Travel has its excitement and sometimes pain. One of the pains most travelers face each time they travel is in checked baggage fees. United Airlines, like all other carriers, has a specific baggage policy that can surprise customers if they are not well conversant with the baggage policy. In the following guide, there are several strategies to ensure you don’t fall victim to such fees during your travels. Let us get an insight into how avoid checked baggage fees on United Airlines.
Understanding the Baggage Policy of United Airlines
Before providing tips on avoiding checked baggage fees, let’s look into United’s baggage policy. The fees with United work based on your fare class, destination, and elite status or certain credit card. For instance, Basic Economy passengers pay the highest fees: $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second if they have prepaid for those. Check-in- and the second bag at check-in are considerably pricier: $40 and $50, respectively.
For Economy Class or higher than Economy and up to First Class passengers, for a fee, two checked bags weighing less than 50 pounds are allowed. For Business and First Class passengers, the maximum weight is 70 pounds for each bag. Active U.S. military members who travel on orders either personally or officially can check three bags gratis. For official travel, they can check five bags gratis.
How to Avoid Baggage Check Fees?
To avoid the baggage check fees at the airport there are some ways you can follow to save your money and time.
Strategy 1. Pack Light and Bring a Carry-On
You can avoid fees for checking bags by trying to maximize your carry-on allowance. United Airlines allows one personal item, such as a backpack or purse, and one carry-on bag free of charge on most types of tickets—except for Basic Economy. So if you can pack everything you need into those two, then you would not have to pay for checked bags.
When you’re packing light, here are some tricks to try:
- Choose the Right Bag: Select a good quality carry-on luggage that fits within the United size requirements, 22 x 14 x 9 inches. The reason for high-quality luggage is that good luggage can make proper use of space that would otherwise go waste while still complying with airline requirements. Pack smart to help you make better use of the carry-on space
- Pack Cubes: Cubes are wonderful for organizing the packing in a neat order. You can pack clothing and other accessories in compartmentalized cubes, thus using minimal space to find your requirements without having to dig through the contents of your bag.
- Wear Bulky Items: If you’re traveling with heavier clothing items such as jackets or boots, wear them instead of packing them. That is one trick that can help save the best space in your luggage.
2. Consider Upgrading Your Ticket
If you travel frequently with checked bags, you should upgrade to Economy or higher classes even though this costs extra. Of course, it only makes sense if you fly regularly with checked bags.
Two free checked bags are available in the Premium Economy or higher classes, which may come in handy for a longer trip or traveling with the family. To decide if it makes sense from a cost perspective, you can contrast the difference in price between Basic Economy and higher classes with any additional baggage fee. In some cases, paying a bit more for the ticket ends up saving you a small fortune in baggage charges.
3. Take advantage of United Credit Cards
Holding a United Airlines co-branded credit card can save you significant amounts of money on bag fees. Consider the following examples:
- United Explorer Card: The first checked bag will be free for the primary cardholder and one companion traveling on the same reservation. This can save you up to $35 per person per flight.
- United Business Card: Similar benefits apply to business travelers holding this card.
To benefit from these, make sure you include your MileagePlus number as you book your flight. All this will mean that baggage fees automatically get reduced in line with the applicable ones.
4. Join MileagePlus Program
You may avoid paying checked baggage fees by joining United’s MileagePlus program. In this regard, elite members who join enjoy free checked baggage allowances that greatly increase your savings on travel.
As you fly hundreds of miles and make several other transactions, you will win the eligibility to shift into elite status such as Premier Silver or Premier Gold, which brings along a higher baggage allowance. You also win frequent flyer miles that count for upgrades that provide extra benefits in baggage, thus making carrying your belongings more hassle-free and economical.
5. Pay for Baggage at Check-In
If you are sure that you will have to check your bags, you may also consider paying those fees online even before arriving at the airport. United Airlines has a saving for passengers who pay their checked baggage fees at least 24 hours before their flight.
It saves $5 per bag for online prepaid versus the convenience fee when paying at the airport ticket counter or kiosk. This money-saving step, is not just pocket-friendly, it even expedites your airport experience because you have to wait/ less at the check in counter.
6. Travel During Off-Peak Times
Traveling during quieter periods might provide better flexibility in terms of baggage allowances. While it is not being said that this will guarantee free baggage allowances, there have been documented stories from travelers that, during the off-season, the airlines are more lenient on baggage allowance when flights are less crowded.
Plan your trips during shoulder seasons—you know, those times just before or after peak travel periods—you may be able to take advantage of lower fares and fewer crowds at airports. This might also improve your overall travel experience by being less stressful.
7. Consider a Baggage Subscription Service
For frequent travelers who are often dragging their bags, United offers subscription services designed to help avoid traditional checked baggage fees altogether:
- Baggage Subscription Plans: From $349 for a single passenger with one bag in the US, the plans will get you unlimited checked bags without charging you any extra baggage fees during the subscription.
This helps a lot especially when traveling extensively throughout the year and do not want the headache of up-and-down baggage fees.
8. Ship luggage ahead of time
If you want to avoid checked baggage altogether, you can consider shipping your luggage in advance:
Shipping Services for Your Bags: Airlines are now offering to get your bags sent directly to your destination for a fee. This alternative does come with costs that are equivalent to or even more than checked baggage charges, but it does save you from standing in lines at the airport and the frustrations and possibly lost luggage that may arise from missing connections.
Sending your luggage ahead in advance will ease your travel through airports and get you comfortably at the destination with less stress about heavy trunks.
Conclusion
United Airlines checked baggage fees can be avoided with smart and tactful planning from your end. Several strategies are applied, like carry-on allowances maximization, fare upgrades, credit card benefits, joining loyalty programs, fee prepayment on the united airlines website, traveling during off-peak times, subscription services, or shipping luggage ahead of time.
Understanding these options not only saves money but also helps enhance the overall travel experience by minimizing the stress associated with luggage management. Being proactive about packing and planning allows you to enjoy a smoother journey without the burden of unexpected expenses related to checked baggage fees on United Airlines. Have fun traveling!
Frequently Asked Question
United Airlines allows free checked bags for certain passengers, like Premium Economy, Business, or First Class. MileagePlus elite members are also allowed free checked bags. Mileage Plus Premium members have the provision of getting checked bags for free for not just themselves but also for nine other members on the same itinerary as theirs.
There is sometimes a fee to check bags in the United Economy cabin. Basic Economy tickets incur fees of $35 for one checked bag and $45 for a second if paid for in advance; however, the fee is higher at the airport.
Cut baggage fees on United by booking in a premium economy class or above or if one earns enough elite status in the Mileage Plus program. Use a United credit card to earn free checked bags.
Reduce luggage checks by packing efficiently in carry-on and personal items, wearing bulkier clothes, and shipping luggage ahead of time. Prepaying baggage fees online saves you money.