United Airlines Baggage Policy: What You Need to Know Before You Fly
United Airlines has quite a basic yet flexible policy regarding baggage allowance. If you plan to travel with United Airlines anytime soon, you must know about the United Airlines Baggage Policy before packing your stuff. However, if you went a little overboard with your luggage, you need to pay an additional fee to the airline. Thus, we will describe all the related information about the United Airlines Baggage Policy.
Related Policy
Rules & Regulations of United Airlines Baggage Policy
Usually, United Airlines have three types of luggage: Carry-On, Checked, and excess baggage. But you need to be aware of some of the limitations that come with it. The rules may depend on factors such as fare type, your destination, and many more.
Keep these things in mind before making your reservation;-
- Make sure to check your baggage before your check-in deadline.
- Passengers can bring their oversized baggage, but it should be within the given limit by the airline.
- And, if you want to travel with a pet, you need to ask the airline for their permission.
- Passengers can only bring one carry-on bag and one personal item for free.
- Keep in mind your luggage must stay within the given baggage limitations.
- If you are a basic economy ticket holder, there’s bad news. You cannot bring carry-on baggage.
- However, if you carry an extra bag, you must pay an additional fee charged by the airline.
United Airlines Carry-On Baggage Policy
Per the United Airlines Baggage Policy, passengers can bring at least two bags as their carry-on baggage. You can travel on Board with your one personal item if you hold basic economy flight tickets. However, there will be no carry-on baggage fee if you pack your luggage by the given baggage limit. If you have a basic economy ticket, you must pay a baggage fee of $25 only if you carry a full-size bag.
Therefore, the airline also allows the passengers to carry musical equipment as their carry-on baggage, such as flutes, violins, and drums. But, you must be able to keep it in the overhead space or below your seat.
Lastly, if you are traveling with infants, you can bring a child seat and diaper bag for free as your carry-on items.
Checked Baggage Allowance
The Passengers can bring two bags for free as their checked baggage, depending on their ticket type. Remember that the checked baggage size must be at most 62 inches. However, the checked baggage weight limit depends on your booking class and fare type.
However, the fee for the first and second bags are respectively between $35 & $45. Bonus point, if you are a premium member, cause you can carry at least two bags without paying any baggage fee. The best part is that you can keep your pets in a carrier which is considered a piece of checked baggage according to the United Airlines Baggage Policy. The passengers can bring sports and musical items as their checked baggage too.
United Airlines Baggage Policy Allowance
There’s no lie when we say, just like any other airline, United Airlines’ size and weight of the baggage depends on various situations such as your booking, class, and destination. Here is the complete overview of how much you can bring on Board while traveling with United Airlines;-
| For Carry on Bag | For Checked Bag | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Carry on | Personal Item | ||
Baggage Dimensions | The carry-on baggage must not exceed from 9 X 14 X 22 inches | Item must not exceed from 9 X 10 X 17 inches | All the items must not surpass 23 X 14 X 35 cm |
Weight Allowance | Your baggage weight must be within 23 Kg or 50 Pounds | Same as above | Only allowed to bring baggage weighing 50-70 Pounds |
Like the carry and checked baggage policy, the airline also has domestic and international baggage policies.
United Airlines Domestic Baggage Policy
According to the United Airlines Baggage Policy, passengers can only have a certain number of checked bags for free. The fee for each bag may differ.
- The first bag will cost you around $35
- Whereas, for the Second Bag, you will have to pay at least $45
- As for the Third Bag, you need to pay $150
- Keep in mind the checked baggage weight and size limitation can differ depending on various reasons such as your ticket type and destination.
- For all the Economy Class passengers, they can only bring 23 kg
- Whereas first-class passengers can bring 32 kg
- For Business Class passengers, they can only bring 32 Kgs
- The Polaris First Class members can bring baggage weighing between 32 Kgs and 70 lbs
- Polaris Business Class can bring only 32 kg
United Airlines International Baggage Policy Limits
According to the United Airlines Baggage Policy, passengers can bring at least two or three bags on their international flight. Usually, the first bag is free, but you must pay for the second and third bag. The fee can go from $100 to $200. As for the checked baggage, the passengers can bring at least 50 pounds. Therefore, the passengers must remember to stay within the given weight limit of 45 kg and 115 inches in dimensions, including wheels and handles.
If you are someone who’s traveling on a premium ticket, then you can bring at least two checked bags for absolutely free. Thus, if you want to bring any special items, such as your sports and musical items, you have to ask for permission from the airline.
United Airlines Basic Economy Baggage Fee
If you are flying on a basic economy ticket, you must pay for your bags which depends on your route, class, ticket, fare type, etc. In this case, you must check out the fees charged by United Airlines;-
Departing Destination | First bag | Second bag | Additional bags |
|---|---|---|---|
U.S. | $30 | $40 | $150 |
Mexico | $30 | $55 | $150 |
Canada | $30 | $50 | $150 |
Caribbean & Central America | $30 | $40 | $150 |
El Salvador | $30 | $40 | $200 |
Panama | $30 | $40 | $150 |
South America | $45 | $65 | $150 |
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru | $70 | $100 | $150 |
Europe | $75 | $100 | $200 |
Middle East & Africa | Free | Free | $200 |
India | Same as above | $200 | $300 |
Asia & Australia | Same as above | $100 | $200 |
Tahiti | $55 | $100 | $200 |
Baggage Fee For Economy Class Members
In most countries, you can check your first and second bags for free, but in some countries, you may have to pay an additional fee. Check out the fee charged by the airline;-
Destination/Reigon | Fees for First bag | For Second bag | For Any Additional bags |
|---|---|---|---|
U.S. | $30 | $40 | $150 |
Mexico | $30 | $55 | $150 |
Canada | $30 | $50 | $150 |
Caribbean & Central America | $30 | $40 | $150 |
El Salvador | Free | $40 | $200 |
Panama | Same as above | $40 | $150 |
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru | Same as above | $100 | $150 |
South America | Same as above | $65 | $150 |
Europe | Same as above | $100 | $200 |
Middle East & Africa | Same as above | Free | $200 |
India | Same as above | $200 | $300 |
Asia | Same as above | Free | $200 |
Australia | Same as above | $100 | $200 |
Tahiti | Same as above | $100 | $200 |
Baggage Fee For Business & First Class Members
If you are a first, business, or premium economy class member, you can bring the first two bags for free.
