Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

United Airlines Baggage Fees & Tips To Cover the Expenses

Erin Miller's image
Erin Miller
Erin Miller's image

Erin Miller

Content Contributor

188 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 26U.S. States Visited: 28

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publicat...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
Keri Stooksbury's image

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

29 Published Articles, 3029 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45U.S. States Visited: 28

With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

United has a pretty basic baggage policy all around so you won’t find many surprises here. Overweight/oversized fees are a bit on the higher side but that being said, they’re consistent with most other major U.S. carriers.

Something to note: economy fares are split into Basic or Full Economy, which is of importance when you consider the carry-on allowance. Otherwise, in terms of baggage, fees are pretty much the same across the 2.

United Airlines Carry-on Allowance

1 Personal Item: FREE
1 Standard Carry-on Bag:

  • Standard Economy: FREE
  • Basic Economy: No bag included (excluding South America, transatlantic/transpacific flights where a standard carry-on is included*)

*Any Basic Economy Fare passenger that brings a full-sized carry-on bag to the gate will be required to check their bag and pay the applicable checked bag fee plus a $25 gate handling charge; unless the said passenger is a Premier member or a qualifying MileagePlus credit card primary cardmember or a Star Alliance Gold member.

Size Restrictions

  • Personal: 17 x 10 x 9 inches (43 x 25 x 22 cm)
  • Carry-On: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 22 cm)

Lap Infant Carry-on Policy

  • Customers may carry the following infant and child articles on board, in addition to the maximum carry-on baggage allowance: 1 diaper bag, breast pump, or a government-approved child seat (infant carrying seat or car seat).

Stroller Check Policy

  • United allows passengers to check 1 car seat and 1 stroller or folding wagon per child they’re traveling with, either at the ticket counter or at the gate, for free.
  • If your stroller is large or non-collapsible, or the wagon is non-folding, it has to be checked at the ticket counter (also free).
  • Car seats aren’t allowed in United Polaris business class on most Boeing 767, 777, or 787 planes.
  • Items such as a Pack ‘n Play or collapsible crib must be checked at the ticket counter and are charged as baggage.

United Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) for all economy and premium economy fares and 70 pounds (32 kg) for business, first, and Polaris and must adhere to max linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm).

Instead of providing a hard and fast table to assess your baggage fees at a glance, United is now recommending all passengers use its official baggage fee calculator tool.

However, after doing some basic route searches, we found consistent fees as detailed in the table below (however, you should use the baggage calculator to check your specific route).

For many routes, United now charges $5 more per bag when purchased at the airport rather than prepaying.

SCROLL FOR MORE
RouteEconomy
(Basic, Plus, and Full)
Premium EconomyBusinessFirst
Domestic U.S. and Canada/Central America(excluding Mexico/El Salvador/Panama)/Caribbean (excluding Cuba)First Bag: $30
Second Bag: $40 ($50 for Canada)
3+ Bags: $150 ($200 for Canada)
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150 ($200 for Canada)
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150 ($200 for Canada)
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150 ($200 for Canada)
U.S. to/from Australia and New ZealandFirst Bag: FREE
Second Bag: $100
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 CubaFirst Bag: $30
Second Bag: $100
3+ Bags: $150 (except Havana)
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150 (except Havana)
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150 (except Havana)
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150 (except Havana)
U.S. to/from East AsiaFirst Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE ($100 Basic Economy)
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 El SalvadorFirst Bag: FREE ($30 Basic Economy)
Second Bag: $40
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/Middle East (excluding Iran/Gulf countries)First Bag: FREE ($75 Basic Economy)
Second Bag: $100
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 IndiaFirst Bag: FREE ($75 Basic Economy)
Second Bag: $200
3+ Bags: $300
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $300
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $300
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $300
U.S. to/from Iran/GulfFirst Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE ($100 for Iran)
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 MexicoFirst Bag: $30
Second Bag: $55
3+ Bags: $150
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150
U.S. to/from PanamaFirst Bag: FREE ($30 Basic Economy)
Second Bag: $30 ($40 Basic Economy)
3+ Bags: $150
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150
U.S. to/from South AmericaFirst Bag: FREE ($35 to $75 Basic Economy)
Second Bag: FREE ($65 to $100 for certain destinations)
3+ Bags: $150
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150
First Bag: FREE
Second Bag: FREE
3+ Bags: $150
U.S. to/from South Asia (excluding India)First Bag: FREE ($45 Basic Economy)
Second Bag: $100 ($65 Basic Economy)
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

Additional and Excess Baggage Fees

As with checked luggage fees, United recommends all passengers use its official baggage fee calculator tool for excess baggage fees.

