If you’re flying United, you probably want to know what you can take on board for free, what a checked bag will cost and if your fare changes any of it. The short answer: a personal item is always free, a full carry-on is free on everything except short-haul Basic Economy, and a first checked bag on US domestic flights now costs $45 if you pay online at least a day ahead, or $50 at the airport.
The longer version depends on your route, your fare and when you pay. United has raised its bag fees again and added a cheaper Base fare to Premium Plus and Polaris that only includes one checked bag. So if your numbers come from an older trip, they’re probably out of date.
Below you’ll find the current sizes, weights and fees (in pounds, euros and dollars), the long-haul rules for flights to and from the UK, and the few situations where people end up paying far more than they expected.
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United Airlines Baggage Allowance: Quick Facts at a Glance
What's changed with United baggage
The latest round of changes touched most of the price list:
- First and second bag fees on domestic and short-haul international routes went up by $10 each
- A third bag now costs around $200 on most routes
- Long-haul fees to Europe, Asia, Africa and South America rose in a separate increase a few weeks later, and some Asia routes were adjusted again after that
- Premium Plus and Polaris are now sold as Base, Standard and Flexible fares, and Base includes just one checked bag
- Basic Economy no longer earns MileagePlus miles for general members
The carry-on and personal item sizes haven’t changed. Neither has the 50 lb (23 kg) limit in Economy or the $5 discount for paying for bags online at least 24 hours before you fly.
United Airlines baggage allowance 2026: the quick answer (free vs paid, in plain English)
On a standard Economy fare or above you can bring one carry-on for the overhead bin and one personal item for under the seat, both free. The sizes are the same on every United flight. How strictly they’re checked depends a lot on the airport and how full the plane is.
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| Bag type | Max size (inches) | Max size (cm) | Where it goes | Included on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 17 x 10 x 9 | 43 x 25 x 22 | Under the seat in front | Every fare, including Basic Economy |
| Carry-on bag | 22 x 14 x 9 | 56 x 35 x 22 | Overhead bin | Economy and above; long-haul Basic Economy |
| Checked bag | 62 linear (L+W+H) | 158 linear | Hold | Depends on fare, route and status |
| Oversize checked bag | 63 to 115 linear | 160 to 292 linear | Hold, with a surcharge | Never included as standard |
United doesn’t publish a weight limit for carry-ons, but you do need to be able to lift yours into the bin. The size limits include wheels and handles, and that’s where plenty of “cabin size” cases fail. Measure yours packed, at the widest point.
Personal items that usually pass without a second look are a soft daypack (not stuffed solid), a tote or handbag, or a slim laptop bag. The ones that get stopped tend to be hard-shell “underseat” cases, backpacks with a rigid frame and anything boxy that won’t squash down.
Basic Economy baggage rules
On US domestic flights and most short-haul international routes (Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America), United Basic Economy includes a personal item only. You can’t bring a bag for the overhead bin. Delta and American both allow a full carry-on on Basic Economy, so United is the strictest of the three.
If you arrive at the gate with a full-size bag on one of these fares, United checks it and charges the normal checked bag fee plus a $25 gate handling charge. On a domestic flight that’s £56 (€66 / $75) for one bag, one way, which can easily wipe out whatever you saved on the fare.
Long-haul Basic Economy is more generous. On transatlantic and transpacific flights it includes a carry-on and a personal item, but you’ll usually pay for your first checked bag (standard Economy includes it).
These travellers can bring a full carry-on even on short-haul Basic Economy:
- MileagePlus Premier members
- Star Alliance Gold members
- The primary cardmember on an eligible United credit card
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United checked bag fees: US, Canada, Mexico and Latin America
These fees apply per bag, per person, each way, on Economy and Basic Economy unless you have status, a qualifying card or a premium cabin seat.
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| Bag | Prepaid online (24h+ before) | At the airport or within 24h | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st checked bag | £34 (€40 / $45) | £38 (€44 / $50) | Free with status, eligible cards, premium cabins |
| 2nd checked bag | £41 (€48 / $55) | £45 (€53 / $60) | Free from Premier Gold up, and on some cards |
| 3rd checked bag | £150 (€176 / $200) | £150 (€176 / $200) | No prepay discount |
| Basic Economy carry-on caught at gate | Not available | Bag fee + £19 (€22 / $25) | Domestic and short-haul only |
The $5 prepay discount adds up for families. Four people with one bag each, there and back, pay £270 (€317 / $360) if they prepay and £300 (€352 / $400) at the desk. That’s £30 saved for adding the bags in the app a day early.
Prices are a guide and vary by route, date and demand. Currency conversions are approximate.
Long-haul baggage: United flights to and from the UK, Europe and Asia
United flies from London Heathrow and other European airports to hubs including Newark, Washington Dulles, Chicago, Houston and San Francisco. Bag allowances on these flights are more generous than on domestic routes.
