It's our first time traveling with our new daughter (3 months old, booked as a lap infant) and I'm getting some conflicting information about United's baggage policies. Sorry that that there are a few questions in here!

1) United says that a stroller can be checked for free. I called and spoke to a representative and was told that strollers (and car seats) are only free if gate-checked (i.e. if I checked it with my other luggage as normal it would count as a normal bag and I'd have to pay). United's page doesn't make any mention of this. Is this true?

2) Is there any limit to the size of the stroller that can be checked for free? Ours (Uppababy Vista) is one of the largest out there and while it does fold, it is still very large when folded (26.5"W x 32"H x 14"L).

3) If the stroller has to be gate-checked, will I be allowed to put it in a bag?

4) We don't have a bag for our car seat. Do we just check it as is (it seems sure to be damaged)? Can we put it in a large box to check?

5) Is it ok to include the car seat's base that it snaps into when checking it?

6) Do we have to check the car seat? According to United, we can carry it on, but does that only apply to passengers who booked a ticket for the baby and would use it on a seat? i.e. since the baby is on our laps, where would the car seat go? With the base it is 17”W x 28”L x 25”H, which I can't see fitting into an overhead bin.


Thank you and again sorry for all the questions!