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United Airlines Contract of Carriage Summary
The summary of the United Airlines contract of carriage is listed below. We also have the entire Contract of Carriage document available online.

Incorporated terms
Domestic and international air transportation provided by United Airlines or a United Express carrier (collectively, UA Carrier or "United")is subject to terms which are herein incorporated by reference and made part of the contract of carriage. Incorporated terms include, but are not limited to provisions contained in this document and on the electronic ticket record, applicable tariffs, government treaties, the UA Carriers conditions of carriage and related regulations, policies and procedures, and the following:
  1. Limits on liability for delay, damage or loss of baggage, including fragile or perishable goods.
  2. Claims restrictions, including time periods within which a passenger must file a claim or bring an action against the UA Carrier.
  3. The UA Carriers rights to change terms of the contract of carriage.
  4. Rules on reconfirmation of reservations, check-in times and refusal to carry.
  5. The UA Carriers rights and limits on liability for delay or failure to perform service, including schedule changes, substitution of alternate air carrier or aircraft or mode of travel and rerouting.
You may inspect the full text of these terms at any of our airport or city ticket offices. For a free copy, write to United Airlines, Customer Relations, P.O. Box 66100, Chicago, Illinois 60666-0100.

Notice
If the passenger's journey involves an ultimate destination or stop in a country other than the country of departure, the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal Convention may apply to their entire trip, including any portion entirely within the country of origin or destination, and these Conventions may limit the liability of carriers for death or bodily injury, passenger delay and in respect of loss or damage to baggage. Many air carriers, including United, have waived the Warsaw Convention monetary limits for compensatory damage arising from an accident as defined by the applicable treaty resulting in death or bodily injury. Further information may be obtained from the carrier.

Passenger liability
For those international travels subject to the Warsaw Convention, including special contracts of carriage embodied in applicable tariffs, and/or the Montreal Convention, the UA Carrier agrees that its liability for recoverable compensatory damages for the death of or personal injury to passengers shall not be limited. However, the UA Carrier reserves all defenses available to such claims. With respect to third parties, the UA Carrier reserves all rights or recourse against any other person, including without limitation, rights of contribution and indemnity.

Baggage liability
For travel wholly between points in the U.S., United will not be liable for loss of money, jewelry, cameras, negotiable papers/securities, electronic/video/photographic equipment, heirlooms, antiques, artifacts, works of art, silverware, irreplaceable books/publications/manuscripts/business documents, precious metals and other similar valuable and commercial effects. United prohibits the foregoing items being placed in checked baggage for travel wholly between points in the U.S. as well as for international transportation.

International
For those international travels, including the domestic portions, subject to the Warsaw Convention, the liability limit for delay, damage or loss is approximately $9.07 per pound ($20 per kg) up to $635 USD per bag for checked baggage and approximately $400 USD per ticketed passenger for unchecked baggage. Where the Montreal Convention applies, the liability limit for the delay, damage or loss to checked and unchecked baggage is limited to 1,000 Special Drawing Rights per ticketed passenger. Exchange rates are available online at www.IMF.org.

Domestic
For travel wholly between U.S. points, liability for delay, damage or loss to checked baggage, including carry-on baggage if tendered to the carrier's inflight personnel for storage or otherwise delivered into the custody of the carrier is limited to a maximum of $3,300 USD per ticketed passenger.

If you wish to declare a higher value beyond the stated limit of liability, additional insurance coverage can be purchased from a private insurance company or excess value insurance can be purchased from the airline(s). For further information, please contact your airline or insurance company representative.

Overbooking of flights
United flights may be overbooked, and there is a slight chance that a seat will not be available on a flight for which a person has a confirmed reservation. If the flight is overbooked, no one will be denied a seat until United personnel first ask for volunteers willing to give up their reservation in exchange for a payment of the United's choosing. If there are not enough volunteers, United will deny boarding to other persons in accordance with its particular boarding priority. With few exceptions, persons denied boarding involuntarily are entitled to compensation. The complete rules for the payment of compensation and United's boarding priorities are available at all airport ticket counters and boarding locations.

Additional terms

If you have purchased a restricted ticket, depending on the rules acceptable to the fare paid, one or more of the following significant restrictions may apply to travel on this electronic ticket: (1) the ticket may not be refundable but can be exchanged for a fee for another restricted fare ticket meeting all the rules/restrictions of the new ticket (including the payment of any difference in fares); (2) a fee may apply for changing/canceling reservations: or (3) travel may be restricted to specific flights and/or times and minimum and/or maximum stay may be required. All other terms not set forth above that are consistent herewith and that were set forth in United's ATB Notice and Conditions of Contract Form as it existed on 6/1/95 is hereby incorporated by this reference. Each UA Carrier reserves the right to (1) refuse carriage to any person who has acquires an electronic ticket in violation of any UA Carriers tariffs, rules or regulations, or in violation of any applicable national, federal, state, or local law order, regulation or ordinance, and (2) change or modify any of its conditions of contract with or without notice to ticketed passengers.

