Jul 21, 2016, 11:14 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
UA site - Free checked bags for eligible United MileagePlus Chase credit cardmembers
FAQs
Can I get both by status benefit and the credit card benefit?
No, the benefits do not stack. The best way to think about it is the first / second bag fees are waived, and you only have one "first" bag. Also addressed in above T&Cs.
If my ticket has a bag allowance doe the card benefit provide additional allowance?
No, the benefits do not stack. The best way to think about it is the first / second bag fees are waived, and if the ticket has no fee, the waiver provides no additional benefit, . Also addressed in above T&Cs
Will I get the checked-bag benefit on an UA issued award ticket if I pay the out-of-pocket costs (tax, TSA fee) with a qualifying Chase UA card?
Yes, assuming you meet the other requirements (cardholder's MP number is on the same PNR, etc.).
Is third bag fee at the original fee or charged at what was the first bag fee?
The higher bag fees are unchanged when first and/or second bag fees are waived.
Do Basic Economy fares change the bag waiver?
No - see Introducing Basic Economy
And MP branded Chase cardholders will be exempt from the BE carry-on & boarding group restrictions
If I am a Chase MP branded cardholder but used a different card to purchase the ticket, will I still get the bag waiver?
No
But some have found if you purchase E+ access with the Chase MP branded card, you will then received the bag waiver
If I cancel the card after booking but before travel, will I still get the waiver?
No, the T&Cs state the card must be active at the time of travel.
How do I get the checked bag fee waiver when checking in with a partner airline, such as a codeshare?
Checked bag fee waiver only applies when checking in with UA. Codeshare/partner airlines will not provide the checked bag waiver benefits based on being a primary cardholder of a Chase MP card.
What if I purchase the UA ticket on a third party site using the Chase MP card?
This is a YMMV situation. It depends on how the 3rd party handles its billings. Reports are the Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity ... bookings will received the bag allowance waiver at check-in.
What if I forgot to use the Chase MP card for the original purchase?
Certain additional items, such as E+ access seem to trigger the bag waiver.
Recent reports suggest this no longer works.
I have a new Chase MP card, how can I tell UA knows this?
This takes a week or two to be fully acknowledged in the system
Go to https://www.united.com/en/us/account
At the top look for "Mileage Balance" and just below that "Exp. xx/xx/xxxx" with a "?" in a circle. Click on the "?".
A popup should mention the being a MileagePlus CC holder and your miles will not expire. This signifies the MP account and CC have been properly linked.
Archive thread: Mileage Plus Branded Credit Card and Checked Baggage Fees {Archive}
First and second checked bags free for MileagePlus® Club and Presidential PlusSM card members
First checked bag free for MileagePlus Explorer cardmembers and cardmembers with certain other Chase credit cards
First checked bag free for MileagePlus Explorer cardmembers and cardmembers with certain other Chase credit cards
The requirement to purchase ticket(s) with the applicable United MileagePlus card will be waived for flights completed during the first 90 days following a new primary Cardmember’s account open date.
Terms and conditions
- The primary Cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation are each eligible to receive their applicable standard checked bag(s) free. To receive the applicable standard checked bag(s) free, the primary Cardmember must include their MileagePlus account number in their reservation and use their qualifying United MileagePlus Credit Card from Chase to purchase their ticket(s).
- The traveler must be a Cardmember at the time of check-in in order to be eligible for free checked bags.
- One authorized user is eligible to receive the applicable standard checked bag(s) free only if traveling on the same reservation as the primary Cardmember and counted as the one traveling companion eligible for the benefit.
- Eligible Cardmembers will receive their applicable standard checked bag free on flights operated by United or United Express; codeshare flights are not eligible.
- Checked bags must meet weight and size restrictions or may be subject to additional fees. Learn more about our baggage policy.
- Primary Cardmembers are eligible to receive applicable standard checked bag(s) free when they use their miles to book award travel on United-operated flights, as long as they pay for their award ticket taxes and service charges with their qualifying Card and include their MileagePlus account number in their reservation.
- Primary Cardmembers who are already exempt from checked baggage service charges will not receive additional free checked bags.
