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United Airlines realizes that at times it may be necessary to travel with an item that exceeds the size or weight limitations or is in excess of the baggage allowance. Additional charges apply to this type of baggage.
Any piece over the baggage allowance or baggage that exceeds the size and/or weight limitations will be subject to additional charges. Excess baggage is transported on a space-available basis and will be carried subject to load capacities of the aircraft. Other restrictions may apply.
For areas not listed below, contact United Reservations to obtain specific rates based on number of pieces and size of bags.
Baggage in excess of 100 pounds (45 kilograms) or 115 linear inches (292 cm)(total length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage.
Assistive devices, including electric wheelchairs weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms), will continue to be accepted at no charge.
How a bag is measured
A bag will be weighed and measured to ensure that it meets the dimensional requirements for shipping. Baggage is measured by length + width + height, including wheels and handle. The dimensions of each measurement are added together to compose the total number of linear inches/centimeters. The measurements for each dimension will be taken from the thickest or widest part of the bag.
Active U.S. military and their accompanying dependents on personal travel are allowed:
- Three bags up to 70 pounds each with a maximum dimension of 62 linear inches without excess or overweight charges being assessed.
U.S. military personnel on orders and U.S. military personnel/dependents on orders for relocation are allowed:
- Four bags up to 70 pounds each in United Economy® and five bags up to 70 pounds each in United Business®, United BusinessFirst®, United First® and United Global FirstSM with a maximum dimension of 115 linear inches without excess, overweight or oversize charges being assessed.
Baggage connecting to other airlines will also be subject to the connecting airline's excess charges and/or oversize, overweight charges in addition to United Airlines charges.
All charges are calculated on a one-way basis and are collected at the airport check-in counter.
These charges cannot be waived.
These rates only apply during non-embargo periods.
Additional baggage
Customers who travel with checked baggage in excess of the baggage allowance will be charged $100 per piece for travel within the U.S., and between the U.S. and Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For travel to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America, checked baggage in excess of the baggage allowance will be charged $150 per piece. For travel to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Micronesia baggage in excess of the allowance will be charged $200 per piece.
Additional, overweight and oversize charges are accumulative per piece.
Note: For travel between the U.S. and Brazil, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, no more than three additional pieces will be accepted.
Overweight baggage
The following customers are allowed baggage with a weight not to exceed 70 pounds:
- Customers ticketed and confirmed in United BusinessFirst, United Business, United First, United Global First or Latin Business, at time of baggage check-in
- Star Alliance Gold members, including MileagePlus® Premier® Gold, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K®
- Active U.S. military personnel, whether or not they are traveling on military orders
- U.S. military dependents traveling with military personnel, and without military personnel when on military business.
- All customers traveling to and from Brazil
All other customers traveling within the U.S., and between the U.S. and Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands with checked baggage weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and not exceeding 70 pounds (32 kg) will be charged at the rate of $100 per piece. Bags exceeding 70 pounds (32 kg), but less than 100 pounds (45 kg) will be charged $200 per piece.
Customers traveling to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America (except Brazil) with checked baggage weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kg), but not exceeding 70 pounds (32 kg) will be charged at the rate of $200 per piece. For bags exceeding 70 pounds (32 kg), but less than 100 pounds (45 kg), the rate charged will be $400 per piece. Brazil is subject to charges for baggage exceeding 70 pounds (32 kg).
These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or oversized baggage. Baggage weighing 100 pounds (45 kg) or more will not be accepted as checked baggage.
Note: Baggage checked to Lima, Peru, is limited to 70 pounds (32 kg) per piece.
Oversized baggage
- Customers who travel with checked baggage exceeding 62 linear inches (158 cm) (total length + width + height) will be charged at the rate of $100 per piece for travel within the U.S., and between the U.S. and Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Customers traveling to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Asia, Australia, Micronesia, Europe, the Middle East or Africa with oversize baggage will be charged at the rate of $200 per piece.
- These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or overweight baggage.
- Baggage measuring more than 115 inches (292 cm) (total outside dimensions; length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage.
Note: All excess baggage to Ecuador is subject to government taxation.
Note: Baggage allowances for United's codeshare partners or ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. dba United Express may be different. If your itinerary includes any of these carriers, please contact a United representative for additional information.