Mar 11, 2022, 11:44 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Mileage Plus Branded Credit Card and Checked Baggage Fees
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.
UA site - Free checked bags for eligible United MileagePlus Chase credit cardmembers
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
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.
Mileage Plus Branded Credit Card and Checked Baggage Fees {Archive}
Apr 9, 2019, 8:59 am
#541
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 30
Explorer Card - Waiving Bag Fee (Specific ?)
My company purchased my airline ticket, so my bag fee won't be waived even though I have the Explorer card. If I pay for a preferred seat, will that be enough to trigger the fee checked bag since now I will have used the card on the reservation?
Apr 9, 2019, 9:06 am
#542
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
If your company paid for the ticket, would they not reimburse you for the bag? Buying an E+ seat may or may not allow you to get a free bag. If the check-in agent doesn't let you get a free bag, you can always write in to united and try to get a refund on bag fees. But, if you have a receipt, can't you claim it from your employer?
Apr 9, 2019, 9:14 am
#543
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 30
If your company paid for the ticket, would they not reimburse you for the bag? Buying an E+ seat may or may not allow you to get a free bag. If the check-in agent doesn't let you get a free bag, you can always write in to united and try to get a refund on bag fees. But, if you have a receipt, can't you claim it from your employer?
Apr 9, 2019, 9:32 am
#544
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Yes, I suppose, but I figured if I could upgrade for, say, $15, and avoid the $30 bag fee, that would be a better deal. Sometimes I have had luck writing in & sometimes not...seems inconsistent, but thank you. I just called UA & they said no...the ticket must be purchased w/card. Really annoying...I used to have the Delta card & if you just showed the card at the airport they waived the fee.
There are reports of people getting the bag waiver from buying E+, but I agree with the general POV; if your employer really wanted to save money on bag fees, they should have let you put the purchase on your Explorer card in the first place.
If you would buy E+ anyway, then, sure, use your Explorer card and see what happens. But you may find that baggage fees are reimbursable whereas seat assignment charges aren't.
Apr 15, 2019, 9:19 am
#545
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: ba executive, AA advantage,
Posts: 84
Booking with miles Question
I have a simple question that I can't find a simple answer to.
I am going to book a flight with miles and I also have a Chase Explorer card. Because I will only be paying the tax with the card do I still get a free checked bag. Sorry for the dumb question.
I am going to book a flight with miles and I also have a Chase Explorer card. Because I will only be paying the tax with the card do I still get a free checked bag. Sorry for the dumb question.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 15, 2019 at 5:49 pm Reason: moved to suggested thread
Apr 15, 2019, 9:37 am
#546
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
Try
Mileage Plus Branded Credit Card and Checked Baggage Fees
Apr 15, 2019, 9:45 am
#547
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: ba executive, AA advantage,
Posts: 84
Thanks for the link. It answered my question completely. Thanks again.
Apr 16, 2019, 10:32 am
#548
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
I've updated the wiki to make this explicit.
Apr 16, 2019, 8:51 pm
#549
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
if I book award flights for my wife I via United (flying on Partners: SA and ET), and pay fees with the Explorer CC, will one or both of us qualify for free checked bags?
Apr 16, 2019, 8:54 pm
#550
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: 66,854
T&Cs
Apr 16, 2019, 9:00 pm
#551
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
Only the primary cardholder (and a companion on the same PNR) will receive the bag waiver if the card is used to purchase the flight and the primary cardholder acct is in the PNR.
T&Cs
T&Cs
Apr 16, 2019, 9:03 pm
#552
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: 66,854
If UA is not the check-in airline in either direction, no waiver either way,
There were multiple layers to your query
-- were you on the same PNR
-- The use of the card to purchase the companion's ticket
so missed asking if there were any UA segments,
Apr 16, 2019, 9:13 pm
#553
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
Yes you have to check-in with UA but not all the flights need to be UA operated, just the initial. But even then, on the return, if the first is not UA operated, then no.
If UA is not the check-in airline in either direction, no waiver either way,
There were multiple layers to your query
-- were you on the same PNR
-- The use of the card to purchase the companion's ticket
so missed asking if there were any UA segments,
If UA is not the check-in airline in either direction, no waiver either way,
There were multiple layers to your query
-- were you on the same PNR
-- The use of the card to purchase the companion's ticket
so missed asking if there were any UA segments,
There are no US operated segments.
Apr 16, 2019, 9:18 pm
#554
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: 66,854
No UA segments, no waiver.
It is a waiver only UA at check-in provides, but no other airlines including partners will recognize the waiver. Ticket stock does not change that. And you must check-in with the first operating carrier.
It is a waiver only UA at check-in provides, but no other airlines including partners will recognize the waiver. Ticket stock does not change that. And you must check-in with the first operating carrier.