Aug 3, 2013, 7:10 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

How early may I check my bags before a UA flight?

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...s/default.aspx says,For flights within the U.S., as well as most international flights, baggage will generally not be accepted for check-in more than four hours before a scheduled flight departure, although this policy varies by airport and daily check-in counter hours.

There are reports in this thread of check-in agents allowing bag check in earlier than four hours prior to departure.

May bags be checked in the night before?

If it is more than four hours before scheduled departure, no, and there are ~~no reports~~ some reports for higher elites of a few hour earlier in this thread ~~to the contrary.~~

Consolidated "How Early Can I Check My Luggage Before a UA Flight?" Thread [Merged]

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Dec 6, 2017, 3:02 am

#121

SFO 1K

Join Date: Sep 2000

Location: Denver, CO

Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club

Posts: 4,753

Get in line at 4am, you'll be fine. The 3:30 shuttle will get you there. But be sure to ask if they take shuttle reservations at the hotel. During the holiday season, I sometimes stay at the Embassy Suites by DEN because they have room rates w/parking included. And they literally fill up the busses (yes, multiple) the night before via reservations from guests. Aloft may not be as busy, but double check with the hotel if you need to save a spot on the 3:30am shuttle.

Feb 25, 2018, 10:20 am

#122

168

Join Date: Jun 2004

Programs: UA-1K, AA-Gold, H GP-LIfeTime Diamond

Posts: 819

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!

OP probably know the answer already. For data point, the answer is “no”.

I too tried to check in my midnight SFO bags during the earlier LAX flight’s checkin window last month and was told they have no luggage holding capability at PVG. Being an 1K didn’t help either. They had a sign clearly listed check in time for each flight. I ended up store my luggage at a luggage storage facility on the right rear side of the terminal. Their rate was not too bad.

Aug 30, 2018, 5:07 am

#123

robbo135

Join Date: Jun 2018

Programs: Marriott/SPG Gold, Krisflyer Gold, HHonors Gold

Posts: 40

Hi, how early before my flight (domestic) can I do a self-check in and bag drop (1 checked bag) when flying out of SFO on UA? Am planning to arrive early before the evening peak hour and then eat dinner airside.
Thanks

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 30, 2018 at 12:16 pm Reason: moved to master thread

Aug 30, 2018, 11:14 am

#124

1KChinito

Join Date: Jul 2003

Location: SFO

Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM

Posts: 5,532

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo135

Since SFO is one of UA's hubs, you can self check-in and bag drop at least 4 hours prior to departure.

Sep 17, 2018, 12:12 am

#125

Toshbaf

Suspended

Join Date: Oct 2016

Location: PDX

Programs: AS DL

Posts: 9,038

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChinito

Since SFO is one of UA's hubs, you can self check-in and bag drop at least 4 hours prior to departure.

Do you think UA at SFO will allow late morning luggage check in for a 6 pm flight. In other words, about 8 hours before the flight?

Sep 17, 2018, 12:31 am

#126

WineCountryUA

Moderator: United Airlines

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: SFO

Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat

Posts: 66,830

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toshbaf

Do you think UA at SFO will allow late morning luggage check in for a 6 pm flight. In other words, about 8 hours before the flight?

Hubs are more likely to follow the policy - 4 hours. You might get 5 hours (but the computers are programmed for 4 hours). 7-8 hours, no.

Sep 17, 2018, 8:31 am

#127

1KChinito

Join Date: Jul 2003

Location: SFO

Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM

Posts: 5,532

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toshbaf

Do you think UA at SFO will allow late morning luggage check in for a 6 pm flight. In other words, about 8 hours before the flight?

As @WineCountryUA answered, most likely no. You can always try and let us know so everyone can learn your particular experience.

Mar 11, 2019, 1:12 pm

#128

SwissM

Join Date: Mar 2005

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Programs: LX LH AA AF

Posts: 70

Can I drop off a bag at SFO in the morning for a red-eye that evening?

I would like to drop off my bag at 10am for a 11pm red-eye at SFO

Nothing on the United site stipulates when they will accept a bag. It is all about "until when".

Does anyone have any concrete information on this?

Thanks in advance for any helpful answers.

Mar 11, 2019, 1:19 pm

#129

Mr.Nuke

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: OMA

Programs: UA

Posts: 322

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwissM

Nothing on the United site stipulates when they will accept a bag. It is all about "until when".

Quote:

For flights within the U.S., as well as most international flights, baggage will generally not be accepted for check-in more than four hours before a scheduled flight departure, although this policy varies by airport and daily check-in counter hours

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...s/default.aspx

Mar 11, 2019, 1:24 pm

#130

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold

Posts: 10,495

There is bag storage in the International Terminal, G concourse.

Mar 11, 2019, 1:26 pm

#131

chebert999

Join Date: Aug 2007

Location: Toronto

Programs: UA 1K, AC 35K, SPG GOLD

Posts: 264

I've tried this before at SFO and the answer was NO - 4 hours before the flight only.

Mar 11, 2019, 3:56 pm

#132

nomad420

Join Date: Jul 2015

Location: San Francisco

Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold

Posts: 3,617

I have pushed the 4 hour rule with intermittent success but never for 13hrs, I think that would be a big NO. The above bag storage option may be your best bet, I haven't used so don't know the fees.

Mar 11, 2019, 4:07 pm

#133

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)

Posts: 56,448

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomad420

The above bag storage option may be your best bet, I haven't used so don't know the fees.

Expensive. If viable, leaving them at hotel is the best option.

Mar 11, 2019, 5:45 pm

#134

milepig

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2004

Location: ORD

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 16,901

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

Expensive. If viable, leaving them at hotel is the best option.

Not expensive when you factor In the need to schlep to a hotel and back to the airport to pick them up.

Mar 11, 2019, 8:05 pm

#135

docbert

Join Date: Jul 2007

Location: San Francisco/Sydney

Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC

Posts: 8,154

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

Expensive. If viable, leaving them at hotel is the best option.

https://www.airporttravelagency.org/...avel-services/

$15-$30 for a day. Whether that's expensive or not will depend on the alternatives...