Baggage information
Checked baggage
The number of free bags allowed (if any) will vary according to your Mileage Plus status and/or type of ticket purchased. Please view the full details of the baggage policy online.

  • For travel within the U.S, Canada and U.S. territories the maximum size and weight for each checked bag is 62 linear inches (158cm) and 50 pounds (23kg).
  • For travel to/from international points, the maximum size and weight for each checked bag will vary depending on the passenger’s itinerary. Please view the full details of the baggage policy online.
  • For your security, the Transportation Security Administration is screening all checked baggage.
Carry-on baggage
  • Carry-on baggage must fit under the seat or be stowed in an approved compartment or overhead bin (Worldwide maximum of 1 piece- plus- 1 personal item- such as purse, laptop, or briefcase)
  • Carry-on baggage may not exceed 45 linear inches for example: the outside dimensions of 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches (23 x 36 x 56 cm) and may not exceed 50 pounds (23 kg).

Excess baggage

An excess fee or handling charge will be collected for each piece of baggage over the designated standard baggage allowance and for each piece of oversize or overweight baggage. In addition, a handling charge will be collected for special items such as bicycles, surfboards, household pets, etc.

Documentation
International destinations require specific documentation (i.e., passports, visa, proof of citizenship); please contact United Reservations for country requirements. It is the customer's responsibility to obtain and have possession of all required travel documents.

Baggage tips
  • Checked baggage must have the passengers name on the outside of the bag. We also recommend that you place your name and address inside your baggage.
  • Valuable items, as well as medications or prescriptions should be carried personally by you.
  • Remove or secure hooks/straps.
  • Claim your baggage immediately upon arrival.
  • Baggage is designed to protect the contents. Scratches, nicks or dirt may appear despite care in handling. United does not assume liability for normal wear and tear to baggage.

Dangerous goods

For safety reasons dangerous goods may not be packed in checked or carry-on baggage or taken on board with you. Restricted articles include, but are not limited to: acid, matches, lighter fluid, explosives, flammable solids/liquids, oxidizing materials, corrosive materials, compressed gasses, poisons, etiologic agents, radioactive materials, irritating or incapacitating sprays, mercury or noxious materials, and briefcases and attach cases with installed alarm devices.

Firearms
Federal Regulations require that firearms in checked baggage (not allowed in carry-on) be unloaded and declared.

Language assistance
In the U.S. and Canada please dial toll free for:
Spanish 1-800-426-5561
Asian 1-800-426-5560
Hearing-impaired 1-800-323-0170

Reservations/Pre-reserved seat information
Reservations
  • Reservations are subject to cancellation if you are not at the boarding gate and available for boarding at least 20 minutes before scheduled departure for flights within the continental U.S.; 30 minutes before scheduled departure to/from Hawaii; 20 minutes before scheduled departure to/from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean; and 30 minutes before scheduled departure to/from other international locations.
  • Please cancel your reservation if there is a change in your travel plans. Failure to cancel a confirmed booking may result in automatic cancellation of your entire itinerary.

Pre-reserved seats

Pre-reserved seats are subject to release and reassignment if not claimed at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights between U.S. points other than Hawaii; 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure to/from Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean; and 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure to/from international points.

About electronic tickets
Duplicate receipts

If you have lost your original receipt, you may request a duplicate receipt at no charge if the request is made no later than 7 days after your last flight. A United Reservations office will email a duplicate or you may obtain one in person at United's Ticket counter at the airport. Beyond the 7 days, you may need to submit a written request. A fee of USD 20.00 (checks only) will apply. Refer to Written Requests for instructions.

Unused electronic tickets
  • If you have not used your electronic ticket as planned, please contact United Reservations as soon as possible.
  • Unused electronic tickets may require a written request for future use or refund, if applicable. Refer to Written Requests for instructions.

Written requests

U.S. residents may send written requests to United Airlines, Passenger Refunds-WHQAK, P.O. Box 66282, Chicago, IL 60666-0100. Non-U.S. residents may send their request to the nearest United Airlines office. Please provide the following information in your correspondence: Passengers Name, Address, Credit Card Number used for purchase, Ticket Number(s), Date of Travel, Departure City and Destination City. Allow six to eight weeks for processing.


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