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 30, 2018, 10:00 pm
#1141
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,923
May 1, 2018, 1:05 pm
#1142
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
May 2, 2018, 8:23 am
#1143
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
May 2, 2018, 9:02 am
#1144
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
I was in the system well before I received my card.
You don’t need your card anyway. They just scan your boarding pass.
You don’t need your card anyway. They just scan your boarding pass.
May 2, 2018, 11:23 am
#1145
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,923
May 2, 2018, 11:28 am
#1146
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
Again, I'm not concerned about getting into United Clubs. I want to be able to access the Star Alliance lounge at LAX next Friday during a 4-hour layover. Based on everything I've read, Star Alliance lounges require the PHYSICAL United Club card as a condition of entry. If the physical card doesn't arrive before next Friday, I will attempt to access the LAX Star Alliance lounge with the digital card in my United app, but I'm worried that they will give me a hard time.
May 2, 2018, 12:07 pm
#1147
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: 10023-Central Park West
Programs: CHASE UNITED CLUB; CITI PRESTIGE； IHG SPIRE AMBASSADOR; RITZ-CARLTON GOLD; Global Entry
Posts: 227
Only if I fly UA planes for UA clubs. I used my boarding passes several hundred times that way.
I don't know about flying other planes for UA clubs. I am almost certain I need the physical card
to get to other star lounges while flying star planes. Something less related, I just came back from ZRH
on SWISS planes and I got in the Senator lounge in ZRH G-wing with the club card. I thought I would only
be entitled to the business lounge. Maybe the girl on the front desk made a mistake.
I don't know about flying other planes for UA clubs. I am almost certain I need the physical card
to get to other star lounges while flying star planes. Something less related, I just came back from ZRH
on SWISS planes and I got in the Senator lounge in ZRH G-wing with the club card. I thought I would only
be entitled to the business lounge. Maybe the girl on the front desk made a mistake.
May 5, 2018, 5:02 pm
#1148
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
Received my actual Club membership card today, almost exactly 3 weeks after approval. Not too bad. At least I'll have it for my upcoming trip.
May 6, 2018, 6:09 am
#1149
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 25
I know I can take 3 weeks to get the card but does anyone know how long it takes for the club membership to appear in your United account? I just signed up and was approved for the card yesterday (Saturday) and am flying tomorrow (Monday). Any chance the club membership will appear in my account by then?
May 6, 2018, 7:57 am
#1150
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,923
I know I can take 3 weeks to get the card but does anyone know how long it takes for the club membership to appear in your United account? I just signed up and was approved for the card yesterday (Saturday) and am flying tomorrow (Monday). Any chance the club membership will appear in my account by then?
May 6, 2018, 10:14 am
#1151
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 611
I know I can take 3 weeks to get the card but does anyone know how long it takes for the club membership to appear in your United account? I just signed up and was approved for the card yesterday (Saturday) and am flying tomorrow (Monday). Any chance the club membership will appear in my account by then?
May 6, 2018, 2:10 pm
#1152
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
I know I can take 3 weeks to get the card but does anyone know how long it takes for the club membership to appear in your United account? I just signed up and was approved for the card yesterday (Saturday) and am flying tomorrow (Monday). Any chance the club membership will appear in my account by then?
May 6, 2018, 2:12 pm
#1153
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 25
Looks like I got lucky! The club pass is already appearing in my United app. That's under 24 hours and over a weekend.. so far I am impressed!
May 7, 2018, 2:41 pm
#1154
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
May 15, 2018, 9:05 am
#1155
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SLC
Programs: United Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 768
I'm booking a cruise for next year using my Club card for payment. Is anyone familiar enough with the insurance associated with the card to tell me if it would be good enough to avoid paying for the travel insurance offered by the cruise line? Thanks.