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U.S./Canada baggage questions
Basic details
- What is the new checked baggage policy and what is the reason for the change?
Customers who purchase domestic Economy class tickets and do not have premium status in Mileage Plus or Star Alliance may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25.00 service fee. This new checked bag policy is part of our continuing effort to offer customers choice, flexibility and low fares.
- When will the new policy go into effect?
The new policy applies to tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008.
- Do all customers have to pay to check a second bag?
No, the following customers will not be charged a service fee to check a second bag:
- Customers who have purchased Business or First class fares
- All Mileage Plus Premier members (defined as 1K, Premier Executive, Premier and Premier Associate)
- All Star Alliance Gold and Silver members
- All customers flying on the same reservation (not applicable to group bookings) as a Mileage Plus Premier member or Star Alliance Gold or Silver member regardless of frequent flier status or fare type
- Customers who buy a ticket before February 4, 2008, or who fly before May 5, 2008
- Customers whose itinerary includes a city outside the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (either as the origin or destination)
- Customers flying on flights not operated by United (UA/United Express/Ted) on a ticket purchased through United
- Customers traveling on connecting flights where the first flight is not operated by United
- Military personnel traveling with orders
- Customers flying on First and Business class Saver or Standard Award tickets, or Economy tickets where First and Business class upgrades are confirmed prior to check-in
- How much is the service fee for checking a second bag?
The fee is $25.00 for a second checked bag, per person, for each one-way trip. A one-way trip is travel from an origin airport to a destination airport, regardless of the number of stops on the way, provided the luggage is checked to the customer's final destination.
- I noticed a revision was posted to your checked baggage policy that now states refundable, government and Standard Award fares in Economy class will be charged the new fee. What happens if I have purchased one of these types of tickets?
If you purchased your ticket on or after February 4, 2008 (initial announcement date) and prior to April 4, 2008 (our revision date) and are planning to check a second bag, please see a Customer Service Representative upon check-in to ensure that the fee for checking the second bag is waived. If you have already paid the fee and believe that you should have been exempted, you may request a refund in writing by contacting us at:
United Airlines
Passenger Refunds-WHQAK
P.O. Box 66282
Chicago, IL 60666-0100
Or by phoning us toll-free at 1-888-551-6881.
- If I fly round trip and check a second bag for the whole trip, what is the service fee?
$25.00 for each way = $50.00 total
- If I check two bags for my round trip on the way out, but only check one bag on the return flight, how much will I have to pay?
$25.00 for the second bag on the first one-way trip, and since you only check one bag on the return flight there is no extra service fee. The service fee you would pay for the whole trip is $25.00.
- If the first half of my round trip itinerary occurs before May 5 and the second half is after May 5, do I still need to pay the $25.00 fee to check a second bag?
Since the second half of the itinerary occurs after the effective date, you would be charged a service fee for that portion of the trip.
- How will this impact the carry-on baggage policy?
The carry-on policy will remain the same as it is today. Please see the current Carry-on baggage page for details.
- If I purchase and pay for a second checked bag and my flight is cancelled and I don't fly, will I get a refund for the second bag service fee?
Yes, in situations where you have paid for a second bag but involuntarily do not fly, you may request a refund through United's refund process. We regret that the refund will not be initiated automatically.You may request a refund in writing by contacting us at:
United Airlines
Passenger Refunds-WHQAK
P.O. Box 66282
Chicago, IL 60666-0100
Or by phoning us toll-free at 1-888-551-6881.
- Will I receive a receipt for baggage charges?
Yes, a receipt will be provided through an EasyCheck-in Kiosk or from a Customer Service Representative at the airport at time of payment. A duplicate receipt will be available to you from the kiosk or a Customer Service Representative if the initial fee was paid at a kiosk.
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Multiple-leg itineraries
- If I am flying from Los Angeles to Washington D.C., then to London, do I have to pay a second bag service fee?
