Planning a trip with United Airlines and wondering, “How Much Is It To Check A Bag On United?” Understanding United Airlines’ baggage fees is crucial for budgeting your travel expenses. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of United’s checked baggage policy, including costs, weight and size restrictions, and ways to potentially avoid these fees.
United Airlines Baggage Policy: Key Takeaways
- Checked bag fees on United vary based on your route, class of service, and MileagePlus status.
- Expect to pay around $35 for your first checked bag, with increasing costs for additional bags.
- Prepaying for your baggage online can save you $5 per bag.
- United MileagePlus Premier members and certain United credit cardholders enjoy complimentary checked bags.
United Airlines Carry-On Allowance
United Airlines offers a standard carry-on allowance, but it’s important to understand the restrictions:
- Personal Item: Free (17 x 10 x 9 inches / 43 x 25 x 22 centimeters)
- Standard Carry-on Bag:
- Standard Economy: Free (22 x 14 x 9 inches / 56 x 35 x 23 centimeters)
- Basic Economy: No bag included (exceptions apply for certain international routes)
Alt text: United Airlines carry-on size dimensions, including personal item and standard carry-on bag.
Important Note for Basic Economy Passengers: If you bring a full-sized carry-on to the gate while flying basic economy (and not on a route where it’s included), you’ll be required to check it and pay the applicable checked bag fee plus a $25 gate handling charge. This fee is waived if you are a Premier member, a qualifying MileagePlus credit cardholder, or a Star Alliance Gold member.
Stroller and Car Seat Policy: United allows passengers to check one car seat and one stroller or folding wagon per child free of charge, either at the ticket counter or gate. Larger strollers or non-folding wagons must be checked at the ticket counter.
United Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance: How Much Will it Cost?
All checked bags on United must adhere to specific size and weight restrictions:
- Weight Limit: 50 pounds (23 kilograms) for Economy and Premium Economy fares; 70 pounds (32 kilograms) for Business, First, and Polaris fares.
- Size Limit: Maximum linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 centimeters) (length + width + depth).
To accurately determine “how much is it to check a bag on United” for your specific itinerary, United recommends using their official baggage fee calculator.
However, based on common routes, you can expect the following fees:
| Route | Economy (Basic, Plus, and Full) | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic U.S. and Canada, Central America (Excluding El Salvador, Panama), Caribbean (Excluding Cuba) | First bag: $35 ($40 for Canada) Second bag: $45 ($50 for Canada) 3 or more bags: $150 ($200 for Canada) | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $150 ($200 for Canada) | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $150 ($200 for Canada) | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $150 ($200 for Canada) |
| U.S. to/From Australia and New Zealand | First bag: FREE Second bag: $100 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 |
| U.S. to/From Cuba | First bag: $30 Second bag: $100 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE |
| U.S. to/From East Asia (Excluding China) | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE ($100 in Basic Economy) 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 |
| U.S. to/From China | First bag: FREE ($75 in Basic Economy) Second bag: $100 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 |
| U.S. to/From El Salvador | First Bag: FREE ($35 Basic Economy) Second Bag: $45 3+ Bags: $200 | First Bag: FREE Second Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $200 | First Bag: FREE Second Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $200 | First Bag: FREE Second Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $200 |
| U.S. to/From Europe | First bag: FREE ($75 in Basic Economy) Second bag: $100 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 |
| U.S. to/From the Middle East | First bag: FREE ($75 in Basic Economy) Second bag: $100 (FREE for Dubai) 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $200 |
| U.S. to/From India | First bag: FREE ($75 in Basic Economy) Second bag: $200 3 or more bags: $300 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $300 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $300 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $300 |
| U.S. to/From Panama | First bag: FREE ($35 in Basic Economy) Second bag: $45 3 or more bags: $150 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $150 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $150 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $150 |
| U.S. to/From South America | First bag: $0 to $30 ($45 to $70 in Basic Economy) Second bag: $40 to $100 3 or more bags: $150 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $150 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $150 | First bag: FREE Second bag: FREE 3 or more bags: $150 |
Save Money by Prepaying: For many routes, United charges $5 more per bag if you pay at the airport compared to prepaying online.
United Airlines Additional and Excess Baggage Fees
Beyond standard checked baggage, be aware of potential excess baggage fees:
| Route | Oversized Bags 63 to 115 Linear Inches | Overweight Bags 51 to 70 Pounds | Overweight Bags 71 to 100 Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic U.S. and Canada | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| U.S. to/From the Caribbean (Excluding Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cuba) | $200 | $200 | $400 |
| U.S. to/From Central America (Excluding Mexico and El Salvador) | $200 | $200 | $400 |
| U.S. to/From Cuba (Except Havana) | $200 | $200 | $400 |
| U.S. to/From East Asia | $200 | $200 | $400 |
| U.S. to/From Australia and New Zealand | $200 | $200 | N/A |
| U.S. to/From El Salvador | $300 | $300 | $500 |
| U.S. to/From Europe, the Middle East (Excluding Israel), or South Africa | $200 | $200 | N/A |
| U.S. to/From India | $300 | $300 | $400 |
| U.S. to/From Mexico | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| U.S. to/From Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| U.S. to/From South America | $200 | $200 | $400 |
For special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.), refer to United’s policy.
How to Potentially Avoid United Airlines Baggage Fees
There are several ways to avoid paying for checked bags on United:
- United MileagePlus Premier Status: Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 1K members receive complimentary checked bags. The number of free bags and the weight allowance depend on your status and route.
Alt text: United Airlines Premier member baggage allowances for US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands flights.
- Travel Companions: Travel companions of MileagePlus Premier members on the same reservation receive the same baggage exemptions.
- Star Alliance Gold Status: Star Alliance Gold members also receive free checked bags.
- Active U.S. Military Personnel: Active military personnel receive free checked bags.
- United Co-Branded Credit Cards: Several United credit cards waive checked baggage fees for the cardholder and often a companion.
Alt text: United credit cards that offer free checked bag benefits, including United Club Business Card, United Club Card, United Quest Card, and United Business Card.
Can I Prepay for Baggage on United?
Yes, United Airlines allows passengers to prepay for luggage online or via the mobile app, saving you money compared to paying at the airport.
Conclusion
Understanding “how much is it to check a bag on United” is essential for stress-free travel. By familiarizing yourself with United’s baggage policies, weight and size restrictions, and strategies for avoiding fees, you can optimize your travel budget and enjoy a smoother journey. Remember to use United’s baggage fee calculator for the most accurate estimate based on your specific itinerary.
