Want to save money on your baggage while flying with United Airlines? We all know that United Airlines baggage rules can be costly and empty your pockets if you do not pack your bags judiciously. If you want to make your journey with United flights more budget-friendly, being familiar with its detailed baggage rules beforehand is helpful. To help traveling souls have a smooth trip, we have provided comprehensive details about the updated United Airlines Baggage Policy 2025 on this page.

United Airlines Baggage Policy: An Overview

You can save money on your luggage by being careful with your packing if you plan to travel with United Airlines. Nobody wants to empty their pockets while taking their favorite set of clothes ( or any other personal belongings) with them. But now you can save extra bucks (and spend them on other things) by adhering to the United Airlines Baggage Allowance policy. Here’s an overview of the baggage allowance for United Airlines.

• The United Airlines baggage policy applies to all travelers boarding its flights worldwide.
• Your United Airlines Baggage Fees vary based on several factors: ticket fare type, travel class, travel route, number of baggages, and types of baggages.
• Travelers can take one personal item and a carry-on bag on a United Airlines flight for free (these bags must satisfy the size and weight limit criteria).
• Travelers with a basic Economy reservation type can only take a personal item with them. United Airlines does not allow carry-on bags for these passengers (except for South America, the Atlantic, or the Pacific route).
• You are allowed to check two bags (within the specified dimensions and weights) for free (except for economy class tickets).
• United Airlines offers its elite members (and some other travel groups) extra baggage allowances (more than two bags can be checked for free) and free check-in for almost all baggage.
• Travelers should make an early check-in of their bags to get discounts on United Airlines baggage fees.
• If the dimensions of your cabin bags or personal items exceed the permissible limit, United Airlines will charge you an extra fee.
• You will have to include the height of the wheels and handles too, while calculating the size of your luggage.
• United flights offer free baggage check-in for bags up to 50 pounds / 23 kg in Economy class.
• Passengers with bags weighing 70 pounds / 32 kg are allowed in the Business class of United Airlines.
• You can take bags with a maximum weight of 100 pounds on United Airlines.

Note: United Airlines travelers are also not permitted to take luggage whose size exceeds 115 inches or 292 centimeters (concessions are given for specific objects).

Carry on Luggage Rules United Airlines

You can save yourself from extra baggage fees if you are familiar with United Airlines Baggage Allowance rules. As you have been informed earlier, apart from basic economy fare tickets, all other passengers can take carry-on luggage with them. However, the catch here is that your carry-on bag must fit in the overhead compartment of the United Airlines flight.

The size limit allowed for United Air carry-on luggage is: 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches (23 x 35 x 56 cm). United Airlines is generous in allowing carry-on baggage of any weight (no weight limit is defined) as long as it fits within the provided space.

United Airlines Baggage Policy for Personal Items

Every United Airlines traveler can take a personal item onboard the flight. Your personal item should observe the size limit of 9 inches * 10 inches * 17 inches (length, width, and height), which is equivalent to 22 by 25 by 43 centimetres. You will need to store this item under your seat on the flight. United Airlines has not fixed any weight limit for your item as long as it fits under your booked seat.

Travelers can take items such as umbrellas, jackets, milk pumps, baby gear, a camera, a pet carrier, reading materials, and other related items for free on United Airlines.

United Airlines Baggage Fees

Several factors decide the baggage allowance fee in United Airlines. The two critical factors are your travel class (Economy/Business/First class) and the route you take (Domestic/International).
Passengers traveling with a Basic Economy ticket will be charged $35 to take their carry-on bag with them. If the carry-on bag is too large to fit under the seat, you will need to check it, which incurs a baggage fee of $65 or more. These baggage rules for United Airlines are relaxed for other travel classes.

United Airlines Checked Baggage Fees for Domestic Flights

The checked baggage fees for United Airlines domestic flights depend on your ticket fare class and the time you approve your bags for check-in (prepay check-in helps you save on baggage fees). Travelers can save $5 (on each bag) by opting for early luggage check-in.

United Baggage Fees for International Flights

The United Airlines baggage fees for International flights vary if you take a different route. Check the associated baggage fees below.

