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Travel can be expensive, and baggage fees only add to the costs. Most U.S. domestic flights charge checked bag fees, including United Airlines. Learning how to avoid checked bag fees when flying with United Airlines can save you some significant money, especially if you’re traveling with your spouse or family. To help you save some cash, let’s take a look at how much checked bags cost with United Airlines — and how to avoid them. In this article
What is United Airlines’ baggage policy?The exact policies and fees you’ll face on United Airlines depend on your fare class, MileagePlus status, whether you’re carrying on or checking your luggage, and the weight and size of your bag. But whether it’s a checked or carry-on bag, any bag that has lithium batteries installed needs to be removed and stowed with you, or else it’s not allowed on any United flights. Other prohibited items are also typically banned by federal law, including oxygen bottles, fireworks, and paints. You can check United’s dangerous goods page or the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) What Can I Bring page for more information. Carry-onsUnited travelers are allowed one small personal item, like a purse or laptop bag (maximum dimensions 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches), and a full-sized carry-on bag (maximum dimensions 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches). United Airlines will also let you bring on other items aside from their carry-on baggage restrictions, such as:
However, there are a few exceptions. Those who purchase a Basic Economy ticket are only allowed one personal item — a full-size carry-on is not allowed unless the ticket holder is on a trans-Atlantic flight, is a MileagePlus Premier member, or is a primary cardholder using a qualifying MileagePlus credit card. If a Basic Economy traveler brings an ineligible carry-on to the gate and is required to check it, you’ll pay an additional $25 gate handling charge on top of the standard checked-bag fee. For smaller United Express flights, you may need to gate-check your carry-on items if the overhead bins aren’t large enough to accommodate them. Checked bagsUnfortunately, many travelers will need to pay checked baggage fees — but how much you pay depends on your flight route, class of service, and how many bags you check. On domestic flights, Economy passengers generally pay $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second bag, and $150 for the third bag. Premium tickets can typically check up to two bags for free. On international flights, Economy passengers generally get one checked bag free; a second bag is $100, and a third is $200. Premium passengers typically get the first two bags free. To check your exact baggage fees, use the United.com baggage calculator. The maximum weight for checked bags is 50 pounds for Economy fare. Business, First Class, Star Alliance Gold, and MileagePlus Premier members are allowed a maximum weight limit of 70 pounds. All checked bags need to have a maximum exterior dimension of 62 linear inches. Oversized baggage and overweight baggage will accrue an extra fee — $200 extra for an oversized bag and $100 to $400 extra for an overweight bag. Any bags are over 100 pounds or 115 linear inches will be denied. If you need to check more than three bags, you'll also need to pay an excess baggage fee, which can range from $150 to $500. It's important to note that United has excess baggage embargoes, or limits, in place for certain destinations. Review their Embargoes for checked bags page for more details. You can pay for checked luggage by credit card either when you check-in at the airport or by prepaying ahead of time when you check-in online. Keep in mind if you prepay, you’ll be charged immediately and won’t be eligible for a refund if you end up checking fewer bags. >> See how you could get your bag checked for free for you and a companion (save up to $320 per roundtrip) with the United Quest℠ Card or the United℠ Explorer Card. How to avoid checked bag fees on United AirlinesChecked bag fees can add up, but there are ways you can bypass paying them. Here’s how to avoid United Airlines baggage fees. 1. Only pack a carry-onIf you can fit everything into your personal and carry-on items, you won’t need to pay any baggage fees. Remember, though, that Basic Economy passengers may only be allowed one personal item on a flight. Check the fine print so you’re not caught by surprise by carry-on allowances. 2. Join the United loyalty programUnited’s MileagePlus program offers perks including free checked bags if you’re a Premier member. To reach this status, you’ll need to earn a certain number of Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or Premier qualifying segments (PQS). You’ll also need to meet a minimum annual spending threshold if you reside in the U.S. and fly at least four flights or segments within a calendar year to qualify. There are four Premier levels — Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 1K. Based on your Premier status and the ticket class you purchased, you could be allowed one to three free checked bags. The higher your status, the more free bags you’re allowed. 3. Buy a premium ticketUnited Economy class tickets are generally subject to a checked bag fee, so consider purchasing a Premium Economy class ticket (or higher) to avoid these charges. These classes get up to two checked bags for free. If you have an oversized or overweight bag, you may be charged extra fees. 4. Bring your military documentationActive U.S. military personnel are exempt from many checked luggage fees. For personal travel, you’re allowed up to three bags weighing 70 pounds each for free. Those traveling for official business are allowed up to five free bags weighing up to 100 pounds each. Dependents of active military personnel could also access these same benefits in some situations. 5. Get a United credit cardWith a United Airlines credit card, you can get access to benefits such as free checked bags, statement credits for certain purchases, and the ability to earn bonus reward miles. Whether you qualify for these credit cards depends on your creditworthiness. However, if you're a frequent flyer on United, applying for a United card may be worth your time. The right card could help offset your airfare costs and give you perks that make your flights more enjoyable. Here are some of the current offers and benefits you can get with a United credit card so that you choose the best airline credit card for you: CardPerks you get on UnitedAnnual feeUnited Gateway℠ Card