We ran some searches and found consistent fees for the destinations below, but we advise you to check the baggage calculator for your specific route as this could vary based on your departure airport.

SCROLL FOR MORE
RouteOversized Bags 63 to 115 Linear InchesOverweight Bags 51 to 70 PoundsOverweight 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/Guatemala/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$200N/A
U.S. to/from El Salvador$300$300$500
U.S. to/from Europe/Middle East/Africa$200$200$400
U.S. to/from Guatemala$200$200$400
U.S. to/from India$300$300$400
U.S. to/from Mexico$200$100$200
U.S. to/from Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands$200$100$200
U.S. to/from South America$200$200$400

For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.), please refer to United’s policy.

Can I Prepay for Baggage?

United Airlines does allow passengers the ability to prepay for luggage online or via the mobile app:

Here are the ways you can prepay:

Exclusions and Waivers

Use the United Airlines baggage calculator to check any exclusions and waivers for your route.

Premier Member Status free weight allowance for U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S Virgin Islands:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Cabin and RoutePremier SilverPremier GoldPremier PlatinumPremier 1K
Economy travel between the U.S. and Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America1 bag x 70 pounds (32 kg)2 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)3 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)3 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)
Economy travel between the U.S. and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa2 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)3 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)3 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)3 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)
All premium cabin travel3 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)3 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)3 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)3 bags x 70 pounds (32 kg)

Travel companions of MileagePlus Premier members will have the same exemptions as the Premier member whose status provides the benefit, as long as they are traveling on the same reservation.

The above exclusion and waivers may have seasonal exceptions/limits; refer to United’s baggage policy.

Star Alliance Gold Members: 

  • Domestic Flights:
    • Economy Cabin: First checked bag free (50 pounds)
    • Premium Economy Cabin:3 free Checked bags (50 pounds)
  • International Flights:
    • Economy Cabin: 2 free checked bags (50 pounds)
    • Premium Economy: 3 free checked bags (50 pounds)

Active U.S. Military Personnel

  • Personal Travel: 3 checked bags FREE (70 pounds, 62 linear inches)
  • Military dependent with travel orders: 2 checked bags FREE (70 pounds, 62 linear inches)
  • Military Orders: 5 checked bags FREE (70 pounds, 62 linear inches)

Dependents of active U.S. military personnel will have the same exemptions as the military service member whose status provides the benefit, as long as they are traveling on the same reservation. If the dependent’s travel is due to official orders, the exemption applies. If dependents are traveling on their own for personal reasons, they’re subject to the normal baggage allowance and fees based on the purchased ticket type.

Credit Cards That Give You a Free Checked Bag With United Airlines

You have several United co-branded credit card options if you would like to have checked baggage fees waived on United flights. There are even 3 cards that will waive the fee for 2 checked bags.

Check out the details below:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Credit CardChecked Bag Benefit Details
United Club℠ Business Card2 free checked bags for you and 1 companion on your itinerary
United Club℠ Infinite Card
United Quest℠ Card
United℠ Business Card1 free checked bag for you and 1 companion on your itinerary
United℠ Explorer Business Card (no longer available for new applications)
United℠ Explorer Card

To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.

The information regarding the United Club℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the United℠ Explorer Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to check a bag on United?

Although United recommends you check its baggage calculator for checked baggage fees, the following costs seem pretty consistent: Economy $30 for domestic flights and to/from Canada and Mexico. To Europe, it’s $0 to $75 depending on your fare type, and 2+ bags are charged at a higher cost. For business and first class, 2 free bags are included across all routes.

Are checked bags free on United?

Checked bags are free for business and first class passengers across all destinations. Economy passengers to Europe and other long-haul destinations receive 1 to 2 checked bags for free. Check United’s baggage calculator to check the allowance for your route. If you’ve booked an Economy Basic fare then you will not have any free checked baggage allowance included.

How many bags can you carry on United?

All passengers traveling United can bring 1 personal item onboard measuring up to 17 x 10 x 9 inches. All fare types excluding Basic Economy are permitted to also bring 1 standard carry-on bag up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (this excludes Basic Economy for South America, transatlantic/transpacific flights where a standard carry-on is included).

How much is excess baggage on United Airlines?

If your checked baggage is oversized then United will charge you $200 to $300 per bag (up to maximum linear dimensions 115 inches). Charges for overweight baggage depend on your route and generally are $100 to $300 for bags weighing 51 to 70 pounds and $200 to $400 for bags weighing 71 to 100 pounds.

Erin Miller's image

About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse
DMCA.com Protection Status