Premier members:
Club or Presidential Plus Card members who receive two or more free checked bags through their Premier status will not receive additional free checked bags.
Explorer Cardmembers and Cardmembers with certain other MileagePlus Chase Credit Cards will not receive a free checked bag in addition to the free checked bag(s) awarded through their Premier status.
For additional information on Premier benefits, visit www.united.com/premier.
International travel:
Club and Presidential Plus Card members will not get additional free checked bags if there are no first and second checked bag service charges applicable to their international travel itinerary.
Explorer Cardmembers and Cardmembers with certain other MileagePlus Chase Credit Cards will not get an additional free checked bag if there is no first checked bag service charge applicable to their international travel itinerary. - Unpublished fares, such as priceline.com and Hotwire, are not eligible.
- New United MileagePlus Chase primary credit Cardmembers will be eligible for their applicable free standard checked bag(s) 2 weeks after account opening.
Offer subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.
Can I get both by status benefit and the credit card benefit?
No, the benefits do not stack. The best way to think about it is the first / second bag fees are waived, and you only have one "first" bag. Also addressed in above T&Cs.
If my ticket has a bag allowance doe the card benefit provide additional allowance?
No, the benefits do not stack. The best way to think about it is the first / second bag fees are waived, and if the ticket has no fee, the waiver provides no additional benefit, . Also addressed in above T&Cs
Will I get the checked-bag benefit on an UA issued award ticket if I pay the out-of-pocket costs (tax, TSA fee) with a qualifying Chase UA card?
Yes, assuming you meet the other requirements (cardholder's MP number is on the same PNR, etc.).
Is third bag fee at the original fee or charged at what was the first bag fee?
The higher bag fees are unchanged when first and/or second bag fees are waived.
Do Basic Economy fares change the bag waiver?
No - see Introducing Basic Economy
And MP branded Chase cardholders will be exempt from the BE carry-on & boarding group restrictions
If I am a Chase MP branded cardholder but used a different card to purchase the ticket, will I still get the bag waiver?
No
But some have found if you purchase E+ access with the Chase MP branded card, you will then received the bag waiver
If I cancel the card after booking but before travel, will I still get the waiver?
No, the T&Cs state the card must be active at the time of travel.
How do I get the checked bag fee waiver when checking in with a partner airline, such as a codeshare?
Checked bag fee waiver only applies when checking in with UA. Codeshare/partner airlines will not provide the checked bag waiver benefits based on being a primary cardholder of a Chase MP card.
What if I purchase the UA ticket on a third party site using the Chase MP card?
This is a YMMV situation. It depends on how the 3rd party handles its billings. Reports are the Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity ... bookings will received the bag allowance waiver at check-in.
What if I forgot to use the Chase MP card for the original purchase?
Certain additional items, such as E+ access seem to trigger the bag waiver.
Recent reports suggest this no longer works.
I have a new Chase MP card, how can I tell UA knows this?
This takes a week or two to be fully acknowledged in the system
Go to https://www.united.com/en/us/account
At the top look for "Mileage Balance" and just below that "Exp. xx/xx/xxxx" with a "?" in a circle. Click on the "?".
A popup should mention the being a MileagePlus CC holder and your miles will not expire. This signifies the MP account and CC have been properly linked.
Archive thread: Mileage Plus Branded Credit Card and Checked Baggage Fees {Archive}
Mileage Plus Branded Credit Card and Checked Baggage Fees
Sep 8, 2022, 10:45 am
#76
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: 66,844
FYI for new cardholders
The requirement to purchase ticket(s) with the applicable United MileagePlus card will be waived for flights completed during the first 90 days following a new primary Cardmember’s account open date.
Sep 9, 2022, 12:53 am
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,474
I booked a flight through the Chase portal and cashed in some UR points, but charged the rest to my Chase UA Explorer card. Will I still get the free checked bag and group 2 boarding on the flight? I realized that United sees a credit card number that is different than mine.
You might. See my experience upthread.
Oct 22, 2022, 5:38 pm
#78
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 586
Hello all ya experts.
