United Airlines Baggage Allowance, Fees & How to Add Extra Baggage

UA / UAL · United States

Purchase additional checked baggage for United Airlines flights. Prepay online more than 24 hours before departure to save $5 per bag on domestic, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean routes. Fees vary by destination, fare class, and number of bags. Use the official links below to review baggage rules, booking access, and related airline services.

Baggage Policy Official website

Updated Aug 28, 2026

United Airlines Baggage Allowance

Free checked and carry-on baggage allowances by cabin class and route. Allowances vary by route, ticket type, and frequent flyer status — always confirm with the official baggage policy before you fly.

Checked baggage

Most flights require paid checked bags — amount varies by route, cabin and ticketing date via Baggage Fee Calculator; 1 free checked bag on most international flights across the Pacific per Basic Economy page.

Label	Amount	Notes
Most flights (Domestic, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, short Latin America; and Basic Economy on South America/Atlantic)	No free checked baggage	Checked bags page verbatim: 'Depending on where and how you travel, you may have to pay to check your bag. Use our baggage fee calculator to see how much it’ll cost.' Basic Economy page verbatim under Checked bags: 'On all other flights, you'll have to pay.' Bag fees for tickets purchased on or after April 3, 2026 start at $45 if you prepay, $50 in the lobby and $75 at the gate (before Apr 3, 2026: $35/$40/$65). Size limit verbatim: 30 in x 20 in x 12 in (76 cm x 52 cm x 30 cm) or 62 total in., including handles and wheels. Use Baggage Fee Calculator for your specific route/cabin/ticket date.
Most international flights across the Pacific	1 checked bag	Basic Economy page verbatim under Checked bags: 'On most international flights across the Pacific, you’ll get one free checked bag.' Wording is under Basic Economy section and carries the qualifier 'most' — check calculator for your specific Pacific flight. Weight limit verbatim from checked bags page Weights by cabin: 50 pounds (23 kilograms) per bag in Economy/Premium Economy; 70 pounds (32 kilograms) in Business/First/Polaris. Weight note applies to this free bag as well.

Carry-on baggage

1 carry-on + 1 personal item free on most domestic and international flights; Basic Economy restricted to personal item on most routes with specific long-haul exceptions.

Label	Amount	Notes
Standard Economy (and Premium Economy/Business/First when not Basic Economy) — All routes	1 carry-on bag (9 in x 14 in x 22 in / 23 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) + 1 personal item (9 in x 10 in x 17 in / 22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm)	Carry-on bags page verbatim: 'You can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item for free on most domestic and international flights. But there are a few rules you’ll need to follow.' Size verbatim: Carry-on must fit in overhead bin — 9 in x 14 in x 22 in (23 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) including handle and wheels; Personal item must fit under seat in front — 9 in x 10 in x 17 in (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm) (common items: purses, backpacks, laptop bags). Carry-on page also: 'You can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on your flight if you’re not traveling in Basic Economy.' and 'Any bags in addition to your carry-on and personal item, or carry-on bags over the size limit, will need to be checked. If you do have to check bags you may have to pay a fee.'
Basic Economy — Most flights (Domestic, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, short international)	1 personal item only (9 in x 10 in x 17 in / 22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm)	Carry-on bags page Basic Economy bag limits verbatim: 'For most trips you can only bring one personal item when you’re flying in Basic Economy. You can’t bring a carry-on bag unless you’re flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific. All other bags have to be checked.' Basic Economy page verbatim under Bag rules — Carry-on bag: 'On all other flights, you’ll have to check your carry-on bag. You cannot bring it with you onboard.' Personal item verbatim: 'You can travel with one personal item, like a shoulder bag, backpack, or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front of you.' Fee if carry-on must be checked at airport/gate: For tickets purchased on or after April 3, 2026, bag fees start at $45 if you prepay, $50 in the lobby and $75 at the gate; before Apr 3, 2026: $35/$40/$65 (Carry-on and Basic Economy pages).
Basic Economy — Flights to South America, across the Atlantic, across the Pacific (and Canada if ticket before 5/28/2025)	1 carry-on bag (9 in x 14 in x 22 in / 23 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) + 1 personal item (9 in x 10 in x 17 in / 22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm)	Basic Economy page verbatim under Bag rules — Carry-on bag: 'Carry-on bags are free on flights* to South America, across the Atlantic and to international destinations across the Pacific.' Footnote verbatim: '*If you’re flying to Canada and bought your ticket before 5/28/2025, you’ll get a free carry-on bag.' Carry-on bags page cross-check repeats the same long-haul exception under Basic Economy bag limits.

