Here is a message from EQLive about getting access to Underfoot a week prior to its commercial release:

The busy gnomes of the EverQuest® team are putting the final touches to the 16th expansion to the EverQuest franchise, Underfoot, and we couldn't be more excited to unveil it to you! In anticipation of this EverQuest milestone, we're rolling out the Road to Underfoot events to give you a taste of what's to come and the opportunity to get there early!

If you participate in all three of the Road to Underfoot events and pre-order and purchase the Underfoot expansion, you'll receive early access into the expansion*! The first event will begin in August, the second event will begin in September and the third event will begin in October. Check RoadToUnderfoot.com for the latest news about each event, new concept art, screenshots and to find out when SOE will start accepting pre-orders!

Giants are the featured event for August!

*Terms and Conditions. Early access is available up to seven days prior to the commercial launch date for the expansion, which date is subject to change. To be eligible for early access to EverQuest Underfoot, consumers must: (i) have a current, valid EverQuest subscription in good standing; (ii) have previously purchased the EverQuest base game and all previous EverQuest expansions (sold separately); (iii) participate in all three Road to Underfoot events with the same character on one account prior to 11:59pm (PST) November 10, 2009 (participation may require completing a task or quest or killing one or more NPCs); and (iv) successfully pre-order and purchase the Underfoot expansion prior to 11:59pm (PST) November 10, 2009. Players who do not satisfy all of the conditions listed above, including participating in all three Road to Underfoot events prior to 11:59pm (PST) on November 10, 2009, will not be eligible for early access to Underfoot, even if they successfully pre-order the expansion prior to November 10, 2009. The scheduled early access date for qualifying EverQuest subscribers is November 17, 2009 and the scheduled commercial release date for EverQuest Underfoot is November 24, 2009.