Last updated: 29 October 2026. Fees apply to United and United Express flights; on other airlines the first airline's rules decide.
Prices are in US dollars (USD) for flights leaving the US. "Standard" is paid at the airport; "prepaid" is paid online.
Cabin baggage
- Carry-on bag
- 1 bag free on most flights, 9 x 14 x 22 in (23 x 35 x 56 cm), including handle and wheels, in the overhead bin
- Personal item
- 1 item under the seat in front, 9 x 10 x 17 in (22 x 25 x 43 cm): purse, backpack
- Basic Economy
- In most cases only 1 personal item on Basic Economy tickets (United's page says so for those fares)
United's pages state no cabin weight limit. A 32-inch TV, scissors for needlework and similar items follow normal carry-on and checked rules; sharp objects go in the hold.
Free checked baggage and weight limit
- Economy and Premium Economy
- 50 lb (23 kg)
- Business, First and Polaris business class
- 70 lb (32 kg)
The standard bag is up to 62 in (158 cm) in length plus width plus height (or 30 x 20 x 12 in). Your cabin or MileagePlus status, whichever is higher, sets the weight limit; Star Alliance Gold members get 70 lb in business and 50 lb in economy.
Free bags by cabin and MileagePlus status
Economy, US with Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and between US cities
- Premier Silver
- 1 bag, 70 lb
- Premier Gold
- 2 bags, 70 lb
- Premier Platinum
- 3 bags, 70 lb
- Premier 1K
- 3 bags, 70 lb
Economy, US with South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Middle East, Africa
- Premier Silver
- 2 bags, 70 lb
- Premier Gold
- 3 bags, 70 lb
- Premier Platinum
- 3 bags, 70 lb
- Premier 1K
- 3 bags, 70 lb
All premium cabins
- Premier Silver
- 3 bags, 70 lb
- Premier Gold
- 3 bags, 70 lb
- Premier Platinum
- 3 bags, 70 lb
- Premier 1K
- 3 bags, 70 lb
- Premier members and up to 9 companions on the same itinerary get these free bags. The larger of two exemptions applies.
- United and United Express flights only; waivers may not apply on partner airlines.
- Military: personal travel with ID, all classes 3 bags up to 62 in and 70 lb. Dependents with orders: 2 bags. Members on orders: 5 bags up to 115 in and 100 lb.
- Some Central American and Caribbean cities (for example San Salvador, Havana, Santo Domingo, Managua, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Guatemala City) allow 2 bags of 70 lb without a charge all year, per United's table.
- United Business, First and Polaris business class seats come with free checked bags. If you upgrade before check-in you do not pay; if you are still in economy at check-in you do.
Where United flies: regions used in its fee rules
- United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
- Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
- South America.
- Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
- Asia (including Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and India), Australia and New Zealand.
Checked bag fees
Does the price depend on when you pay?
Yes. Prepaid prices online up to 24 hours before departure can be lower, and the calculator shows both. The standard and prepaid price are the same except domestic and short Latin America flights, where prepaid saves $5 on each of the first two bags.
Fees rose for tickets bought on or after 3 April 2026 (domestic, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, short Latin America), on or after 12 May 2026 (many flights to Africa, Asia, Europe and South America) and on or after 21 July 2026 (Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and within Asia).
