Sep 29, 2020, 10:34 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Sept 2020
also see https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/1949673-using-cardboard-boxes-ship-personal-items-ua-checked-luggage.html
If you plan to check oversized, overweight or extra bags, keep the following in mind:
Oversized bags
We can’t accept bags that measure (length + width + height) more than 115 inches (292 centimeters).
Overweight bags
We can’t accept bags weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms). However, musical instruments and assistive devices are exceptions. We’ll accept musical instruments up to 165 pounds (75 kilograms) and all assistive devices.
Extra bags
]We only accept extra bags if there’s space available on the aircraft. Assistive devices don’t apply, and we’ll gladly accept them for free.
Oversized bags
We can’t accept bags that measure (length + width + height) more than 115 inches (292 centimeters).
Overweight bags
We can’t accept bags weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms). However, musical instruments and assistive devices are exceptions. We’ll accept musical instruments up to 165 pounds (75 kilograms) and all assistive devices.
Extra bags
]We only accept extra bags if there’s space available on the aircraft. Assistive devices don’t apply, and we’ll gladly accept them for free.
How strict is UA with oversized / overweight checked-in baggage?
Sep 20, 2018, 4:12 pm
#151
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,409
OP: Upgrading that flight is likely to be the cheapest way to get a larger bag allowance.
Sep 20, 2018, 4:21 pm
#153
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I guess we don't know if the OP needs to pack a lot of small things or if some of the objects are square and big and would not fit in a piece of luggage, hence the need to use boxes.
Sep 20, 2018, 5:04 pm
#154
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
Data point: Had to get some documents to Scotland in advance of our wedding there last year.
It was cheaper to fly myself in Polaris (the day after we discovered the need) and rent a car to drop them off personally than it would have been to get them there fast with UPS, FedEx, or USPS global Express mail. It was also several days faster (UPS was the fastest of the three and could only guarantee by 5pm on the last possible day)
Now, I used miles for the flight so only wound up paying g taxes/fees/APDuty, but still...made me rethink actually shipping anything with time urgency, at least to Europe.
It was cheaper to fly myself in Polaris (the day after we discovered the need) and rent a car to drop them off personally than it would have been to get them there fast with UPS, FedEx, or USPS global Express mail. It was also several days faster (UPS was the fastest of the three and could only guarantee by 5pm on the last possible day)
Now, I used miles for the flight so only wound up paying g taxes/fees/APDuty, but still...made me rethink actually shipping anything with time urgency, at least to Europe.
Also, even with miles I'm not sure the comparison is fair, since you are valuing the miles at $0.
Sep 20, 2018, 7:25 pm
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
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These days, I’d assume any limits are strict - be happy if they don’t say anything, but don’t complain if you do.
Not it sure if it’s still around, but DL used to allow 1 pound over the weight. I remember going to the airport to help someone check in with them - they had two bags and one was 50.5 pounds and the other was 51.5. Agent said policy was anything over 1 they had to charge for, so they adjusted the bags until they were both exactly51.
Not it sure if it’s still around, but DL used to allow 1 pound over the weight. I remember going to the airport to help someone check in with them - they had two bags and one was 50.5 pounds and the other was 51.5. Agent said policy was anything over 1 they had to charge for, so they adjusted the bags until they were both exactly51.
Sep 20, 2018, 10:26 pm
#156
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
Of course, but the advice is as stated. If you want to maximize your chances of beating the fee, use a piece of luggage that looks like luggage and keep it under the prescribed weight allowance. Upgrading to first may marginally help your chances of finding a friendly agent, but probably isn’t alone enough to justify the upgrade, as there’s a chance you’ll just pay for both.
Sep 20, 2018, 10:36 pm
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,409
True, but if the extra allowance is enough such that the OP can use regulation-sized bags, then it's a pretty clear win, IMO (assuming there's an F cabin on OP's CRP-IAH flight and the upgrade is its usual range of $119 or less for that length).
Sep 20, 2018, 10:43 pm
#158
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
yes this is absolutely correct, and if the OP’s items for transport allow would be the most surefire option.
Sep 21, 2018, 2:57 am
#159
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,355
Would be interesting to find out how you achieve that. Sadly it would be way OT to post it.
Sep 21, 2018, 2:37 pm
#160
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,115
Note USPS Global Express is outsourced to FedEx (well at least to Europe). The only difference is that USPS brings it to the FedEx station instead of a courier coming to your place pick it up, and you don't need a FedEx account to use it.
While published FedEx rates are increasingly expensive, good INTL corporate rates can still be had if you're a good customer with a good account manager.
Otherwise, DHL Express offers similar transit times and tends to undercut the others in pricing.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 26, 2018 at 11:58 pm Reason: repaired quote attribution
Oct 1, 2018, 5:45 am
#161
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: AUS, ORD, SFO, SIN
Programs: United 1K 2MM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 50
I've got a question on something which hasn't been brought up on this thread yet.... on SFO to AUS I'm going to be hauling a folded up Persian rug that measures 56" (33,15,8) but was planning to put it in my hockey bag which measures 78" (42,18,18) if completely extended. Since there is a lot of loose space in the bag, would I need to cinch it with some sort of strap or would the agent generally be ok without designating it oversize because of the looseness of the bag that's easily collapsible?
Oct 2, 2018, 12:08 am
#162
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Somewhere I've Driven To
Programs: HiltonHonors, IHG Hotels, DL Skymiles
Posts: 2,070
I've got a question on something which hasn't been brought up on this thread yet.... on SFO to AUS I'm going to be hauling a folded up Persian rug that measures 56" (33,15,8) but was planning to put it in my hockey bag which measures 78" (42,18,18) if completely extended. Since there is a lot of loose space in the bag, would I need to cinch it with some sort of strap or would the agent generally be ok without designating it oversize because of the looseness of the bag that's easily collapsible?
Sounds like it would not be oversized however what will be the weight? 22 kg (about 48-50 lbs) would be the max allowed.
Oct 2, 2018, 2:47 pm
#163
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Oct 4, 2018, 5:16 am
#164
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: AUS, ORD, SFO, SIN
Programs: United 1K 2MM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 50
I've got a question on something which hasn't been brought up on this thread yet.... on SFO to AUS I'm going to be hauling a folded up Persian rug that measures 56" (33,15,8) but was planning to put it in my hockey bag which measures 78" (42,18,18) if completely extended. Since there is a lot of loose space in the bag, would I need to cinch it with some sort of strap or would the agent generally be ok without designating it oversize because of the looseness of the bag that's easily collapsible?
Jun 23, 2019, 7:25 am
#165
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 4
UA Baggage Weight Limitations - International - No Status
I have checked United's website & I already know my first bag is free up to 50 lbs. If I had status, it would be up to 70 lbs. I am going away for 2 weeks so I may go over 50 & was wondering what the fee would be. Upon calling United, they informed me the fee was $200 for a 51 lb bag, but a 50 lb bag would be free. This sounds bizarre. Is there no surcharge fee that exists between 50 and 70 lbs for non-status flyers? The route is ORD - EDI. Thanks.
Also, as a side note - I've been slightly over 50 lbs on Aer Lingus & over on their carry-on limit a few times and they just shrug and say "looks like 50 to me" and let me go. I don't know if United would be the same way.
Also, as a side note - I've been slightly over 50 lbs on Aer Lingus & over on their carry-on limit a few times and they just shrug and say "looks like 50 to me" and let me go. I don't know if United would be the same way.