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?
Feb 29, 2016, 2:55 pm
#901
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,084
There's chatter that on March 26 Chase will offer a Freedom that will earn 1.5x UR on all spend. With that option the points earning value proposition for the club card just took a nosedive
Mar 11, 2016, 6:48 am
#902
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: National EE, Hyatt Discoverist, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 508
United MileagePlus Club Card, 1st Year $395 Annual Fee Waived, Tied to United Status?
I didn't think people put the Club Card in their wallet for the 1.5 miles/$, but rather for the club and Premier Access. Seems like people who have the Freedom (5x quarterly) may want to revaluate more so than the UC cardholders.
Mar 11, 2016, 11:26 am
#903
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Jackson, WY
Posts: 543
If you're succesful at generating points with this card, then you don't have status, or at least I don't. Yet I flew transcon on UA 8-10x last year. So the premier & club access, free bags, and waived close-in booking fees make a massive difference. As much as I can be anti-UA at times, the UA Card, for me, is fantastic.
Mar 14, 2016, 3:53 pm
#904
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
I searched the forum and could not find an appropriate thread for this (mods feel free to move).
What is the timeframe for getting the United club card in the mail (the actual club card, not the cc)?
What is the timeframe for getting the United club card in the mail (the actual club card, not the cc)?
Mar 14, 2016, 7:41 pm
#905
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Plat, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat
Posts: 902
I would assume that like the citi Exec card it will automatically show on you boarding pass so no card needed. But, I don't know for sure and I'm also curious. Will be traveling on united soon and expect approval shortly, got the call today re my application.
Mar 14, 2016, 8:10 pm
#906
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
I'm curious as some of the comments are the need for the actual club card if trying to gain access to *A lounges (I have a trip in April that takes me to CDG and DUB), and was hoping to have the club card before then.
Mar 14, 2016, 9:29 pm
#907
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,084
You should get it by then. the *A Lounges do insist on seeing the card, based on my experience.
Mar 15, 2016, 12:55 pm
#908
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Jackson, WY
Posts: 543
The full UA Club card also shows up in the app, so as soon as UA links it to your account, it should show up on your United App.
Mar 15, 2016, 8:55 pm
#909
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
Mar 21, 2016, 12:10 pm
#910
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Jackson, WY
Posts: 543
One pesky thing about this card is the delay in miles posting. My statement closes on the 20th with Chase. Chase yesterday is showing the miles as earned. United is a no show. I thought this was the case last month, but now it is confirmed. United will eventually show them and if the past is any indication they will show them as posting on the 19th. Just a data point for anyone needing miles ASAP.
Mar 21, 2016, 1:49 pm
#911
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,084
One pesky thing about this card is the delay in miles posting. My statement closes on the 20th with Chase. Chase yesterday is showing the miles as earned. United is a no show. I thought this was the case last month, but now it is confirmed. United will eventually show them and if the past is any indication they will show them as posting on the 19th. Just a data point for anyone needing miles ASAP.
Mar 25, 2016, 8:08 pm
#912
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 205
The club card is obviously aimed at big spenders but the earn rate is eroded by the new Freedom if one uses the club card as I do. I'll have to see how much I value the other bennies as I don't put much value into the club nor do I visit it very often. I suspect that I'll deep-six the club card in 10 months unless something changes between now and then. I don't think that they can go 2x on all spend but perhaps a bonus for 50K in spend might be warranted. Of course, if they don't have many defections, I doubt that anything will be done as probably only 10-20% of the card holders are of a similar mindset as I am.
Mar 25, 2016, 8:10 pm
#913
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 204
So the Chase Freedom card does 2x on United miles and the Club card does 1.5x?
Mar 28, 2016, 9:50 pm
#914
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: VLO
Posts: 233
This link worked for me today: https://www.theexplorercard.com/ClubAFW
My application was auto-accepted online.
I currently have the MileagePlus Explorer and MileagePlus Explorer Business Card.
My application was auto-accepted online.
I currently have the MileagePlus Explorer and MileagePlus Explorer Business Card.
Mar 29, 2016, 12:44 pm
#915
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
What to do?
I am trying decide whether to keep the Club Card or downgrade upon renewal. Can someone give me an idea as to how many more award flights become available to the Club card holder? And another question; As a flyer without status, how much is premier access worth when flying from EWR to different cities in Europe? I have a handle on how much club membership is worth to me and what little 1.5 miles per dollar adds compared to the Explorer Card. Any help is appreciated.