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| Fare | Carry-on + personal item | 1st checked bag | 2nd checked bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Economy | Included | About £56 to £64 (€66 to €75 / $75 to $85) | Around £75 (€88 / $100) |
| Economy (Standard / Flexible) | Included | Included | Around £75 (€88 / $100) |
| Premium Plus Base | Included | Included | Paid |
| Premium Plus Standard / Flexible | Included | Included | Included |
| Polaris Base | Included | Included | Paid |
| Polaris Standard / Flexible | Included | Included | Included |
A third bag on these routes is usually around £150 (€176 / $200). Long-haul prices vary by region and went up in the latest increase, so use these figures as a guide and check your booking for the exact amount.
Premium Plus and Polaris Base fares
United now sells its premium cabins the same way it sells Economy, as three fare types. You get the same seat and the same food on all three. The difference is how many bags, what flexibility and which lounges come with the ticket.
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| Cabin and fare | Checked bags | Seat selection | Changes / refunds | Lounge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Plus Base | 1 | Paid | No changes, no refund | None included |
| Premium Plus Standard | 2 | Included | Changes allowed | None included |
| Premium Plus Flexible | 2 | Included | Changes and refund | None included |
| Polaris Base | 1 | Paid | No changes, no refund | United Club only |
| Polaris Standard | 2 | Included | Changes allowed | Polaris Lounge and United Club |
| Polaris Flexible | 2 | Included | Changes and refund | Polaris Lounge and United Club |
If you travel with one big case, Base is usually fine. If you need two bags each way, compare the Standard fare against the cost of paying for a second bag twice. The gap is often smaller than you’d think.
Weight and size limits (and overweight fees)
Every standard Economy and Premium Plus checked bag can weigh up to 50 lb (23 kg) and measure up to 62 linear inches (158 cm), meaning length plus width plus height, wheels and handles included. Go over either and you pay a surcharge on top of the bag fee.
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| Situation | Surcharge (added to the bag fee) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 51 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg) | £75 (€88 / $100) | A couple of kilos over costs more than the bag itself |
| 71 to 100 lb (32 to 45 kg) | £150 (€176 / $200) | Worth repacking or splitting the load |
| Over 100 lb (45 kg) | Not accepted | Ship it or split it |
| 63 to 115 linear in (160 to 292 cm) | £150 (€176 / $200) | Large cases with chunky wheels can tip over |
| Over 115 linear in (292 cm) | Not accepted | Unless it’s an approved special item |
Overweight and oversize charges can both apply to the same bag. A heavy, oversized first bag paid at the airport on a domestic flight can top £225 (€264 / $300) one way. Airport scales don’t always match home ones, so I’d aim for 21 to 22 kg rather than packing right up to 23.
If you’re over at the desk, you can usually fix it there:
- Move books, chargers and toiletries into your personal item
- Wear your heaviest shoes and coat through check-in
- Shift weight into a travel companion’s bag if they have room
- Keep a foldable tote in your case for overflow
How to get free checked bags on United
There are a few reliable ways to avoid bag fees altogether, though some are much easier if you live in the US.
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| Route to free bags | What you get | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Silver | 1 free checked bag, up to 70 lb | Regular United flyers |
| Premier Gold | 2 free checked bags, up to 70 lb | Frequent flyers |
| Premier Platinum / 1K | 3 free checked bags, up to 70 lb | Very frequent flyers |
| Star Alliance Gold (e.g. via another airline’s scheme) | At least 1 extra free bag | UK travellers with status on a Star Alliance airline |
| United Explorer card | 1st bag free for cardholder + 1 companion | US residents who fly United a few times a year |
| United Quest / Club cards | 1st and 2nd bags free | US residents who fly United often |
| Premium cabins | 1 to 2 bags depending on fare | Anyone booking up front |
| Active-duty US military | Free bags, more when on orders | Service members with ID |
UK travellers often overlook Star Alliance Gold. If you hold Gold status with another Star Alliance airline’s frequent flyer scheme, it usually applies on United flights too, giving you an extra bag and a full carry-on on Basic Economy.
Gate-checking, regional jets and tight connections
A carry-on within the size limit can still be taken off you at the gate. United Express regional jets have small overhead bins, and on full flights the later boarding groups are often asked to gate-check. It’s usually free on standard fares, but it costs you time at the other end and separates you from whatever’s inside.
Keep anything you’ll need during the journey in your personal item. Power banks have to stay in the cabin, never in the hold, and United now asks for them to be kept at or under your seat rather than in the overhead bin. Our guide to power banks on planes covers the watt-hour limits.
Things worth keeping in your personal item on any United flight:
- Passport, wallet and phone
- Medication and glasses
- Chargers, cables and your power bank
- A warm layer for the cabin
- A toothbrush and clean top, in case your checked bag is delayed
If you’re flying into the US, set up an eSIM for your US trip before you go so the United app works as soon as you land. Bag tracking alerts and rebooking messages aren’t much use if you’re still looking for airport Wi-Fi.
Families, pushchairs and special items
United is fairly relaxed about baby equipment.
