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If you're going on a long trip — or you like to bring a few extra outfits — you'll likely want to check a bag when you fly with United Airlines. Unfortunately, you'll typically need to pay a checked bag fee to do so. These can range anywhere from $35 to $100, depending on your route, fare class, number of bags, and when you purchase your bag.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to save on the high cost of checking a bag. Let's dive into the details and cover how to avoid expensive bag fees.
Page Contents
What Does United Airlines Charge for Checked Bags?
If you have to purchase a checked bag for your United flight, it's better to do it in advance. For domestic flights, you'll save $5 by prepaying for your bag rather than paying at the airport.
United bag fees for domestic flights
United charges the below rates for flights within the U.S. and to much of Central America and the Caribbean. However, you'll want to consult United's checked bag fee calculator for the most up-to-date pricing, as it can vary by route.
| Fare class | First checked bag | Second checked bag | Weight allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | $35 prepaid $40 at the airport | $45 prepaid $50 at the airport | 50lbs/23kg |
| Premium Economy | $0 | $0 | 50lbs/23kg |
| Business or First | $0 | $0 | 70lbs/32kg |
United bag fees for international flights
International flights are a little less cut and dry than domestic ones. There will be variability between destinations, even within the same market. So, the table below is an estimation. We selected cities on each continent to develop the chart to use as a guideline, but you'll want to check your specific route for the most accurate information.
For instance, if you book a United basic economy ticket from Chicago (ORD) to Tokyo (NRT), you can bring one checked bag for free, and your second checked bag for $100. However, if you fly basic economy to Bangkok (BKK) instead, you'll pay $45 for your first bag and $65 for your second.
| Fare class | Destination | First checked bag | Second checked bag | Weight allowance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Economy | Europe | $75 | $100 | 50lbs/23kg |
| Basic Economy | South America | $70 | $100 | 50lbs/23kg |
| Basic Economy | Africa | $75 | $100 | 50lbs/23kg |
| Basic Economy | Australia | Free | $100 | 50lbs/23kg |
| Basic Economy | Asia | Free | $100 | 50lbs/23kg |
| Economy | Europe | Free | $100 | 50lbs/23kg |
| Economy | South America | Free | $100 | 50lbs/23kg |
| Economy | Africa | Free | $100 | 50lbs/23kg |
| Economy | Australia | Free | $100 | 50lbs/23kg |
| Economy | Asia | Free | Free | 50lbs/23kg |
| Premium Economy | All routes | Free | Free | 50lbs/23kg |
| Business or first | All routes | Free | Free | 70lbs/32kg |
How to Check Bags With United for Free
If you don't want to pay United's bag fees, we can't blame you. There are a few ways to avoid them.
Carry a United credit card
Applying for a Chase-issued United credit card is going to be the easiest way to avoid paying checked bag fees on United Airlines. Most United credit cards offer cardholders and a companion on the same reservation at least one complimentary checked bag on United-operated flights.
Here are your options:
- United Gateway℠ Card (Rates & Fees): Earn 2 checked bags after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year.
- United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees) and United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees): First checked bag free for yourself and one companion on the same reservation.
- United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees): First and second checked bags free for yourself and one companion on the same reservation.
- United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees) and United Club℠ Business Card: First and second checked bags free for yourself and one companion on the same reservation.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150Rates & Fees
- 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
$350Rates & Fees
- 5 miles per $1 spent at Renowned Hotels and Resorts
- 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants
- 2 miles per $1 spent on select streaming services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
$695Rates & Fees
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Earn elite status
You can also avoid checked bag fees on United by having MileagePlus Premier elite status — or a Star Alliance Gold-equivalent level of status with another Star Alliance carrier. Premier members get at least one free checked bag for themselves and up to nine companions traveling on the same reservation.
- First checked bag free: Premier Silver
- Two free checked bags: Premier Gold, Star Alliance Gold-equivalents
- Three free checked bags: Premier Platinum, Premier 1K
If your route already includes a checked bag, your Premier baggage is in addition to the standard baggage allowance. For instance, a non-elite traveling on a domestic itinerary would typically need to pay $35 to check a bag.
If you are a Premier Silver member, you get one free checked bag. However, a non-elite traveling between the U.S. and Europe would already get one checked bag. On this route, a Premier Silver member would receive two free checked bags.
Book an eligible fare
If you want to guarantee a free checked bag as a non-elite or non-cardmember, you'll need to book a premium fare. Premium economy, business, and first class tickets all come with at least one checked bag. You'll have to do your own cost-benefit analysis to determine if the increased cost of a premium ticket justifies the additional perks.
For instance, a first class ticket could be substantially more than an economy seat. If you don't value the seat itself and are only concerned with the checked bag, you might be better off booking a cheaper ticket and paying for the bag.
Use a credit card travel credit or airline fee credit
The final way to cover the cost of a checked bag is to pay for it with a credit card that offers an airline incidental fee credit. There are several cards on the market that offer a credit in some form, ranging from the $95 annual fee Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card(Rates & Fees) to the $895 annual fee American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees).
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's $600 toward your next trip.
- Earn unlimited 5X points with hotels, 4X points with airlines, 3X points on restaurants and other travel, and 1X points on other purchases.
- $95 annual fee.
- Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
- Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
- Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- 5X points per $1 spent with hotels
- 4X points per $1 spent with airlines
- 3X points per $1 spent on other travel and restaurants
- 1X points per $1 spent on other purchases
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card offers one of the most lucrative airline incidental credits on the market in exchange for a $550 annual fee. Each year, you can get up to $300 back as statement credits for qualifying airline purchases, including baggage.
If you frequently travel and are tired of paying for a checked bag, this could be a solid option. Assuming you prepay for your first checked bag with United to get the $35 rate, you could take eight one-way flights or four round-trip journeys and use your statement credit to cover your fee each time.
- 2 points for every dollar spent on travel and dining purchases
- 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases
And we can't discuss airline incidental fee credits without mentioning the Platinum Card®. Cardholders receive up to $200 in statement credit each year for incidentals (such as airline baggage fees) on their choice of airline. And United is one of the eligible airlines. Just select United as your preferred airline and charge your baggage to your card to get reimbursed.
Related: How To Change Your Preferred Airline for the Amex Airline Fee Credit
(Terms apply)
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
Final Thoughts
Checked bag fees are frustrating, but fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get around them. If you want to avoid a checked bag fee while flying in United economy, you'll need to either have elite status or a United credit card. You can also always splurge for a premium ticket to receive even more luxe benefits apart from a checked bag.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: United Gateway℠ Card (Rates & Fees), United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees), United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees), and American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees)
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