Does United allow boxes as checked 'luggage' on international flights?
Aug 5, 2011, 12:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 178
Does United allow boxes as checked 'luggage' on international flights?
We are spending year in Geneva and will be flying UA from DEN to IAD to GVA. When I called the UA Premier Exec line, they said no but I've seen boxes come through the baggage claim area before. Any experience with this recently would be very helpful. Thanks!
Aug 5, 2011, 12:09 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Remember with interlining, UA may be forced to accept boxes that they normally would not have allowed to be checked in.
I see no restriction against boxes - apart from the obvious size requirements, and the note about very fragile items.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,52482,00.html
I see no restriction against boxes - apart from the obvious size requirements, and the note about very fragile items.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,52482,00.html
Aug 5, 2011, 12:14 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 178
Remember with interlining, UA may be forced to accept boxes that they normally would not have allowed to be checked in.
I see no restriction against boxes - apart from the obvious size requirements, and the note about very fragile items.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,52482,00.html
I see no restriction against boxes - apart from the obvious size requirements, and the note about very fragile items.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,52482,00.html
Aug 5, 2011, 12:48 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: CO Platinum / BA Gold
Posts: 780
Where bags checked with one airline are 'inter-(air)-lined' onto a connecting flight.
I like the fact that there is still a United Air Lines sign on a shed at ORD ^ Anyone know if CO has any facilities still branded as "Varney Speed Lines"?
I like the fact that there is still a United Air Lines sign on a shed at ORD ^ Anyone know if CO has any facilities still branded as "Varney Speed Lines"?
Aug 5, 2011, 2:59 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,392
I pretty much moved my apartment half-way across the country.... one flight at a time. You'd be amazed at how fast 3 x 70 lbs per trip can get your stuff moved.
Aug 5, 2011, 4:39 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil
Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member
Posts: 1,407
I've checked boxes to Brazil a number of times and have seen many others, usually every trip, and I travel that route monthly.
Aug 5, 2011, 4:42 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SFO/JFK/MGA
Programs: UA 1P MM, AA-PP, AS, DL, HH G, SPG Gold, TA nada
Posts: 2,043
I have furnished my house in Granada, NI (excluding furniture, although many floor fans and lamp and tables) this way. With 3 people with 3 bags/boxes x 70 lbs, it was easy. Mostly packed in large suitcases but many boxes as well.
Aug 5, 2011, 4:53 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sacramento
Programs: UA 2MM/GS; SPG Lifetime Plat; MHC Lifetime; Tar Heel forever; and I "Dig the Pig" at Piggly Wiggly
Posts: 12,152
I often have done it on UA, LH, and LX, when taking gifts for friends or bringing home souvenirs/gifts. Never been a problem in over 30 years.
Aug 6, 2011, 2:05 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ICT
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 129
Boxes on UA
We brought a bunch of boxes back from MUC to ORD. No problems at all. Just seal them well, make sure you have your details on them and the UA gate agent will put one of the baggage tags on it.
You can ask for the fragile stickers as well but we all know what that means to a ramp rat......................
You can ask for the fragile stickers as well but we all know what that means to a ramp rat......................
Aug 6, 2011, 3:47 pm
#14
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
I think the only thing to be careful about is wine and other alcohol, they require it to be
so that some of the new packaging with cardboard separators may not be accepted, though I have personally never seen them actually check.
Other than that, as long as the size and weight is OK, there should not be any issue.
When placed in checked baggage, glass bottles must be in a Styrofoam-type insert that is molded to the shape of the bottle and completely encloses the bottle
Other than that, as long as the size and weight is OK, there should not be any issue.
Aug 6, 2011, 4:00 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UAL SPG Hyatt
Posts: 570
Have checked boxes on international TPAC trips (all on UA or mixed metal) successfully over the past 5-7 years. No issues whatsoever as long as you observe the weight and size limits. My record includes stuff like small weber grills, PC, color printer and a lamp.
As far as the airlines are concerned, there is little difference between a suitcase and a box. Some advice I have been given is to i) use original packaging where possible, ii) avoid wrapping string/rope around the box to make a handle or loop, iii) seal with proper pressure sensitive tape.
The string thing always seem to catch people by surprise but apparently these can be caught on baggage handling equipment and will rip the entire thing.
As far as the airlines are concerned, there is little difference between a suitcase and a box. Some advice I have been given is to i) use original packaging where possible, ii) avoid wrapping string/rope around the box to make a handle or loop, iii) seal with proper pressure sensitive tape.
The string thing always seem to catch people by surprise but apparently these can be caught on baggage handling equipment and will rip the entire thing.