- Pushchairs and car seats can be checked free, at the desk or at the gate
- A nappy bag can come on board on top of the normal allowance when you’re flying with an infant
Pack wipes, a change of clothes, milk or snacks and any medication in the nappy bag rather than in the hold, so you’ve still got them if a flight is delayed.
Sports gear usually counts as one of your standard checked bags as long as it stays within the size and weight limits. Golf clubs in a hard case, or skis with one boot bag, generally go as a normal bag. Bikes, surfboards and other long or awkward items are more likely to pick up oversize fees, so check the special items rules before you book.
Delayed, damaged or lost bags: what to do
If your bag doesn’t arrive, or arrives damaged, report it before you leave the airport. Go to the United baggage service desk, get a file reference and photograph any damage. Keep your bag tag receipt, your boarding pass and receipts for anything you have to buy while you wait.
Under US rules, if a checked bag is significantly delayed (12 hours on a domestic flight, 15 to 30 hours on international flights depending on length) and you paid to check it, you can get the bag fee refunded. United also has to refund the fee if the bag is lost.
That refund won’t cover the cost of replacing your things, so it’s worth having travel insurance that covers delayed and lost baggage. If the flight itself was badly delayed or cancelled, you may be able to claim flight compensation as well, especially on flights departing the UK or EU.
Night-before checklist for flying United
- Check the baggage section of your booking and screenshot it
- Measure your carry-on fully packed, wheels included
- Weigh your checked bag and aim for 21 to 22 kg
- Prepay any checked bags at least 24 hours before departure
- Move valuables, medication and your power bank into your personal item
- Put a contact card inside your checked bag as well as a tag on the outside
If you’re landing late with heavy bags, booking an airport transfer to your hotel in advance saves dragging them onto public transport after a long flight.
Flying with more than one US airline? Our Delta baggage allowance guide and American Airlines baggage guide cover their rules, and the 100ml liquid rule guide covers what you can take through security.
Common United baggage myths (and what’s actually true)
Airports are full of confident advice from strangers who are two coffees deep and wrong. Here are the myths that cause the most fee pain.
Myth: “They never measure bags.”
Reality: they measure when flights are full, bins are tight, or your bag looks chunky.
Myth: “Gate-check is always free.”
Reality: sometimes yes (space issues), sometimes no (fare rules, especially Basic Economy scenarios).
Myth: “My personal item can be any backpack.”
Reality: it needs to fit under-seat and stay within the size limit. Overpacked bags get noticed.
Myth: “Overweight is just a small fee.”
Reality: overweight charges can jump fast, and they stack with other fees on some routes.
Myth: “International always includes checked bags.”
Reality: many do, but fare types can change what’s included.
My Final Thoughts
Most of the extra money people pay United comes from taking a full-size bag on short-haul Basic Economy or paying for bags at the airport instead of online. Packing right up to 23 kg is the other common one. Check the baggage section of your booking before you pack and prepay anything you’re checking, and you’ll pay what you planned to.
Heading to the States? Our USA travel guides cover where to go once you’ve landed, and our US airport security rules cover what to expect at the airport.
FAQs
How much is a checked bag on United?
On US domestic flights and routes to Canada, Mexico and Latin America, the first checked bag is £34 (€40 / $45) if you prepay at least 24 hours ahead, or £38 (€44 / $50) at the airport. The second is £41 (€48 / $55) prepaid or £45 (€53 / $60) at the airport. On long-haul flights to Europe and Asia, standard Economy usually includes the first bag.
Can I bring a carry-on on United Basic Economy?
Not on US domestic flights or most short-haul international routes, where Basic Economy is personal item only. Long-haul transatlantic and transpacific Basic Economy does include a carry-on, and Premier members, Star Alliance Gold members and eligible United cardholders can bring one on any route.
What size carry-on does United allow?
Your carry-on can be up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 22 cm) including wheels and handles, and your personal item up to 17 x 10 x 9 inches (43 x 25 x 22 cm). There’s no published weight limit for carry-ons, but you need to be able to lift yours into the overhead bin.
What happens if my United checked bag is overweight?
Bags between 51 and 70 lb (23 to 32 kg) pick up a surcharge of about £75 (€88 / $100) on top of the normal bag fee, and bags from 71 to 100 lb (32 to 45 kg) cost about £150 (€176 / $200) extra. United won’t accept a standard checked bag over 100 lb (45 kg).
Do Premium Plus and Polaris still include two checked bags?
Only on Standard and Flexible fares. The newer Base fares in Premium Plus and Polaris include one checked bag, paid seat selection and no changes, so check the fare details before booking the cheapest premium option.
Sources checked
- United Airlines: carry-on bags, cabin bag and personal item sizes, Basic Economy carry-on rules
- United Airlines: checked bags, bag fees, weight and size limits, overweight and oversize charges
- United Airlines: baggage information, special items, families and free bag eligibility
- US Department of Transportation: refunds, bag fee refunds for significantly delayed bags
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