getagb

I couldn't find any rules about this in the CoC, but I was able to check a bag at 9AM for a 3PM domestic flight once. Not sure if the agent was just being nice but she didn't act surprised or give me any trouble about it.

NikoLGA

Typically, you can check in as soon as the United Counters are open during the day of travel.

WineCountryUA

While sometimes you can get a bag check sooner, however the formal policy is no earlier than 4 hours prior to scheduled departure.

If you can SDC to an earlier flight then you can bag check in based on the new departure

HCA

Can we check luggage early (Same day) for UA international location?

Example for ShangHai PVG:
PVG -> SFO
UA 858 12:10 pm
UA 890 12:30 am

If my flight is UA 890 in the midnight (12:30 am), can I check-in my luggage in the morning when PVG UA terminal open for UA 858 (12:10 pm) check-in? Thanks.

emcampbe

doubt it. IIRC, I believe there used to be a maximum time before your first flight when you could check in, at least at domestic stations, something like 4 or 6 hours. YMMV, I suppose.

On the other hand, even if possible, personally, I wouldn't want my luggage to be left behind the scenes of an airport for nearly that long. Too
many things could go wrong - theft, etc.

joe_miami

Does the 4-hour rule at FLL include not storing bags during overnight layovers? I'm flying into FLL at 10:00 pm and then flying out at 6:00 am, all on UA flights. I was hoping to check my bag all the way through instead of needing to claim it and then re-check it at FLL. Thanks.

WineCountryUA

There is a separate policy on overnight stays, the policy states UA will not check-thru but in reality, some agents will. YMMV

for more see wiki in Long layover/connection check through baggage question (consolidated)

puchong

Does anyone know whether it is possible to check in and check bags for a LHR-USA flight approx. 24 hours prior to the flight?

FWIW, I am a UA Premium Platinum member, although I am booked to have the miles credited to another *A program where I have *G status.

WineCountryUA

Standard UA policy is not to accept bags earlier than 4 hours prior to departure.

jacobguo

Somewhat related so hope this is the right thread.

What's the earliest I can check-in at the airport without bags?

Airport in question is EWR. Int'l flight and UA won't let me do OLCI.

jsloan

24 hours before departure. I checked in at customer service in ORD for a flight departing the next morning out of AUS. The agent was a little surprised, but it worked.

Not sure how early you can get through security at EWR, which may be a different question.

bdw1120

Anyone has experience with early check-in with bags to check at PVG?

United counters are open during three separate time windows:
(https://www.united.com/web/en-Us/con....aspx?Region=3)
Winter: 10:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; 5:25 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. Daily

I'll be on UA 199 to LAX departing at 8:25 pm (corresponding to the 5:25 pm - 7:25 pm check-in window). There is a prior window ending at 4 pm (presumably for UA 87 to EWR and UA 836 to SFO). Can I arrive early, say right before 4 pm, and check in?

Thanks!

Artagnan

I will be flying out of DEN on New Years Day (1/1) on the 5:15 AM to EWR (UA1807). I will be checking two bags (well, one bag + skis/boots).

I usually stay at the Aloft, but their shuttle doesn't start running until 3:30 and I'm worried that I won't be able to check bags, get through security, and get to the gate in time, as I don't have UA status (usually fly AA, but I won't make an unnecessary connection!). I do have TSA Pre. If necessary, I will stay at the Westin right at the terminal, but it's significantly more expensive, and I'm just looking for a place to sleep for a few hours the night prior.

A few questions:

• Can I check my bags the prior night? I'll be arriving around 9:30 PM on New Years' Eve (12/31) and could easily check my bags the night before.
• If I get to the terminal around 4:00 AM, am I cutting it too close? UA's later flights are mostly full, and I really don't want to chance missing my flight due to checked bag snafus.

Thanks in advance for any help or answers! Would be nice to save the few thousand points by not staying at the Westin, but if that's the answer, I suppose I'll live.

findark

No, United won't take bags overnight.

I am not a DEN expert, but I can't imagine the airport being anything other than a ghost town at 4:00am on New Year's Day. I think you'd be fine curbside at 4:00 for a 5:15 flight.

WineCountryUA

Check-in counters at Den open at 4:15AM but I would get in line at 4Am as there is a 45 minute requirement for bag check

Many locations will enforce a 4 hour max in advance bag check. Maybe stretching to 5-6 hours but not overnight.