For Flights operating in South America / Europe / Asia / Africa

• For Economy class travelers: the first checked bag is free, the 2nd bag costs $100, and every additional bag (3rd or more) costs $200.
• For Business class travelers: All bags are checked at no additional cost.
• For First class travelers: All bags are checked at no additional cost.

For Flights operating in Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands

• For Economy class passengers: The first bag costs 30 US Dollars and the second bag costs 40 US Dollars.
• For Business class passengers: Both bags are checked at no additional cost.
• For First class passengers: Both bags are checked at no additional cost.

Weight Restrictions Given in United Airlines Baggage Allowance Rules

The permissible weight of the baggage on United Airlines is based on the MileagePlus and Cabin status of the traveler.

For Weights by Cabin

For Weights by MileagePlus Status

Overweight Baggage Allowance for United Airlines

You can take overweight bags with you (up to the maximum permissible limit) by paying the extra baggage fees. Travelers will have to empty their pockets for overweight bags as per the additional charges prescribed in the United Airlines Baggage policy 2025.

• If your bags weigh 51 to 70 pounds on domestic flights, a charge of $100 to $200 may be applied for each travel bag.
• Your United baggage fee will be between $ 200 and $ 400 for every bag on international flights if it weighs between 51 and 70 pounds (or 24 and 32 kilograms).
• It is $400 for each bag in the weight range: 71 to 100 pounds (33 to 46 kilograms).
• Travel bags with a weight over 100 pounds (or 46 kilograms) are not allowed under any circumstances on United Airlines flights. It is the upper weight limit for United Airlines luggage.

United Checked Baggage Policy for Oversized Bags

The upper size limit for checked baggage on United Airlines is 62 inches or 158 centimeters (in linear size). You will have to empty your pockets if your travel bags exceed the United Airlines free baggage size range. Travelers will have to pay $200 per bag for oversized bags in the range of 63 to 115 in (or 160 to 292 centimetres).

You cannot take bags whose height exceeds 115 inches on United Airlines under any circumstances. The size limit of other types of luggage (sports equipment/medical equipment) permitted on United Airlines is different from the standard size limit for common baggage.

How to Avoid Charges on United Airlines Checked Baggage?

United travelers can save on extra baggage check-in costs with United Airlines by adopting smart strategies. These strategies include: early check-in / purchasing tickets in travel classes that offer more baggage allowances / becoming a Chase United cardholder.

Become Specific Credit Cardholders-

The United Airlines baggage allowance available for different types of credit card holders has been shared below.

Chase United Explorer Card- 1st bag check-in is done without a fee

Chase United Quest Card: 1st & 2nd checked bags are free

Chase United Club Infinite Card: 1st & 2nd checked bags are free

Chase United Business Card: 1st checked bag is free

Chase United Club Business Card: 1st & 2nd checked bags are free

Become a Member of United MileagePlus Elite Status- You can get free baggage check-ins on one or more bags by joining the loyalty program of United Airlines. The benefits offered to these frequent flyers, including baggage allowance, are listed herein.

Premier Silver: 1st checked bag free

Premier Gold: 1st & 2nd checked bags are free

Premier Platinum: 1st, 2nd & 3rd checked bags are free

Premier 1K: 1st, 2nd & 3rd checked bags are free

Tips to Use the United Airlines Baggage Policy Efficiently

You can use the United Airlines’ baggage rules efficiently to save extra charges on your luggage. We have provided some smart tips for travelers below.

• You should use the pre-payment option to save on luggage charges. You are allowed to check up to nine bags per person using the pre-payment method.
• Travelers should pack their bags wisely and weigh them in advance to avoid penalties for excess weight.
• United Airlines will offer you special baggage allowances if you have a premium or business class ticket. You can look for those options if you want extra baggage allowance on United flights.
• You should keep your luggage height within the permitted height and weight range to avoid additional charges during check-in.

READ ABOUT – United Airlines Name Change Policy

Final Words

You can have the last laugh during your travel journey if you know every aspect of the United Airlines baggage policy. We have outlined each and every aspect of the United Airlines baggage allowance rules on this page. If you have any questions related to United Airlines or other flights, get in touch with the travel experts at Myflightpolicy. Travelers can resolve all their doubts by connecting with them at Call Us : +1-877-271-4004 (available 24/7).

Frequently Asked Questions