United Checked Bag Policy 2026 | Fees & Size Limits

Knowing the united checked bag policy before you pack can save real money. United raised its checked bag fees for tickets purchased on or after April 3, 2026: the first checked bag now costs $45 prepaid online or $50 at the airport on most domestic routes.

Standard Economy bags are capped at 62 linear inches and 50 pounds. Exceed either number and overweight or oversize surcharges stack on top of the bag fee. This guide covers every fee, limit, and free-bag exception.

Flying a different airline? Our Frontier checked bag policy guide covers Frontier’s stricter 40-lb limit, 62-linear-inch cap, and dynamic per-direction pricing.

Quick Answer

Official Policy Verification & Source Check

• Official source: United Airlines “Bags” page — united.com/en/us/fly/baggage.html (includes United’s Baggage Fee Calculator for exact route fees)
• Source type: Official airline website
• Last checked: October 22, 2026 (page verified live; carry-on and personal item dimensions confirmed on the official page)
• Confidence level: High — figures reflect United’s announced increase for tickets purchased on or after April 3, 2026, corroborated by current industry reports citing United’s announcement
• Notes on conflicting figures: Older pages and Google AI Overview summaries may still show pre-April-2026 figures — first bag $35 prepaid / $40 at airport, second $45 / $50, third $150. Those are outdated. Current figures: first bag $45 / $50, second $55 / $60, third $200 in most markets.

How We Check This Policy: We start with United’s official baggage page and United’s own fee announcements, then cross-check against Google’s AI Overview summary and current travel guides. When the official figure and the AI summary disagree, we publish the official figure and name the AI Overview’s conflicting figure above. Always confirm your exact fee in United’s Baggage Fee Calculator before you fly.

What Makes United Checked Bag Policy Different

United’s pricing rewards early payment: prepaying online at least 24 hours before departure saves $5 per bag on the first two checked bags. That discount is simple, but it punishes last-minute packers and anyone who only decides at the airport.

After all three major US carriers matched each other’s increases, United’s fees are effectively identical to Delta and American. United’s real differentiator is its credit-card ecosystem — a United Chase card erases the first-bag fee entirely, which no competitor perk matches quite as simply on leisure routes.

United is also strict about measuring. Wheels and handles count toward the 62-inch total, and a bulging 63-inch suitcase triggers a $200 oversize charge on top of the bag fee. A luggage scale and a tape measure are the cheapest travel insurance you can buy.

Checked Baggage Allowances and Fees

What a Compliant Checked Bag Looks Like

A compliant United checked bag is a standard 28-inch suitcase or smaller within 62 total inches and 50 pounds. Agents weigh every bag at check-in, so pack to 48–49 pounds to leave a buffer for scale calibration.

Measure at home with a tape measure: length plus width plus height, wheels and handles included. Bags marketed as “62-inch compliant” often cut it close, so verify the manufacturer’s stated dimensions.

Carry-On and Personal Items

United’s official page confirms one free carry-on plus one free personal item on most flights: 9 x 14 x 22 inches for the carry-on, 9 x 10 x 17 inches for the personal item. Basic Economy is the exception on domestic and short-haul routes — one personal item only.

Bring a full-size carry-on to the gate on Basic Economy and United checks it for the standard bag fee plus a $25 gate handling charge. Premier members and qualifying card holders are exempt from this restriction.

Overweight and Oversize Charges

These surcharges are added on top of the standard bag fee and stack with each other. A 65-pound, 66-inch bag costs the bag fee plus $100 overweight plus $200 oversize. Repacking or splitting a heavy bag is almost always cheaper.

Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 1K members get a 70-pound limit even in Economy. Active-duty military on official business may check bags up to 115 linear inches.

Who Gets Free Checked Bags

• Premier Silver: first bag free
• Premier Gold and Platinum: first and second bags free
• Premier 1K: first, second, and third bags free
• Qualifying United credit cards: free first bag for the primary cardmember
• Active-duty US military: free bags with valid military ID
• Premium cabin passengers: first two bags free, up to 70 lbs each

The Airport Baggage Process

Check in online or in the United app up to 24 hours before departure, and prepay for bags there at the cheaper online rate. Drop prepaid bags at the bag-drop counter or a curbside station. The agent weighs each bag and retags it to your boarding pass.

Checked bags are screened by automated explosive-detection equipment. If manual inspection is needed, the TSA opens your suitcase — another reason to use TSA-approved locks. Arrive 2 hours before domestic and 3 hours before international flights when checking bags; bag-drop counters typically close 45–60 minutes before departure.

Track your checked bags in the United app from drop-off to carousel. If a bag is delayed, report it at the baggage service office before leaving the airport — United usually delivers delayed domestic bags within 24 hours. On single tickets, bags transfer automatically; on separate tickets you must claim and recheck at the connection, and all US arrivals require claiming bags for customs.