How to Add Extra Baggage & Prices on United Airlines

Buy Baggage

Go to united.com and click 'My Trips' (or visit united.com/en/us/mytrips.html)
Enter your confirmation number and last name to access your booking
Select the 'Add bags' or 'Baggage' option for your itinerary
Choose the number of bags to add and review the applicable fees
Complete payment with a credit or debit card
Receive confirmation of your prepaid baggage allowance

Prices

Fees for first, second, and additional checked bags vary by route and fare class. Prices shown are one-way, prepaid (more than 24 hours before departure) for domestic US, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean routes as of April 2026.

Label	Amount	Notes
First bag (domestic/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean)	$45	$50 if purchased within 24 hours of flight or at airport Free on standard economy fares to Europe, Asia, South America, Middle East, and Africa $75 on basic economy fares to Europe
Second bag (domestic/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean)	$55	$60 if purchased within 24 hours of flight or at airport $100 on economy fares to Europe and South America Free on standard economy fares to Asia and Middle East/Africa
Third and additional bags (domestic)	$200	Same price prepaid or at airport $150 on some domestic routes (e.g., Newark to Chicago) $200 on economy fares to Europe $150 on economy fares to South America $300 on economy fares to India

Standard weight limit is 50 lbs (23 kg) for economy fares. Premium cabin and elite status passengers get 70 lbs (32 kg) allowance.

Label	Amount	Notes
51-70 lbs (24-32 kg)	$100-$300	$100 on most domestic routes $200 on international routes (e.g., Europe-US) Up to $300 on certain long-haul routes Waived for bags up to 70 lbs for Premium Plus, Business, First class, and elite status members
71-100 lbs (33-46 kg)	$200-$400	$200 on most domestic routes Up to $400 on certain international routes Bags over 100 lbs are not accepted

Passengers who wait to pay for bags at the airport or within 24 hours of departure pay higher fees.

Label	Amount	Notes
First bag at airport (domestic)	$50	$5 more than prepaid price ($45 prepaid) Applies to US domestic, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean routes
Second bag at airport (domestic)	$60	$5 more than prepaid price ($55 prepaid) Applies to US domestic, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean routes

FAQ

Can I buy extra baggage online after booking?

Yes. You can add bags anytime after booking through My Trips on united.com or the United app. Prepaying more than 24 hours before departure saves $5 per bag on domestic, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean routes.

Where can I purchase extra baggage?

Extra baggage can be purchased through My Trips on united.com, the United mobile app, during online check-in, at a United self-service kiosk, or at the airport ticket counter.

When is the best time to buy extra baggage?

Purchase more than 24 hours before your flight to get the prepaid discount ($5 off per bag on eligible routes). Fees increase within 24 hours of departure and at the airport.

How does United's baggage pricing work?

Baggage fees are charged per bag, one-way, and vary by route, fare class (Basic Economy vs. Economy vs. premium cabins), and number of bags. The first two bags on domestic routes cost $45/$55 prepaid. Third and additional bags cost $200. International routes may include free bags depending on destination and fare class.

Is it cheaper to buy baggage online vs. at the airport?

Yes. Prepaying online more than 24 hours before departure saves $5 per bag on domestic, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean routes. First bag: $45 prepaid vs. $50 at airport. Second bag: $55 prepaid vs. $60 at airport.

What are the size and weight limits for checked bags?

Standard checked bags must not exceed 62 linear inches (157 cm) and 50 lbs (23 kg). Premium cabin passengers and elite status members can check bags up to 70 lbs (32 kg). Bags over 100 lbs or 115 linear inches are not accepted.

What happens if my bag is both overweight and oversized?

Each charge applies separately. For example, a bag that is both overweight (51-70 lbs) and oversized (63-115 linear inches) would incur both the overweight fee ($100-$300) and the oversized fee ($200).

Do baggage fees apply the same on partner airline flights?

Baggage allowances and fees may differ on flights operated by partner airlines or on codeshare flights. Check your specific itinerary for applicable rules. Some routes have temporary or permanent excess baggage embargoes.

What payment methods are accepted for baggage fees?

United accepts major credit and debit cards for prepaid baggage purchases online and through the app. At the airport, payment can be made at ticket counters and self-service kiosks.

Who gets free or discounted baggage on United?

Free checked bags are available for: Premium Plus, Business, and First class passengers (2 free bags); MileagePlus elite status members; Star Alliance Gold members; active duty and retired US military personnel (2 free bags); United co-branded credit card holders (at least 1 free bag when flight is paid with the card). Basic Economy passengers on trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, Canada, and South America routes also get full carry-on allowance.

Related airlines

Explore more airline baggage pages to compare rules, fees, and official service links.

Alaska Airlines Allegiant Air American Airlines Avelo Airlines Breeze Airways Delta Air Lines