First and second bag in Economy, by region (general non-member, from Newark)
US domestic (Los Angeles, Honolulu)
- Economy 1st bag
- $50 ($45 prepaid)
- Economy 2nd bag
- $60 ($55 prepaid)
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $50 ($45)
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $60 ($55)
Canada (Toronto, Vancouver)
- Economy 1st bag
- $50 ($45 prepaid)
- Economy 2nd bag
- $60 ($55 prepaid)
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $50 ($45)
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $60 ($55)
Mexico (Cancun, Mexico City)
- Economy 1st bag
- $50 ($45 prepaid)
- Economy 2nd bag
- $60 ($55 prepaid)
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $50 ($45)
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $60 ($55)
Caribbean (Nassau, Montego Bay)
- Economy 1st bag
- $50 ($45 prepaid)
- Economy 2nd bag
- $60 ($55 prepaid)
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $50 ($45)
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $60 ($55)
Central America (San Jose, Costa Rica)
- Economy 1st bag
- $50 ($45 prepaid)
- Economy 2nd bag
- $60 ($55 prepaid)
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $50 ($45)
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $60 ($55)
South America (Bogota)
- Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Economy 2nd bag
- $120
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $90
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $120
South America (Sao Paulo)
- Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Economy 2nd bag
- $100
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $90
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $100
Europe (London, Paris)
- Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Economy 2nd bag
- $120
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $90
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $120
Middle East (Tel Aviv)
- Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Economy 2nd bag
- $120
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $90
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $120
Middle East (Dubai)
- Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Economy 2nd bag
- Free
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- Free
Africa (Johannesburg)
- Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Economy 2nd bag
- $120
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $90
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $120
India (Delhi)
- Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Economy 2nd bag
- $240
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- $90
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $240
Japan and Singapore (Tokyo, Singapore)
- Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Economy 2nd bag
- Free
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $120
Australia and New Zealand (Sydney, Auckland)
- Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Economy 2nd bag
- $120
- Basic Economy 1st bag
- Free
- Basic Economy 2nd bag
- $120
Business, First and Premium Economy
Mexico City (Business or First)
- 1st bag
- Free, 70 lb
- 2nd bag
- Free
- With base options (restricted fare)
- 2nd bag $60 ($55 prepaid)
Paris (Business or First)
- 1st bag
- Free, 70 lb
- 2nd bag
- Free
- With base options (restricted fare)
- 2nd bag $120
Paris (Premium Economy)
- 1st bag
- Free, 50 lb
- 2nd bag
- Free
- With base options (restricted fare)
- 2nd bag $120 (Premium Plus base option)
Delhi (Business or First)
- 1st bag
- Free, 70 lb
- 2nd bag
- Free
- With base options (restricted fare)
- 2nd bag $240
Tokyo (Business or First)
- 1st bag
- Free, 70 lb
- 2nd bag
- Free
- With base options (restricted fare)
- 2nd bag $100
Sydney (Business or First)
- 1st bag
- Free, 70 lb
- 2nd bag
- Free
- With base options (restricted fare)
- 2nd bag $120
Los Angeles (Business or First)
- 1st bag
- Free, 70 lb
- 2nd bag
- Free
- With base options (restricted fare)
- 2nd bag $60 ($55 prepaid)
Third bag, oversize and overweight (per bag)
US, Canada, Costa Rica, Honolulu
- Third and later bag
- $200
- Oversize 63 to 115 in
- $200 extra
- Overweight 51 to 70 lb
- $100 (Costa Rica $200)
- Overweight 71 to 100 lb
- $200 (Costa Rica $400)
Mexico
- Third and later bag
- $200
- Oversize 63 to 115 in
- not shown
- Overweight 51 to 70 lb
- $100
- Overweight 71 to 100 lb
- $200
Caribbean (Jamaica)
- Third and later bag
- $200
- Oversize 63 to 115 in
- not shown
- Overweight 51 to 70 lb
- $200
- Overweight 71 to 100 lb
- $400
Europe, South America, Africa, Middle East, Japan, Singapore
- Third and later bag
- $300
- Oversize 63 to 115 in
- $200 extra
- Overweight 51 to 70 lb
- $200
- Overweight 71 to 100 lb
- $400
Australia and New Zealand
- Third and later bag
- $300
- Oversize 63 to 115 in
- $200 extra
- Overweight 51 to 70 lb
- $200
- Overweight 71 to 100 lb
- not shown
India
- Third and later bag
- $300
- Oversize 63 to 115 in
- $300 extra
- Overweight 51 to 70 lb
- $300
- Overweight 71 to 100 lb
- $400
- If a bag is both oversize and overweight, each fee applies. Bags over 115 in (292 cm) or 100 lb (45 kg) are not accepted, except instruments up to 165 lb (75 kg) and assistive devices.
- Extra bags are accepted only if there is space, and some destinations do not accept overweight, oversize or extra bags at all; check United's international checked bag limits list.
- Bags must be fully enclosed, withstand normal handling and not be several bags tied together. Styrofoam boxes need an outer container. Items with lithium batteries or personal vaporisers cannot be checked.
- Prepay online and pay with miles for flights within the US. Refunds are available on cancelled flights.
- Connecting flights: bags usually follow you to the last stop, but you must re-check them after an overnight layover, a connection over 12 hours, a separate ticket on a non-Star Alliance airline, or an international arrival connecting to a domestic flight.