You will not be charged a fee for your second bag if your itinerary includes a city outside the U.S. and Canada as either the origin or destination, and if your domestic and international flights are booked as one reservation. However, if your flights within the U.S. and Canada are booked in a separate reservation from your international flights (i.e., Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., is in one reservation and Washington, D.C., to London is in an entirely separate reservation), you will be charged a service fee for the second bag for your flights within the U.S. and Canada.*
- I have an itinerary that includes travel on more than one airline. One flight is with a codeshare or Star Alliance partner and the other flight is with United. Whose baggage policy will apply?
The baggage policy of the airline that operates your first flight will apply. If you are traveling on two different airlines each way on a roundtrip ticket, the baggage policy of the first flight in each direction will apply.
- I am traveling on a ticket that includes travel outside of the U.S. and Canada, but I have a separate ticket for travel within the U.S. and Canada, which is on a separate itinerary issued in conjunction with my international ticket. Will the fee for the second piece of checked baggage apply while I am traveling within the U.S. and Canada on the separate ticket?
Yes. If your international itinerary is separate from your U.S. and Canada itinerary, even if both were booked at the same time, the fee for checking a second piece of baggage will apply for your travel within the U.S. and Canada.*
* U.S. and Canada includes Puerto Rico and The U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Mileage Plus
- I am a Mileage Plus member with premium status, and I used my frequent flyer miles to purchase an Economy ticket for someone who doesn't have premium status. Will the ticket holder be exempt from the second bag fee?
Since the ticket holder does not have premium status, the second bag fee will apply if he or she is not traveling on the same reservation as you or another premium status Mileage Plus member. Up to eight customers traveling on the same reservation as someone with premium status will be exempt from the second bag fee.
- I am a Mileage Plus member with premium status, traveling with others who do not have premium status. Will my travel companions be charged the second bag fee?
Up to eight customers without premium status who are traveling on the same reservation as someone with premium status will be exempt from the second bag fee. If the customer with premium status is on a separate reservation, even if the flights are the same, the second bag fee will apply to those customers who do not have premium status.
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Special checked items
- If I am traveling with my baby on my lap (I only have one ticket), and I check one bag and my child's car seat on my ticket, do I have to pay a second bag fee?
No, when traveling with a child, checking car seats and strollers will continue to be free.
- If I am medically disabled and need to check my wheelchair or other medical assistive devices in addition to my suitcase, do I need to pay a second bag service fee?
An extra wheelchair may be checked and not be part of your checked bag allowance (or assessed a fee) if it is strictly for mobility purposes or is required to make a living. Other medical assistive devices are also exempt from the service fee.
- If I check one bag and a pair of skis, do I have to pay a second bag service fee?
Yes, sports equipment counts toward your baggage allowance and you would be charged a second bag service fee if you check both your skis and another piece of baggage.If you only check your pair of skis, you would not be charged a second bag service fee.
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Additional fees
- How much will it cost to check more than two bags?
For all customers traveling on or after May 5, 2008, the cost to check up to four excess bags will be $100.00 per bag. Previous charges ranged from $85.00 to $125.00 per bag. The cost for checking more than four excess bags continues to be $200.00 per bag. Global Services, Mileage Plus 1K and Premier Executive as well as Star Alliance Gold members may continue to check up to three bags up to 70 pounds each, at no charge.
- Are there any other fees, in addition to the $25.00 second bag fee, if any of my bags are overweight?
Yes, checked baggage weighing more than 50 pounds/23 kg will be charged $100.00 per piece, in addition to any charge assessed for a second bag. Baggage weighing more than 100 pounds/45 kg will not be accepted as checked baggage.
- If I check three bags and am charged $25.00 for the second bag, will the third bag also be $25.00?
No, the third bag will be charged per the current excess baggage policy. Visit Oversized and excess baggage to view the current excess baggage charges.
- Are any other baggage fees changing?
United is simplifying the policy for bags that require special handing because they are large, overweight or fragile. Oversized bags or those that weigh more than 50 lbs. will cost $100.00 per bag. Items that are large, fragile and/or require special handling will also have new prices of either $100.00 or $200.00, depending on the item. Visit Oversized and excess baggage to view the current charges.
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