United Airlines is one of the most popular airlines in the United States, offering a wide range of domestic and international flights. If you are planning to fly with United Mileage Plus, one of the most important things to know is whether you are eligible for free baggage or not. In this article, we will discuss who gets free baggage when flying with United Mileage Plus, how much baggage you can carry, and what are the baggage fees if you exceed the limit.
Who Gets Free Baggage When Flying With United Mileage Plus?
If you are a United Mileage Plus member, you may be eligible for free baggage depending on your membership level and the type of ticket you have purchased. Here are the details:
Premier Members
United Mileage Plus Premier members, including Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K, are allowed to check bags for free, depending on their membership level and the type of ticket they have purchased.
For example, Premier Silver members can check one bag for free if they have purchased a standard economy ticket. If they upgrade to a premium economy or business class ticket, they can check two bags for free. Premier Gold members can check two bags for free regardless of the ticket they have purchased, while Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members can check three bags for free.
United Mileage Plus Credit Card Holders
If you hold a United Mileage Plus credit card, you may be eligible for free checked bags depending on the type of card you have and the ticket you have purchased. The United Mileage Plus Explorer Card and United Mileage Plus Club Card both offer one free checked bag for the cardholder and one travel companion on the same reservation when you purchase your ticket with the card.
Star Alliance Gold Members
If you are a member of a Star Alliance Gold program, you may be eligible for free baggage when flying with United Mileage Plus. You can check up to two bags for free if you are flying in economy class, while business and first class passengers can check up to three bags for free.
Military Personnel
Active-duty military personnel and their dependents are allowed to check up to five bags for free when flying with United Mileage Plus. This applies to both domestic and international flights.
Other Passengers
If you are not a United Mileage Plus Premier member, a credit card holder, a Star Alliance Gold member, or military personnel, you will have to pay for your checked bags. The baggage fees depend on the route, the type of ticket you have purchased, and the weight and size of your bags.
How Much Baggage Can You Carry?
The amount of baggage you can carry when flying with United Mileage Plus depends on several factors, including your membership level, the type of ticket you have purchased, and the route you are traveling on. Here are the details:
Domestic and Short-Haul Flights
For domestic and short-haul flights, you can carry one personal item and one carry-on bag for free. The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, while the carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin. The maximum dimensions for the carry-on bag are 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
If you are a Premier member, a credit card holder, a Star Alliance Gold member, or military personnel, you may be allowed to carry additional bags for free depending on your status and the type of ticket you have purchased. Check the United Airlines website for more details.
International and Long-Haul Flights
For international and long-haul flights, the baggage allowance is more generous. You can carry one personal item, one carry-on bag, and one checked bag for free if you are traveling in economy class. The maximum weight for the checked bag is 50 pounds, and the maximum dimensions are 62 linear inches (length + width + height).
If you are a Premier member, a credit card holder, a Star Alliance Gold member, or military personnel, you may be allowed to carry additional bags for free depending on your status and the type of ticket you have purchased. Check the United Airlines website for more details.
What Are the Baggage Fees if You Exceed the Limit?
If you exceed the baggage allowance when flying with United Mileage Plus, you will have to pay additional fees. The fees depend on the route, the type of ticket you have purchased, and the weight and size of your bags. Here are some examples:
Domestic and Short-Haul Flights
If you exceed the carry-on bag limit, you will have to check your bag at the gate, and you may have to pay a fee of $35 to $40 per bag depending on the route. If you exceed the checked bag limit, you will have to pay a fee of $35 to $200 per bag depending on the route, the weight, and the number of bags.
International and Long-Haul Flights
If you exceed the carry-on bag limit, you will have to check your bag at the gate, and you may have to pay a fee of $200 to $400 per bag depending on the route. If you exceed the checked bag limit, you will have to pay a fee of $100 to $400 per bag depending on the route, the weight, and the number of bags.
Conclusion
When flying with United Mileage Plus, it is important to know who gets free baggage and how much baggage you can carry. If you are a Premier member, a credit card holder, a Star Alliance Gold member, or military personnel, you may be eligible for free baggage depending on your status and the type of ticket you have purchased. If you exceed the baggage allowance, you will have to pay additional fees. Check the United Airlines website for more details and enjoy your trip!