How to get free checked bags on United Airlines

Here’s how to get free checked bags on United flights:

• 1 checked bag is free for those with the United℠ Explorer Card or United℠ Business Card.
• 2 checked bags are free for those with the United Club℠ Infinite Card.
• 1-3 checked bags are free for United elite status tiers and Star Alliance Gold members, varying by domestic and international itineraries.

You can also get free checked bags by flying premium fare classes, flying to certain destinations and if you’re active military personnel.

How do I get a free checked bag on United Airlines?

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 1 to 3 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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

See more: Complimentary baggage allowance for MileagePlus Premier members

Data obtained July 2020. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.

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

Data obtained July 2020. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.

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.

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.

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 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.

{"niche":"USCCF"}

Sort by:

Name	Product	Filter values	Rewards	Purchase APR	Annual fee
United℠ Explorer Card			2x miles at restaurants, hotels and United and 1.5x miles on all other purchases	16.49% to 23.49% variable	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)	See offer View details	40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United Club℠ Infinite Card			4x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on travel and dining and 1x miles on all other purchases	16.49% to 23.49% variable	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($525 thereafter)	See offer View details	Get United Club membership with access for you and two guests at any United Club or Star Alliance lounge -- a value of up to $650 annually.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United℠ Business Card			Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, at gas stations, office supply stores, restaurants (including eligible delivery services), and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.	16.49% to 23.49% variable	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)	Apply now View details	Earn 60,000 bonus miles after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, get a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Clear selection

Compare

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

• How much will I pay for an overweight bag?

  On domestic flights, you’ll pay $100 extra per bag that is 51 to 70 pounds. You’ll pay $200 extra per bag that is 71 to 100 pounds.

  United doesn’t accept bags that exceed 100 pounds.

• How much will I pay for an oversized bag?

  On domestic flights, you’ll pay $200 per oversized bag. United doesn’t accept bags that exceed 115 linear inches.

• Do most airlines charge for checked baggage?

  Yes. Checked baggage fees are standard across the industry. If you don’t want to pay these costs, consider Southwest Airlines: It waives fees on your first two checked bags per flight.

Pictures: Getty Images