United Baggage Fees (2026)

Domestic Economy sample (San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare, from United’s calculator): 1st checked bag $45 prepaid or $50 standard; 2nd bag $55 prepaid or $60 standard. Standard checked bags: up to 50 lb (23 kg) and 62 linear in (157 cm). Basic Economy on most routes is personal item only; a forced cabin-bag check at the gate is $75 for tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026. International fees vary; use United’s own calculator for your route.

These use United's starting prices for tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026: $45 for a first checked bag if you prepay, or $50 at the airport, each way. Your route can cost more, so check United's bag fee calculator.

Solo traveler, carry-on only: $0 on a standard Economy ticket. Basic Economy usually allows a personal item only, so a carry-on has to be checked.

Round trip with 1 checked bag: $45 out plus $45 back makes $90 if you prepay. At the airport it's $50 plus $50, or $100.

One traveler, 2 checked bags, one way: a second bag was $55 prepaid or $60 at the airport on a sample route, so two bags come to $45 plus $55, or $100 prepaid, and $50 plus $60, or $110 at the airport.

Need a third bag? United accepts extra bags if there's space on the flight. Check United's bag fee calculator for the price on your trip.

Family of four, 2 checked bags, round trip: two people each check one bag. Prepaid, that's 2 bags at $45, or $90 each way, so $180 for the trip. Paying at the airport costs $50 a bag, or $100 each way. Prepaying saves $10 each way, or $20 over the trip.

More trips worked out side by side: airline bag cost examples.

Based on United’s checked bags and Basic Economy pages and its live Checked Bag Fee Calculator, plus the baggage hub. Key changes: new Basic Economy gate and prepaid prices for tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026; higher fees on many routes between the U.S. and Africa, Asia, Europe and South America for tickets bought on or after May 12, 2026; higher fees for Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and within Asia for tickets bought on or after July 21, 2026. Check international amounts in the calculator when you travel: your ticket purchase date can lock in older tables.

Domestic Economy and Basic Economy sample (San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare, from United’s official calculator). Piece fees are each way. Check the amounts for your itinerary in United’s live calculator.

Always free (within the size limits): personal item on every fare; carry-on on most fares other than Basic Economy.

Basic Economy most routes: cabin allowance is a personal item only. Checked 1st and 2nd bag prices match Economy on the domestic example unless a status, card, or military waiver applies. A forced overhead check or a failed under-seat check at the gate is $75 (tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026); $45 prepaid or $50 at airport check-in is cheaper if you decide early.

Basic Economy exceptions with a free carry-on: South America, transatlantic, transpacific (plus Canada tickets bought before May 28, 2025). Premier status, an eligible MileagePlus card or Star Alliance Gold may restore one free Basic Economy carry-on; check your card (Gateway and Select do not qualify).

Status, card and military: use the table notes. Companions on the same reservation (United publishes up to 9 for Premier) can share the Premier exemption; check United’s official wording. Military dependents on the same reservation share benefits; traveling alone without orders means normal fees.

Compared with Delta: Delta’s official domestic table shows a flat $45 for the 1st bag and $55 for the 2nd, with no separate prepaid price; Delta Basic still includes a free carry-on. United’s prepaid versus standard prices and the Basic Economy personal-item-only rule are the details travelers most often miss.

• Prepaid saves $5 per bag versus paying at the airport on the domestic sample; buy online at least 24 hours before departure.
• The $75 Basic Economy gate charge is easy to miss. It is not a free planeside check (unlike many Delta Connection gate checks for passengers not on Basic Economy).
• Overweight and oversize fees can both apply to one bag, and the piece fee still applies.
• Your ticket purchase date can lock in older fee tables (older Basic Economy prices for tickets bought before April 3, 2026; older long-haul fees for tickets bought before May 12, 2026; older Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines and within-Asia fees for tickets bought before July 21, 2026).
• The Basic Economy forced-check prices (tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026) are separate from planned checked-bag timing; paying when you book is still cheaper than airport check-in, and airport check-in is cheaper than the gate.
• Fees for Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and within Asia went up for tickets bought on or after July 21, 2026; fees on many other routes between the U.S. and Africa, Asia, Europe and South America went up for tickets bought on or after May 12, 2026. Check United’s calculator for your city pair.
• Gateway and MileagePlus Select do not restore the Basic Economy carry-on.
• International free-bag markets and card benefits: check united.com, because route “1st bag free” claims and co-brand card benefits vary.
• United Express: limited bin space; CommutAir allows a personal item only onboard (short note on our United carry-on size page).

1. Prepay online at least 24 hours before departure when United offers a lower prepaid price.
2. Stay within 50 lb and 62 linear inches (Economy) to avoid overweight and oversize add-ons.
3. Avoid Basic Economy if you need a free overhead bag on domestic flights, or use Premier status or an eligible co-brand card (check current terms).
4. On Basic Economy, a prepaid check ($45) beats the gate ($75).
5. Use military, Premier or co-brand benefits when eligible; check details on united.com.
6. Run the official Checked Bag Fee Calculator for every international itinerary.

For published cabin dimensions, see United carry-on size (9 × 14 × 22 in, or 23 × 35 × 56 cm) and United personal item (9 × 10 × 17 in, or 22 × 25 × 43 cm). Measure including wheels and handles before you fly.

How much is the first checked bag on United?

For tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026, a first checked bag starts at $45 if you prepay or $50 in the airport lobby, each way. Some routes cost more, so check United's bag fee calculator for your flight.

Is it worth prepaying for a bag on United?

Usually. United says savings may apply when you buy checked bags online at least 24 hours before departure. On a sample route, prepaying that early was $5 cheaper per bag, $45 instead of $50 for a first bag, but savings may vary, so check United's bag fee calculator for your flight.

Can I bring a carry-on on United Basic Economy?

On most domestic flights, no. Basic Economy includes a personal item only. If you reach the gate with a bag that won't fit under the seat, United charges $75 to check it.

What size personal item does United allow?

Up to 9 × 10 × 17 inches, and it has to fit under the seat in front of you. It's free on every fare.

How heavy can a checked bag be on United?

Up to 50 lb in Economy and Premium Economy, and up to 62 total inches when you add length, width and height, including wheels and handles.

• United carry-on size
• United personal item size
• Delta baggage fees
• Frontier baggage fees

Fees and rules change by ticket date and itinerary. Confirm on united.com and the Checked Bag Fee Calculator before travel. BagRule is not affiliated with United Airlines.