% non refundable now).
So, for the sign up offerings on the Club Card, you'll want to apply for it as a new card, given your credit worthiness is there, of course.
Makes better sense?
So, for the sign up offerings on the Club Card, you'll want to apply for it as a new card, given your credit worthiness is there, of course.
Makes better sense?
I'm less worried about the statement credit, or the annual fee waiver (I never seem to qualify for that offer when I check my MileagePlus account), though. I'm more interested in the card since it technically offers discounted club membership, and I do like the 1.5 miles per dollar spent everywhere.
Unfortunately, do you actually have confirmation that they won't do a hard pull if you upgrade? Since you ended up not upgrading...?
Thanks.
Jan 16, 2015, 5:08 am
#711
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA-Gold; Avis-First; Hertz-PC;Marriott-Plat;
Posts: 28
Well, she (Chase lady I spoke to) said they don't need to do a hard pull for the upgrade but you can confirm when you call just to make sure. I'm thinking they'll ask your permission if they need to but she told me that an upgrade doesn't require one. Let me know what they tell you and how ya made out. ;^>
Jan 16, 2015, 6:50 am
#712
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: RSW
Programs: Hyatt Plat,SPG-Plat,Hertz-PC
Posts: 161
Indeed, it does.
I'm less worried about the statement credit, or the annual fee waiver (I never seem to qualify for that offer when I check my MileagePlus account), though. I'm more interested in the card since it technically offers discounted club membership, and I do like the 1.5 miles per dollar spent everywhere.
Unfortunately, do you actually have confirmation that they won't do a hard pull if you upgrade? Since you ended up not upgrading...?
Thanks.
I'm less worried about the statement credit, or the annual fee waiver (I never seem to qualify for that offer when I check my MileagePlus account), though. I'm more interested in the card since it technically offers discounted club membership, and I do like the 1.5 miles per dollar spent everywhere.
Unfortunately, do you actually have confirmation that they won't do a hard pull if you upgrade? Since you ended up not upgrading...?
Thanks.
Jan 16, 2015, 6:07 pm
#713
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 333
Well, she (Chase lady I spoke to) said they don't need to do a hard pull for the upgrade but you can confirm when you call just to make sure. I'm thinking they'll ask your permission if they need to but she told me that an upgrade doesn't require one. Let me know what they tell you and how ya made out. ;^>
Second, did you simply just ask to get it waived? Or did they offer?
Jan 24, 2015, 12:12 pm
#714
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA MP Club (no status)
Posts: 152
I received a snail mail offer on Saturday. First year fee-free. It has a link to www.united.com/2014clubfree. The website requires login and appears to be targeted.
Just for the data point I fly United once every 5 years, have a Chase Freedom that I only use for category spend. I also have an AMEX Platinum along with several others cards from other banks, a mortgage etc. Pretty random offer.
Just for the data point I fly United once every 5 years, have a Chase Freedom that I only use for category spend. I also have an AMEX Platinum along with several others cards from other banks, a mortgage etc. Pretty random offer.
Jan 25, 2015, 6:43 am
#715
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Titanium and LTP, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 786
Jan 25, 2015, 10:08 am
#716
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
I've created a wiki collecting the info from recent posts, post #1, and my own experience in coaxing the UA website to cough up the first-year-free offer
Jan 26, 2015, 6:50 am
#717
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA MP Club (no status)
Posts: 152
Jan 26, 2015, 9:01 am
#718
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA-Gold; Avis-First; Hertz-PC;Marriott-Plat;
Posts: 28
Yes. Hyatt Plat status is included.
Jan 26, 2015, 10:56 am
#719
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,628
Jan 26, 2015, 12:25 pm
#720
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA-Gold; Avis-First; Hertz-PC;Marriott-Plat;
Posts: 28