I purchased three domestic tickets using miles, payed the taxes using our no fee united gateway card. I downgraded to this card several years ago simply because I rarely flew united, and it didn't make sense to keep paying the annual fee, probably have 600-1000 a month charged. I am no wondering if I upgrade the card to the explorer card if I would get baggage fees wavied?
All three of us will have bags (maybe could squeeze it into two - but it is a ski trip which is always baggage heavy). My questions.
1. If we are able to upgrade the card, would we get free bags? if so, just for two of us, not all three- correct?
2. What are the odds we can upgrade the card? Do we have to go through a new credit application, or will they just let me pay the fee and upgrade?
I purchased three domestic tickets using miles, payed the taxes using our no fee united gateway card. I downgraded to this card several years ago simply because I rarely flew united, and it didn't make sense to keep paying the annual fee, probably have 600-1000 a month charged. I am no wondering if I upgrade the card to the explorer card if I would get baggage fees wavied?
All three of us will have bags (maybe could squeeze it into two - but it is a ski trip which is always baggage heavy). My questions.
1. If we are able to upgrade the card, would we get free bags? if so, just for two of us, not all three- correct?
2. What are the odds we can upgrade the card? Do we have to go through a new credit application, or will they just let me pay the fee and upgrade?
Oct 24, 2022, 10:33 pm
#79
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AS, WN, UA
Posts: 127
How does a new card member, with an existing reservation to be flown within 90 days, get the information that now the flyer has a credit card noted in the reservation? I made a reservation for January, (did not use a United card, did not have one), then applied for and received the card. I have no idea how the "temporary bag subscription" noted in the verbiage below is attached to an existing reservation. Is there a way online to make an existing reservation note that the passenger is a new card member?
"A new primary United MileagePlus Cardmember will be eligible for their applicable free standard checked bag(s) for United- and United Express® - operated flights completed during the first 90 days following a new primary Cardmember’s account open date. Until the card is received for you to purchase tickets, we will add a temporary bag subscription to cover flights taken during such 90-day period. After that, the subscription will expire. For flights taken after such 90-day period, you must purchase the tickets with your card to receive the free checked bag benefit."
"A new primary United MileagePlus Cardmember will be eligible for their applicable free standard checked bag(s) for United- and United Express® - operated flights completed during the first 90 days following a new primary Cardmember’s account open date. Until the card is received for you to purchase tickets, we will add a temporary bag subscription to cover flights taken during such 90-day period. After that, the subscription will expire. For flights taken after such 90-day period, you must purchase the tickets with your card to receive the free checked bag benefit."
Last edited by bayareafamily; Oct 24, 2022 at 10:35 pm Reason: clarity
Oct 25, 2022, 6:41 am
#80
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 2,255
How does a new card member, with an existing reservation to be flown within 90 days, get the information that now the flyer has a credit card noted in the reservation? I made a reservation for January, (did not use a United card, did not have one), then applied for and received the card. I have no idea how the "temporary bag subscription" noted in the verbiage below is attached to an existing reservation. Is there a way online to make an existing reservation note that the passenger is a new card member?
"A new primary United MileagePlus Cardmember will be eligible for their applicable free standard checked bag(s) for United- and United Express® - operated flights completed during the first 90 days following a new primary Cardmember’s account open date. Until the card is received for you to purchase tickets, we will add a temporary bag subscription to cover flights taken during such 90-day period. After that, the subscription will expire. For flights taken after such 90-day period, you must purchase the tickets with your card to receive the free checked bag benefit."
"A new primary United MileagePlus Cardmember will be eligible for their applicable free standard checked bag(s) for United- and United Express® - operated flights completed during the first 90 days following a new primary Cardmember’s account open date. Until the card is received for you to purchase tickets, we will add a temporary bag subscription to cover flights taken during such 90-day period. After that, the subscription will expire. For flights taken after such 90-day period, you must purchase the tickets with your card to receive the free checked bag benefit."
Last edited by Schnit; Oct 25, 2022 at 6:42 am Reason: clarify
Oct 25, 2022, 7:28 am
#81
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AS, WN, UA
Posts: 127
Sorry, I booked a flight (approx two weeks ago, October 2022) FOR early January 2023, and applied for the card one or two days later. We Just received the card today, so our upcoming flight is within 90 days or applying and of receiving it. I'm not even sure who to call and try and find out more.