What You Cannot Pack in Checked Bags

Spare lithium batteries and power banks must go in your carry-on — United will not accept a checked bag containing a loose lithium battery. Batteries installed in devices are fine. Federal law also bans fireworks, flammable paints and solvents, compressed oxygen bottles, and defense sprays from checked luggage.

Firearms are allowed only when unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, and declared at check-in. Check United’s dangerous goods page or the TSA “What Can I Bring” list before packing anything questionable.

Prohibited Items

• Spare lithium batteries and power banks (carry-on only)
• Fireworks, flares, and explosive materials
• Flammable liquids, paints, and solvents
• Compressed gas cylinders and oxygen bottles without medical approval
• Defense sprays, mace, and tasers
• Undeclared or improperly packed firearms
• Bags over 100 lbs or 115 linear inches (refused entirely)

Packing Strategy to Avoid Extra Fees

• Prepay online 24+ hours early: saves $5 per bag on the first two checked bags.
• Weigh every bag at home: a $10 luggage scale pays for itself the first time it catches a 52-pound bag.
• Measure with wheels and handles: United includes them in the 62-inch total.
• Split heavy loads: two 45-pound bags cost far less than one 60-pound bag with a $100 surcharge.
• Carry batteries and valuables with you: spare lithium batteries are banned from checked bags.
• Use the Baggage Fee Calculator: international and partner routes differ; the official calculator removes guesswork.

Category-Specific Packing Tips

Budget leisure travelers: Basic Economy includes only a personal item on domestic routes. One prepaid checked bag is usually cheaper than upgrading your fare. Prepay it online to save $5.

Business travelers: Premium cabin fares include two free 70-pound bags. For frequent Economy flyers, a United Chase card’s free first bag plus Premier Silver’s 70-pound limit is a powerful combination.

Families with kids: Children, including infants, get the standard checked allowance plus one free stroller or car seat. Diaper bags, breast pumps, and child restraint seats do not count against the carry-on allowance.

Ski and sports travelers: Ski equipment has its own fee rules and packing requirements — see our United Ski Bag Policy Guide for the full breakdown of how skis, boots, and snowboards count toward your checked allowance.

Before You Go Checklist

• ☐ Confirm your fare type and ticket purchase date (April 3, 2026 increase applies to newer tickets)
• ☐ Prepay checked bags online 24+ hours before departure
• ☐ Weigh each bag — 50 lbs max (70 lbs premium cabins and elites)
• ☐ Measure length + width + height with wheels and handles — 62 inches max
• ☐ Move spare lithium batteries and valuables to your carry-on
• ☐ Check free-bag eligibility (status, United card, military, premium cabin)
• ☐ Run your route through United’s Baggage Fee Calculator
• ☐ Arrive 2 hours early domestic / 3 hours early international when checking bags

FAQs

How much is a checked bag on United Airlines in 2026?

For tickets purchased on or after April 3, 2026, the first checked bag is $45 prepaid online or $50 at the airport on most domestic routes. The second is $55 / $60, and the third is $200. Confirm your exact fee in United’s Baggage Fee Calculator.

What is the weight limit for United checked bags?

Economy bags must weigh 50 lbs (23 kg) or less. Business, First, Polaris, and Premier members get 70 lbs (32 kg). Bags over 100 lbs are not accepted.

What is the size limit for United checked bags?

62 linear inches total (length + width + height), including wheels and handles. Bags from 63 to 115 inches incur a $200 oversize fee; over 115 inches are refused.

Can I get a free checked bag on United?

Yes — Premier members, qualifying United card holders, active-duty military, and premium-cabin passengers all get at least one free checked bag. Premier 1K gets three free.

Is it cheaper to prepay for bags on United?

Yes. Prepaying online 24+ hours ahead saves $5 per bag on the first two: $45 vs $50 for the first, $55 vs $60 for the second. The $200 third-bag fee is the same online or at the airport.

Does United charge for carry-on bags?

Standard Economy and above get one free carry-on (9 x 14 x 22 in) plus a personal item (9 x 10 x 17 in). Basic Economy on domestic and short-haul routes gets only a personal item; a gate-checked carry-on costs the bag fee plus $25.

Related Bag Policies

• United Ski Bag Policy Guide
• Delta Ski Bag Policy Guide
• Southwest Ski Bag Policy Guide
• Southwest Airline Bag Policy Guide

Conclusion

United’s checked bag policy rewards planning. Prepaying online, weighing bags at home, and measuring the 62-inch total keep you at the $45 first-bag baseline instead of stacking $100 overweight and $200 oversize surcharges on top of it.

The April 2026 increase made checked bags noticeably pricier than a year ago, but the waivers are generous. Check your status, card, and cabin eligibility before you pay, confirm your route in the official Baggage Fee Calculator, and pack to the 50-pound, 62-inch standard.