Leverage credit cards, elite status and premium fare classes.
Like most carriers, United Airlines charges baggage fees that can get expensive — especially if you take several flights each year and don’t pack light.
Find out how to get around these fees using certain credit cards, earning elite status or by flying premium fare classes.
How do I get a free checked bag on United Airlines?
Airlines largely offer similar ways to avoid baggage fees, and United is no exception. However, with United as one of the largest carriers in the world, it offers an extra method: elite status in an airline alliance.
Here’s how to get free checked baggage on flights operated by United and United Express:
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Get a United Airlines credit card.
Four of the airline’s cards offer complimentary checked bags. -
Get a credit card with travel credits.
With travel credits, you can charge baggage fees, in-flight purchases, seat upgrades and more to your card, then get reimbursed on your card bill. -
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.
See more: Complimentary baggage allowance for MileagePlus Premier members
| Premier Silver | Premier Gold | Premier Platinum | Premier 1K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Economy travel between US and:
|
1 bag | 2 bags | 3 bags | 3 bags |
Economy travel between the US and:
|
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 |
Data obtained April 2019. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
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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. -
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.
Guide to the Star Alliance Global Airline Network
How much does it usually cost to check a bag on United Airlines?
These rates apply to bags of up to 50 pounds with maximum linear dimensions of 62 inches. You’ll pay extra if your bags are oversized or overweight.
Baggage fees for flights within the United States
| First bag | Second bag | Each additional bag |
|---|---|---|
| $30 | $40 | $150 |
Data obtained April 2019. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
Use the United Airlines baggage fee calculator to see how much you’ll pay
United Airlines doesn’t publish an extensive table of baggage fees. But you can use its fee calculator to see how much you’ll pay.
If you’ve already booked a flight, you can log in to your MileagePlus account or input your flight confirmation number. The calculator will show you baggage fees based on your route.
On the “Any flights” tab, you can see baggage fees on a route of your choice.
How to get a free checked bag with a United Airlines credit card
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℠ Explorer Business Card | First bag free | $0 intro annual fee, then $95 |
| United MileagePlus® Club card | First and second bag free | $450 annual fee |
| United MileagePlus® Club Business 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.
Baggage fees with Delta credit cards vs. United credit cards
Almost every Delta credit card offers a checked baggage benefit. However, each card lets you check only one bag. Meanwhile, United’s premium credit cards let you check up to two bags.
To be fair, Delta’s higher-tier cards offer annual companion certificates, which could be worth hundreds of dollars a year. United’s cards don’t offer these perks.
Compare credit cards that offer free checked bags on United Airlines
United credit cards offer airline-specific benefits such as savings on inflight purchases, priority boarding and United Club access. But if you don’t fly with the carrier often, these perks might not be very valuable.
You might like a general travel card, which could offer strong rewards on everyday purchases. If the card offers travel credits, you can use them for charges such as baggage fees and in-flight purchases.
Our pick for baggage credit with no annual fee
How do I get a free checked bag on United Airlines?
Read more about how to get free checked bags
Bottom line
United offers a variety of ways to avoid baggage fees. The easiest methods include upgrading your fare class and getting a United card.
If you’re not sure a United card is right for you, consider other airline credit cards.
Frequently asked questions
Pictures: Getty Images
