United Airlines Baggage Allowance, Fees & How to Add Extra Baggage

UA / UAL · United States

Prepay for checked bags online via My Trips more than 24 hours before departure for the discounted rate; exact fees depend on route, cabin and status and are shown by United's baggage fee calculator. Use the official links below to review baggage rules, booking access, and related airline services.

Baggage PolicyOfficial website

Updated Oct 8, 2026

United Airlines Baggage Allowance

Free checked and carry-on baggage allowances by cabin class and route. Allowances vary by route, ticket type, and frequent flyer status — always confirm with the official baggage policy before you fly.

Checked baggage

No free bags on US domestic and short-haul; first bag free on the sampled US-Europe route for standard Economy.

LabelAmountNotes
US domestic and short-haul (General member)No free checked baggage
  • Sampled calculator quote Newark to Chicago: 1st bag $45 prepaid / $50 standard.
  • Checked bags page: depending on where and how you travel, you may have to pay; use the baggage fee calculator for your exact amount.
US to Europe, standard Economy (General member)1 free checked bag
  • Sampled calculator quote Newark to London: 1st bag $0, 2nd bag $120.
  • Basic Economy on the same sampled route gets no free bag (1st bag $90).

Carry-on baggage

One carry-on plus one personal item free on most flights; Basic Economy is limited to a personal item on most routes.

LabelAmountNotes
Standard Economy, all routes1 carry-on (9 x 14 x 22 in) + 1 personal item (9 x 10 x 17 in)
  • Carry-on must fit in the overhead bin including handle and wheels; personal item must fit under the seat.
  • Oversize or extra carry-on bags must be checked and may incur a fee.
Basic Economy, most flights1 personal item only (9 x 10 x 17 in)
  • No free carry-on unless flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific; a carry-on brought anyway must be checked for a fee (from $45 prepaid / $50 lobby / $75 gate for tickets on or after April 3, 2026).
  • Premier members, companions, qualifying cardholders and Star Alliance Gold members keep a free carry-on in Basic Economy.

How to Add Extra Baggage & Prices on United Airlines

Buy Baggage
  1. Go to united.com and open My Trips (or open the United app) and add or select your trip with your confirmation number and last name
  2. Select the prepay option or add a checked bag to your trip
  3. Enter your info and check the bag details and applicable fees
  4. Complete checkout to finish prepaying for your bags
  5. Check in online, then print your bag tags at the airport and leave your bags at the bag-drop counter

Prices

First and second bag fees are quoted per bag one-way by the official baggage fee calculator; prepaid means paid online more than 24 hours before departure. Amounts below are calculator quotes sampled this run (EWR to Chicago ORD and EWR to London, November 2 2026, General member).

LabelAmountNotes
1st bag, US domestic and short-haul$45 prepaid / $50 standard
  • Sampled quote: Newark (EWR) to Chicago (ORD), Economy and Basic Economy cabins, General member.
  • The prepaid rate requires payment online more than 24 hours before departure; the discount also applies on United and United Express flights within the US and between the US and Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and shorter Latin America flights.
2nd bag, US domestic and short-haul$55 prepaid / $60 standard
  • Sampled quote: Newark (EWR) to Chicago (ORD), Economy and Basic Economy cabins, General member.
  • The prepaid rate requires payment online more than 24 hours before departure.
3rd and additional bags, US domestic$200 per bag
  • Sampled quote for Newark (EWR) to Chicago (ORD); bag must be within 62 linear inches and 50 lbs.
  • Extra bags are only accepted if space is available.
1st bag, US to Europe$0
  • Sampled quote: Newark (EWR) to London, Economy cabin, General member, first bag free.
  • Basic Economy on the same sampled route pays $90 for the 1st bag (standard and prepaid).
2nd bag, US to Europe$120
  • Sampled quote: Newark (EWR) to London, Economy and Basic Economy cabins; same amount for standard and prepaid.
3rd and additional bags, US to Europe$300 per bag
  • Sampled quote for Newark (EWR) to London; bag must be within 62 linear inches and 50 lbs.
  • Extra bags are only accepted if space is available.

FAQ

Can I buy extra baggage online after booking?

Yes. Add or prepay for bags in My Trips on united.com or the United app after booking. Phone prepay is not available, and sports gear, oversized and overweight bags must be paid for at the airport.

Where can I purchase extra baggage?

In My Trips on united.com (Find a Trip with confirmation number and last name), the United app, during online check-in, or at airport kiosks and counters. Travelers within the US can also use miles to pay before check-in.

When is the best time to buy extra baggage?

Prepay more than 24 hours before departure to get the discounted rate ($5 off per bag on eligible routes). For brand-new reservations, the ticket can take a couple of hours to appear for prepay.

How does United's baggage pricing work?

Fees are charged per bag one-way and depend on route, ticketed cabin, ticketing date and MileagePlus status on the travel date. Use the official baggage fee calculator for your exact itinerary; the first-segment carrier sets fees for the whole trip per DOT rules.

Is it cheaper to buy baggage online vs. at the airport?

Yes on eligible routes: prepaying online saves $5 per bag on US domestic and short-haul routes (1st bag $45 prepaid vs $50 standard; 2nd bag $55 vs $60). On the sampled US-London route the standard and prepaid amounts were identical.

What are the size and weight limits for checked bags?

Standard bags: max 30 x 20 x 12 in (62 total linear inches) and 50 lbs (23 kg) in Economy/Premium Economy, 70 lbs (32 kg) in Business/First/Polaris and for Premier/Star Alliance Gold members. Bags over 100 lbs or 115 linear inches are not accepted, and extra bags are space-available.

What are the overweight and oversized baggage rules?

If a bag is both oversized and overweight, each charge applies separately. Year-round and seasonal embargoes can bar oversized, overweight or extra bags on some international destinations, and boxes may be checked instead within strict size limits.

Do baggage fees differ on partner airline flights?

Yes. If a partner airline operates the first segment of your trip, it sets the bag fees, and MileagePlus or card free-bag waivers may not apply on partners. Prepay works for third-party tickets only if the flight is operated by United or United Express.

How can I pay for extra baggage?

Prepay online or in the United app through the My Trips checkout; travelers on United or United Express flights within the US can also use miles to pay before check-in. The airline's system automatically recognizes MileagePlus free-bag entitlements at checkout.

Can I get a refund for prepaid baggage?

If you prepay for more bags than you check, you may get a refund by contacting United or an airport agent. If you change flights, prepaid bags transfer to the new itinerary.

Who gets free checked bags on United?

Premier members (plus up to nine companions on the same itinerary) get 1-3 free bags up to 70 lbs depending on status, cabin and route; US military members get 3-5 free bags depending on trip type. Basic Economy normally includes only a personal item, with free carry-on on South America, trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights.

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