Restricted Items by the United Airlines
United Airlines can be strict regarding what you can and cannot bring on Board. According to the baggage policy, the passenger must follow the guidelines, and many items are banned from bringing on Board;-
- Lighters
- Firearms
- Batteries
- Dry ice
- E-cigarettes
- Certain powder-based substances
- Gels and chemicals
- Matchsticks
- Gasoline-powered tools
- Liquid Nitrogen
- Dry Snipers
United Airlines Baggage Policy For Military
You must understand that the military baggage policy is very different from the regular policy. As per the rules, active U.S. military members can get advantages regarding their baggage cause they can carry more baggage than regular passengers—perks of being a military member.
- If you are traveling for official purposes, you can bring at least five checked bags for free.
- However, the baggage must be within its limit, such as 70 lbs & 115 inches.
- However, if you are taking a vacation for leisure, you can bring up to 3 bags, and the weight and size must be at most 70 lbs & 62 inches.
- All the Military dependents traveling under the order can only carry two bags.
United Overweight Baggage Fee
If your baggage surpasses the given limit by the airline, then you will have to pay an overweight fee charged by the airline. However, the airline has set the standard weight limit of the baggage, which is 23 kg. But, the overweight baggage fee may differ depending on the weight ranges set by the airline;-
- If your baggage is between 24 to 32 kg, you need to pay almost $100.
- For baggage weighing between 33 to 46 kg, you must pay at least 400 dollars.
- However, the airline will only accept bags within 100 pounds as checked baggage.
- If you travel from/to the USA, you must pay at least 200 dollars for your overweight baggage.
Baggage Policy For Carrying Infants With United Airlines
If the passenger is traveling with an infant, then there are some things that you must know the rules and regulations given by the airline, such as;-
- You do not have to reserve a ticket for your child if they are under two. They can travel from/to the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United States without any seats.
- But, the situation can differ if you travel from Canada, Guam & Mexico, then you have to buy a ticket for your child with all the including taxes.
- In such cases, you can take advantage of the safety seats made especially for your kids.
Baggage Policy For Bringing Pets On-Board
Unsurprisingly, you should bring your pets on Board. According to the United Airlines Baggage Policy, you can bring your pets with you on Board, but you have to follow certain rules. However, the airline ensures safety for your pets, and for smooth travel, make sure to follow these rules;-
- The airlines have strict pet carrier limitations; your pet carrier must be around 17x12x7.5 inches. Ensure the pet carrier is big enough to move around completely and freely.
- Those with a cat or dog can easily carry them inside the cabin and put their carrier under your seat. Your pet carrier must fit under your seat.
- You may sometimes have to pay an additional fee for carrying pets on Board.
- You can also carry service animals.
- If you have more than one cat or dog, book a ticket for them.
United Airlines Baggage Policy For Lost, Damaged & Delayed Baggage
Suppose you are at the airport, waiting for your baggage, and you realize that you have lost your baggage. In this case, you have to file a report regarding your lost baggage. Otherwise, you can contact the Baggage Resolution Center to claim your baggage. There are many methods by which you can file your claim; here’s how you can do this;-
1. Online Method to File Claim
- First of all, you have to navigate to the official website of United Airlines.
- Then, make your way to the Baggage Information section.
- Now, choose Issues With my checked baggage>>United Check Baggage.
- Get to the bottom of the website and hit the submit button.
- Enter all the details, such as name, baggage related information, to get your claim.
2. Contact the Customer Service
- If your baggage has been lost, delayed, or damaged, you must contact the airline on their official number.
- You need to address your issues to the agent, submit your details, and claim your luggage.
Conclusion
Traveling anxiety and excitement is very common. And, maybe in excitement, you packed too much stuff for your liking. This can cost you a fortune, and you may be charged an overweight baggage fee. To avoid paying overweight baggage fees, you must understand and follow the guidelines of United Airlines Baggage Policy. Hence, for more information, visit our official website or contact us via live chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. The price may differ depending on various factors such as your ticket type, fare type, and your destination. According to the United Airlines Baggage Policy, for the first bag, you will have to pay at least $35 & second bag will cost $45.
Ans. Yes, there is a way by which you can pay for your baggage online. There are two options; according to the first one, you can pay for your baggage online within 24 hours. On the other hand, you can also directly pay at the airport using the official website to save time.
Ans. According to the United Airlines Baggage Policy, customers traveling from/to the USA can bring their liquid items as their carry-ons. But keep in mind that the liquid item must not exceed 3.4 ounces.
Ans. If your baggage is overweight, you must pay a certain fee. The overweight fee may differ depending on the destination, ticket type, etc. However, you have to pay at least $100; if you are flying within Mexico, you would have to pay $200 to $400.
Ans. According to the United Airlines Baggage Policy, passengers can bring their pets on Board. But, they have to follow the guidelines given by the airline itself. Make sure you carry your pets in a carrier, which must be big enough for your pet to move around and lay peacefully.