Special baggage
Sports equipment
Counts toward your checked allowance and may be charged. Categories United lists include archery (a bow case with bows and a quiver), baseball, biking, boating and surfing, bowling, camping, fencing, firearms, fishing, golf, gymnastics, hang gliding, hockey and lacrosse, javelins, paintball, parachutes, pole vaulting, pool cues, scuba, skating, skiing and snowboarding and tennis.
Surfboards, wakeboards, paddleboards and kiteboards
Must be in board bags, under 100 lb and at most 115 in long on United (92 in on United Express), with fins removed or protected. Flights to or from California waive oversize charges for some boards.
Kayaks and canoes
Are not accepted.
Musical instruments
Accepted up to 165 lb (75 kg) as checked bags; a cabin seat can be bought for larger ones.
Pets
We did not read United's pet page; check united.com.
Questions travellers ask us
How much cabin baggage can I take?
One carry-on (9 x 14 x 22 in) and one personal item (9 x 10 x 17 in). United's page states no weight limit.
Is the first checked bag free to India?
Yes in Economy (not Basic Economy, where it is $90), but the second bag is $240. To Europe and most other long-haul destinations the second bag was $120.
How much is a checked bag within the US?
$50 for the first and $60 for the second, or $45 and $55 if prepaid online.
What is the weight limit for a bag?
50 lb (23 kg) in Economy and 70 lb (32 kg) in Business, First and Polaris. Heavier bags pay the overweight fee.
Can a student or someone with a student visa get extra bags?
United's pages describe no student allowance.
Can I take a large TV?
Yes as checked baggage if the box meets the 62 in and weight limits. Larger boxes pay oversize fees.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of United Airlines.
13 questions and answers
Can you tell me what is the weight per check in bag is from New York, USA to Cape Town, South Africa on United Airlines?
You are allowed to take 2 bags of 23 kg each per passenger for this route in economy class.
Please provide the route of travel so that we answer you correctly.
We believe you shall be able to take it. We suggest you go by the ticketed allowance. http://checkininfo.com/flights-to-india/sfo-to-del-flights/ link might be helpful in this respect.
Most of US airlines, including United, do not provide weight limits for carry on baggage or personal items. However, these do have size limits which must be adhered to. We would suggest that you limit the carry-on weight to 7 kg, though this is not mandated by the airline.
As per our information, if this is an economy ticket, then 1 check in bag of 23 kg is free, the second bag is to be charges $100. However, if it is any other higher class of travel, then allowance is 2 bags of 23 kg each. Charges for 3rd bag is $200. This bag shall be of 62 inches linear dimensions and weight shall not be more than 23 kg.
The check in baggage allowance is free for certain customers only. These are Active US Miliary members or their dependents, MileagePlus Premier members. If you are any of these, then you are entitled to some free check in baggage allowance, depending on status level. So, please do let us know what MileagePlus membership you hold and whether you are active US military person or a dependent, or not.
Only 1 cabin bag is allowed free within size limit of 56, 35 and 23 cms. There is no free check in baggage allowance. You will have to pay for each bag you carry.
These can be taken in check in baggage only.
Whats is the Size of TV we can carry from US to India in United Airlines.And whats the cost affliated to it.
You can carry that size of LED Tv in check in baggage which meets the size and weight limits of your check in baggage.
Do not have any such information.
we r traveling 4 people with 8 checkin bags nd 4 cabin bags. i have a question.,,if i want to carry extra check in baggage how much do i need to pay. can i carry extra baggage as 23 kgs.do i need to pay any other charges again in jfk airport.?
if i am carrying extra 10 kg in my 8th check in baggage how much money i have to pay extra?
Extra 1 check in bag of 23 kg is charged at USD 200. Excess weight or oversize is charged at USD 150 for such check in bag.
No information on this as of now.
CVG to ORD by United Airlines
ORD to DEL by Air India
DEL to CCU by Air India.
Air India allows 2 checked in baggage for travel to India.
My question is when I travel by United Airlines from CVG to ORD will it allow 2 checked in baggage without any extra charge since my connecting flight Air India allows 2 checked in baggages.
Thanks.
United Airlines will go by its own baggage allowance policy.