Get more details at our United Quest card review. 6. Use a general travel cardMore general travel credit cards could also help you save on baggage fees in a number of ways. First, you may be able to transfer credit card points to United. For example, you could transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to the United MileagePlus program, then use those points to purchase a premium ticket and avoid baggage fees. Some of the best travel credit cards even offer credits that cover baggage fees directly. The airline credit offered with select American Express cards, for instance, could reimburse you for up to $250 of baggage fees if you choose United as your primary airline. FAQs about United Airlines' baggage policyUnited offers free checked bags for all business and first-class customers, regardless of final destination. Economy customers flying to Europe or other long-distance destinations receive one free checked bag. Complimentary checked bags are not included for customers flying with Economy Basic fare. Some complimentary checked bag services are also available for active U.S. military personnel and their dependents. This includes up to three free checked bags for personal travel, five for business travel, and two for military dependents with travel orders. You may also be eligible for free checked bags if you have certain United credit cards or you’re a MileagePlus Premier member. Your first checked bags on U.S. domestic flights with United will cost up to $35. A second bag is up to $45, and a third or any additional bags are $150. Be sure to keep in mind size and weight restrictions when checking a bag with United. For travelers flying economy, checked bags cannot exceed 50 pounds. For United first and business class, as well as MileagePlus members with Premier status, bags cannot exceed 70 pounds. All bags, regardless of the traveler, must not have any dimensions greater than 62 inches — this includes all wheels and handles. Most travelers are allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item. There are some exceptions. If you’re traveling Basic Economy on United Airlines for a U.S. domestic flight, you can bring only one personal item with you. Similarly, there may be restrictions on how many items you can take on board when traveling with a United Express Flight, as these regional partner airlines tend to use smaller planes with less space for baggage. If one of these unique situations applies to you, it’s best to verify your baggage limitations with United in advance. In all events, carry-on bags cannot exceed 9-by-14-by-22 inches, and personal items cannot exceed 9-by-10-by-17 inches. United waives certain baggage fees for its MileagePlus Premier members. Each level offers slightly different checked baggage allowance perks, starting with one free bag for Premier Silver members (the lowest tier of membership) traveling within the United States, Mexico, Canada, or Central America all the way up to three free bags for Premier 1k members (the highest level of membership). Premier Gold members receive two free bags for this type of trip, and Premier Platinum members receive three. For longer trips from the U.S. (including destinations in Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa) Premier Silver members receive two free bags, whereas Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1k members all receive three. Keep in mind that there may be exceptions to these bag allotments based on specific destinations. It’s best to check with United in advance to ensure you pack the correct number of bags. Which United credit cards give you free checked bags?Several United Chase credit cards offer free checked baggage as part of their member perks. The United℠ Explorer Card, United Club℠ Infinite Card, United Quest℠ Card, and United℠ Business Card all offer at least one free checked bag for cardholders. Depending on which card you have, this service amounts to between $140 and $320 in savings for a roundtrip flight. Bottom lineSaving money on baggage fees from United Airlines is completely possible if you take the time to figure out which strategy is best for you. Signing up for a rewards credit card, packing light, or working toward MileagePlus Premier status are all viable options. Whichever method you choose, make sure to read the fine print so you’re not in for a surprise when you check in. Best Rewards for UnitedUnited℠ Explorer Card United℠ Explorer CardLearn How to Apply Current OfferEarn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months Annual Fee$95 (waived first year) Rewards Rate2X miles on dining (including eligible delivery services), hotel stays, and United purchases and 1X miles on everything else How strict is United with overweight bags?United Airlines overweight baggage fee
If your bag exceeds 50 pounds but is less than 70 pounds, you may have to pay up to $200 per bag. If your bag weighs more than 70 pounds but less than 100 pounds, you may have to pay up to $400 per bag (depending on your destination).
Do you have to pay extra if your bag is over 50 pounds?While specific policies differ, most legacy airlines limit checked luggage to 50 pounds. That means that if your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds, your airline will charge you a set fee on top of their standard baggage rate.
How much does United charge if back is overweight?Overweight and oversize baggage fees
The United baggage overweight and oversize fees are as follows: Overweight fee: Starts at $100 per bag for 51 to 70 pounds and starts at $200 per bag for 70 to 100 pounds. Oversize fee: Starts at $200 per bag for 63 to 80 inches, including wheels and handles.
How much is it to check an oversized bag on United?If your checked baggage is oversized then United will charge you $200 to $400 per bag (up to maximum linear dimensions 115 inches). Charges for overweight baggage depend on your route and generally are $100 to $200 for bags weighing 51 to 70 pounds and $200 to $400 for bags weighing 71 to 100 pounds.
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How much does united charge for overweight bags
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