United Airlines has a fairly comprehensive policy regarding checked baggage fees and carry-on guidelines. While some airlines charge for every single bag, many United Airlines customers will enjoy a free first checked bag or two — despite the airline increasing baggage fees earlier this year.
However, it depends on many factors, including where you’re flying and whether you have elite status or carry select United credit cards. This guide will cover all the information you need to know about the United Airlines baggage policy.
United carry-on guidelines
The United carry-on guidelines are simple and complicated at the same time. Let’s start with the simple stuff.
Everyone is entitled to bring a personal item onto every flight. According to United, a personal item should be no larger than 9 inches by 17 inches by 10 inches and should fit underneath the seat in front of a passenger. Examples of personal items are backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags and approved pet carriers.
The United carry-on baggage guidelines are a bit more complicated. Most passengers are allowed to bring a carry-on bag on board free of charge. The United carry-on size policy requires your carry-on bag to be no larger than 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches.
The exception, and where things get complicated, is if you book a United basic economy ticket. United only allows basic economy passengers to bring one personal item on board. If a basic economy passenger shows up at the gate with a full-size carry-on bag, United will charge them the standard baggage fee, plus an additional $25 to check that bag on the plane.
However, there are several instances where the basic economy restriction doesn’t apply, including:
Flights to Canada, South America, across the Atlantic, or on international flights across the Pacific
For all MileagePlus Premier members or those traveling with a Premier member
For primary cardmembers of most United MileagePlus credit cards
A Star Alliance Gold member
Except for the $25 add-on fee for basic economy customers who bring a full-size bag to the gate, United Airlines doesn’t have a carry-on fee for any tickets. If your carry-on is bigger than the maximum permitted size, United will check your bag to your final destination (but you might need to pay a checked bag fee).