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 12, 2018, 8:05 pm
#1126
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 611
As a data point, I applied on a Sunday night with instant approval. Today I entered the club around 2pm (maybe 18 hours, and less than a business day), fully expecting them to say my membership wasn't yet active. However, I scanned my boarding pass and sure enough it accepted me. So this can be very quick.
Also, I noticed in my account that the membership expiration date is actually 15 months from when I applied, not just 12 months!
Also, I noticed in my account that the membership expiration date is actually 15 months from when I applied, not just 12 months!
Feb 20, 2018, 12:17 pm
#1127
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 19
Upgrade and then downgrade
I have a trip coming up and want to use the lounge in ORD. I have the no annual fee United credit card from Chase. Can I upgrade that to United Club card, pay $450 annual fee, downgrade again to get the prorated annual fee refund after the trip?
Feb 21, 2018, 5:04 am
#1128
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: UA 1K - 2.1MM, HH LT Diamond, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 766
As a data point, I applied on a Sunday night with instant approval. Today I entered the club around 2pm (maybe 18 hours, and less than a business day), fully expecting them to say my membership wasn't yet active. However, I scanned my boarding pass and sure enough it accepted me. So this can be very quick.
Also, I noticed in my account that the membership expiration date is actually 15 months from when I applied, not just 12 months!
Also, I noticed in my account that the membership expiration date is actually 15 months from when I applied, not just 12 months!
Feb 26, 2018, 9:35 pm
#1129
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: United Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 72
About 2.5 years ago, I took advantage of the 1-year annual fee waiver offer. Can I take advantage of the offer again?
Mar 9, 2018, 9:04 am
#1130
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 43
I let my paid UA club membership expire end of December due to being unhappy with lack of 2017 UC open in C-concourse at ORD and the main EWR UC closing in the fall for a Polaris makeover. But I took the offer....signed up on a Tuesday night had the card via FEDEX on Thursday (march 1) with UC membership valid till 5/31/2019. Membership showed up on my UA MP account in a couple of days so nice integration by CHASE and UA.
Mar 9, 2018, 9:21 am
#1131
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
I let my paid UA club membership expire end of December due to being unhappy with lack of 2017 UC open in C-concourse at ORD and the main EWR UC closing in the fall for a Polaris makeover. But I took the offer....signed up on a Tuesday night had the card via FEDEX on Thursday (march 1) with UC membership valid till 5/31/2019. Membership showed up on my UA MP account in a couple of days so nice integration by CHASE and UA.
Apr 26, 2018, 12:04 pm
#1133
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
Data point: .Was targeted for a AF waived club card for 1 year with no sign up bonus, however I would prefer to get 50k miles and pay the $450 with the public offer.
Apr 26, 2018, 2:00 pm
#1134
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
How long should it take to have the bonus miles deposited after meeting the three month spend requirement? I had about $6k on the card within a week. That was over a month ago. No miles deposited yet.
Apr 26, 2018, 2:01 pm
#1135
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 611
You get the credit for them after you paid that amount via statement, not just pit it on the card. Mine was pretty quick, definitely within a month after paying.
Apr 26, 2018, 2:18 pm
#1136
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
Hopefully, it’ll be deposited soon.
UPDATE: Within moments of posting the above, I rechecked my account and the miles have been deposited.!
Last edited by Kensterfly; Apr 26, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Apr 26, 2018, 3:25 pm
#1137
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, UA Million Miler Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,142
While it seems like a pretty good deal to get the UC for free for a year I have a hard time burning up a "5/24" spot to hold this card. Already have the Freedom, Freedom Unlimited and CSR. Getting a better return there and can still move to United at a better transfer rate if I want to go that route
Apr 30, 2018, 6:06 pm
#1138
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
Does anyone know how long it usually takes for the actual Club membership card to arrive? I was approved on April 16. Received credit card April 18. Hoping to have the membership card by the end of next week so I can access partner lounges. Reading through the fine print on the application, it says it will take 6 weeks for the membership card to arrive. Does it really take that long? Wish I would have noticed that language sooner.
If it doesn't arrive, what are the chances that partner lounges will grant me access? In particular, I was hoping to access the LAX Star Alliance lounge due to a long layover. Do United Clubs print out temporary cards that might increase my chances of getting into partner lounges?
If it doesn't arrive, what are the chances that partner lounges will grant me access? In particular, I was hoping to access the LAX Star Alliance lounge due to a long layover. Do United Clubs print out temporary cards that might increase my chances of getting into partner lounges?
Apr 30, 2018, 7:01 pm
#1139
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
Does anyone know how long it usually takes for the actual Club membership card to arrive? I was approved on April 16. Received credit card April 18. Hoping to have the membership card by the end of next week so I can access partner lounges. Reading through the fine print on the application, it says it will take 6 weeks for the membership card to arrive. Does it really take that long? Wish I would have noticed that language sooner.
If it doesn't arrive, what are the chances that partner lounges will grant me access? In particular, I was hoping to access the LAX Star Alliance lounge due to a long layover. Do United Clubs print out temporary cards that might increase my chances of getting into partner lounges?
If it doesn't arrive, what are the chances that partner lounges will grant me access? In particular, I was hoping to access the LAX Star Alliance lounge due to a long layover. Do United Clubs print out temporary cards that might increase my chances of getting into partner lounges?
Apr 30, 2018, 7:15 pm
#1140
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
Yeah, it shows up on the app and United.com shows that I'm a Club member. Not worried about getting into United Clubs as I know they can just scan the barcode on the app. My concern is being able to get into Star Alliance and partner lounges. I've read that most partner lounges absolutely require the physical membership card for entry. Might be able to show the digital card and plead my case, but I'd rather have the physical card.