I am traveling with my family (2 adults + 3 kids) to CA next week. We bought Basic Economy tickets with my Explorer card, which gets everyone a carry-on plus the free checked bag for my wife and I. And then United gives us seats together because of the kids even though BE. Works great.

But now it looks like I may have to leave the trip early and fly directly to FL for work, rather than traveling home to CO with the fam. Not finalized yet. Does anyone know what will happen to all of those free bags on the return trip? The card gives those bag benefits to "travel companions" of the cardholder.

I guess I can't cancel my ticket since this BE. If I just don't show up, do we lose those benefits on the other tickets? Can I check in the four others on the day of the return flight and perhaps the benefits are already conferred, so no problem? Since the ticket is nonrefundable and non-changeable, is there anything to do other than just not showing up?