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If you’re booking a trip with United, save money on checked bags by doing your research ahead of time. Here’s how to get your extra cargo from point A to point B for free.
6 ways to get free checked bags
A free checked bag on United can save you up to $70 per person on a round-trip flight, as this privilege usually costs up to $35 each way. The United℠ Explorer Card offers a free checked bag for you and one companion on each United-operated flight. You can also get one to three free checked bags per flight as a Premier member in United’s MileagePlus loyalty program.
Checked baggage can weigh a maximum of 50 pounds in economy and 70 pounds in premium fare classes. It can have maximum overall measurements of 62 inches.
Here are more details on how to get free checked baggage on flights operated by United and United Express:
With travel credits, charge baggage fees, in-flight purchases, seat upgrades and more to your card, then get reimbursed on your card bill.
3. Become a MileagePlus Premier member.
United’s loyalty program, MileagePlus, has four elite tiers. Each offers one to three complimentary checked bags per flight, a benefit that extends to up to nine travel companions on your reservation. You’ll also enjoy a maximum baggage weight of 70 pounds each, up from the standard 50 pounds.
4. As active military personnel.
If you’re an active US military member on personal travel, you and your dependents on the same reservation can each check three bags free. Maximum overall dimensions per bag are 62 inches and maximum weight per bag is 70 pounds.
If you’re an active US military member on official business, you and your dependents on the same reservation can each check five bags free. Maximum overall dimensions per bag are 115 inches and maximum weight per bag is 100 pounds.
5. Fly a premium fare class.
When you fly United First, United Business or United Polaris, you can check three bags free, up to 70 pounds each.
6. Reach Star Alliance Gold status.
Star Alliance Gold lets you check an additional bag or get an additional 44 pounds of baggage weight free on eligible flights. Silver doesn’t come with these benefits. This can be a good way to waive baggage fees if you’re an elite with another Star Alliance carrier but not with United.
How much does it normally cost?
It depends on whether your United flight is domestic or international. Keep in mind that you can usually save $5 per bag when you purchase it in advance online.
Flight
First bag
Second bag
Each additional bag
Domestic
$35
$45
$150
International
$60 in basic economy
Free with a higher tier ticket
$100
You’re typically only allowed to check two bags on international flights.
United credit cards that get you free checked bags
Four United Airlines cards offer free checked baggage on United- and United Express-operated flights.
United Airlines credit card
Free Checked Bag Allowances
Annual Fee
United℠ Explorer Card
First bag free
$0 intro annual fee, then $95
United℠ Business Card
First bag free
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)
United MileagePlus® Club card
First and second bag free
$450 annual fee
To get the checked baggage benefit, purchase your flight with your United credit card and include your MileagePlus number in your reservation. One companion on the same reservation gets the baggage benefit as well.
Free checked bags for MileagePlus Premier members
Premier Silver
Premier Gold
Premier Platinum
Premier 1K
Economy travel between US and:
Continental US
Alaska
Hawaii
Canada
Mexico
Caribbean
Central America
1 bag
2 bags
3 bags
3 bags
Economy travel between the US and:
South America
Asia
Australia
New Zealand
Europe
Middle East
Africa
2 bags
3 bags
3 bags
3 bags
All other Economy travel
1 bag in addition to included checked baggage allowance
1 bag in addition to included checked baggage allowance
1 bag in addition to included checked baggage allowance
1 bag in addition to included checked baggage allowance
Compare credit cards that get you free checked bags
Use a United branded credit card or select travel credit cards to automatically get free checked bags with United.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Data obtained September 2021. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
Bottom line
United offers a variety of ways to avoid baggage fees. The easiest methods include upgrading your fare class and getting a United credit card.
If getting free checked bags is a deal breaker for you, consider booking with Southwest. It gives all customers two checked bags for free, regardless of the ticket you buy. You might also compare other airline credit cards to find a company you’ll fly with on the regular.
Pictures: Getty Images
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Kevin Chen is a personal finance expert and a former writer at Finder. His expertise has been featured in CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com, among other top media.
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