When I look at the reservation it says the bag charge is waived, and an icon for "bags prepaid" is green, but it still wants to charge $40 each way.
When I look at the reservation it says the bag charge is waived, and an icon for "bags prepaid" is green, but it still wants to charge $40 each way.
Last edited by bayareafamily; Oct 25, 2022 at 8:00 am
Oct 25, 2022, 11:44 am
#82
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: 66,844
Sorry, I booked a flight (approx two weeks ago, October 2022) FOR early January 2023, and applied for the card one or two days later. We Just received the card today, so our upcoming flight is within 90 days or applying and of receiving it. I'm not even sure who to call and try and find out more.
When I look at the reservation it says the bag charge is waived, and an icon for "bags prepaid" is green, but it still wants to charge $40 each way.
When I look at the reservation it says the bag charge is waived, and an icon for "bags prepaid" is green, but it still wants to charge $40 each way.
Probably the easiest solution is wait till you get to the airport and see what happens. If UA tries to charge you, just pay -- fighting with the agent will accomplish nothing. Then file a refund request with UA and if you are within the 90 day period, you will get a refund. This is one of those thongs you could spend hours on the phone and almost surely will never get to the right person. And perhaps still have an issue at the airport. If Refunds is not responsive, then file a DOT complaint.
Oct 25, 2022, 8:31 pm
#84
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: 66,844
Oct 26, 2022, 6:58 am
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,474
One can redeem partner miles on UA/book with other travel agencies and still get free bags. But pushing people to book directly with UA benefits them so I guess this makes sense from UA's point of view. I believe DL is also like AA and so I'm surprised UA has not matched on this matter.
Oct 26, 2022, 9:25 am
#87
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: 66,844
As I expect Chase underwrites the bag waiver, it is in Chase's interest for you to use their card. Chase would be far less interested if the use of the card is not a requirement. This is not a simplification but an expansion of the benefit.
Of course as users, we like expansions of benefits but in the end the total cost / loss revenue is important. There is a benefit set for having the chase cards and you have to look at all the benefits. The are some benefits Chase/UA offers not offered by the others (award upgrades, ...) -- but the total cost of the package is what Chase / UA is looking at. Hence the benefit packages are not identical.
Of course as users, we like expansions of benefits but in the end the total cost / loss revenue is important. There is a benefit set for having the chase cards and you have to look at all the benefits. The are some benefits Chase/UA offers not offered by the others (award upgrades, ...) -- but the total cost of the package is what Chase / UA is looking at. Hence the benefit packages are not identical.
Nov 10, 2022, 12:56 am
#88
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 34
Does anyone know if it specifically has to be on UA 016 stock? Presumably it does, because otherwise there's no way UA will be able to see what payment method was used, right?
I'm looking at booking something that's:
US-CA, 1 segment, UA metal, AC codeshare/flight number, AC stock, paid for with my Explorer card.
I'm guessing that I won't get a bag waiver in this case?
Update:
Well, I ended up booking it (ticketed on 014 stock) and UA's site shows 1 bag for the first 2 pax as included. We'll see what actually happens at the airport, I guess.
I'm looking at booking something that's:
US-CA, 1 segment, UA metal, AC codeshare/flight number, AC stock, paid for with my Explorer card.
I'm guessing that I won't get a bag waiver in this case?
Update:
Well, I ended up booking it (ticketed on 014 stock) and UA's site shows 1 bag for the first 2 pax as included. We'll see what actually happens at the airport, I guess.
Last edited by Roona; Nov 11, 2022 at 7:45 pm
Nov 14, 2022, 7:58 am
#89
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: America!
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist Caesars Wyndham Diamond, MGM Gold
Posts: 249
When paying for a ticket fully with travel bank funds, will we still get free checked bag (chase united card benefit)? The reason I ask is that this card specifically has terms stating that the ticket "should" be paid with the card to get the benefit
Nov 14, 2022, 8:53 am
#90
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: 66,844