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?
Jun 23, 2019, 7:32 am
#166
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
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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.
If you go over the limit, expect to pay—if you’re not subject to the fee—great. Of course, if you’re only one pound overweight, there’s probably something you could put in a carry on. If your five to ten pounds overweight, consider shipping some things—it should be cheaper than $200–I’m thinking laundry.
Jun 23, 2019, 7:36 am
#167
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,784
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.
I just went through a similar experience with EI. No status and a suggestion that we (four in my group) rearrange our weight distribution.
Last edited by Dublin_rfk; Jun 23, 2019 at 7:37 am Reason: errors
Jun 23, 2019, 7:46 am
#168
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 4
Thanks - yeah I put the most heavy things in my carryon so far, but I can probably get in more. It reminds me of this old Ryan Air news report where people would cut the linings out of their winter coats and stuff them with everything they needed lol. Too bad it's not the winter.
Mostly, I was just trying to see if there was a $50 fee or something because the $200 just didn't make sense. I'd pay $50 for 20 more lbs.
Mostly, I was just trying to see if there was a $50 fee or something because the $200 just didn't make sense. I'd pay $50 for 20 more lbs.
Jun 23, 2019, 8:08 am
#169
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The $200 overweight fee is pretty standard across most carriers. The same for oversize (make certain that you measure your bag carefully once packed as heavy bags are sometimes oversize too and those incur an additional $200 fee).
The line is drawn somewhere and in this case it is at 50 pounds. Whether you can skate by is something you won't know until you check the bag in. I would make a real effort to rethink what you need. Given the two carryons + 1 bag, 50 pounds is a great deal for a 2-week trip.
The line is drawn somewhere and in this case it is at 50 pounds. Whether you can skate by is something you won't know until you check the bag in. I would make a real effort to rethink what you need. Given the two carryons + 1 bag, 50 pounds is a great deal for a 2-week trip.
Jun 23, 2019, 9:17 am
#170
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 4
Yeah I think my conundrum will be solved by packing less & giving the hotel cleaners my laundry half way through. I just called them to see if they do regular laundry (not just dry cleaning) and they will - so that's good. I'm going to the Highlands, Edinburgh, and London - and the weather is so variable, it makes it hard to cut down. Packing has been taking forever since everything from 50-80 degrees is possible. But at least the basics can be washed & I can cut a lot in half now.
Jun 23, 2019, 10:04 am
#172
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 4
Thanks! It's funny how many 100s of questions I have had answered by just googling "flyertalk [topic name]" that I never had to create an account. And I was a consultant ... so everyone around me was sufficiently obsessed with miles and status that I didn't have to go anywhere else for it. haha.
Jun 23, 2019, 10:29 am
#173
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
No, there is not. However, in another example of the fees making no sense at all — if you need more than 50 lbs of stuff, take two pieces of luggage. 1x70lbs = $200 each way. 2x50 lbs = $100 each way.
Jun 23, 2019, 11:40 am
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,404
I'm sure there is some argument that 2x50 is easier for a ground crew to deal with than 1x70. Over 50 lbs and it becomes difficult for a single person to lift.
Jun 23, 2019, 12:08 pm
#175
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Personally, I've never seen anyone get by with overweight luggage even by 1 lb - I've always seen the agent encourage moving things between bags, or taking something out for carryon, or just plain ditch something.
I suspect once you put your bag on the scale, the computer is waiting for a credit card - and the agent can't override that unless the weight comes down.
I suspect once you put your bag on the scale, the computer is waiting for a credit card - and the agent can't override that unless the weight comes down.
Jun 23, 2019, 12:23 pm
#176
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,156
Personally, I've never seen anyone get by with overweight luggage even by 1 lb - I've always seen the agent encourage moving things between bags, or taking something out for carryon, or just plain ditch something.
I suspect once you put your bag on the scale, the computer is waiting for a credit card - and the agent can't override that unless the weight comes down.
I suspect once you put your bag on the scale, the computer is waiting for a credit card - and the agent can't override that unless the weight comes down.
I suspect it's more along the lines of the agents have had the fear of HR put into them for a variety of reasons (weight and balance [in the US most airlines use 'standard weights' rather than actual weights], employee injury, etc.)
On the other hand, in most of the rest of the world where you drop your bag on a conveyor next to the check in position AFAIK those are weighing the bag and recording the actual weight for passenger service/flight dispatching -- don't know how many airlines are using actual weights for W&B, but I have seen "XX kg" printed on a baggage tag. I don't know what scale certification/calibration looks like in those countries, though.
Jun 23, 2019, 3:04 pm
#177
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
Personally, I've never seen anyone get by with overweight luggage even by 1 lb - I've always seen the agent encourage moving things between bags, or taking something out for carryon, or just plain ditch something.
I suspect once you put your bag on the scale, the computer is waiting for a credit card - and the agent can't override that unless the weight comes down.
I suspect once you put your bag on the scale, the computer is waiting for a credit card - and the agent can't override that unless the weight comes down.
In this case, I was helping my parents in law check in on their way back to India. They had 2 bags - one was weighed as 52 lbs on the scale, the other at exactly 50. The agent stated DL allows 1 pound overweight, and so would have to charge for the second unless they shifted stuff to have them both at 51. They were able to do it, so checked the 2 bags at 51 lbs without an additional charge.
Jun 23, 2019, 6:39 pm
#178
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Coast NSW, Australia
Programs: UA and SQ; Hilton, Fairmont, Marriott, Rydges Priority
Posts: 290
United’s enforcement of their checked in baggage weight policy is inversely proportional to their enforcement of their carryon size policy.
I was pinged for pound overweight not so long ago.
Don’t risk it.
I was pinged for pound overweight not so long ago.
Don’t risk it.
Jun 30, 2020, 2:01 pm
#179
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2
Transporting a mattress as checked baggage on an international flight
Hi,
quick question, will a 1k receive any reduction in oversized baggage fees?
I am flying FRA-SFO on UA in PZ (PP Upgrade from W), and I am looking to transport a mattress, which outside dimensions are 200cm (Normal baggage can't exceed 159cm I believe),
As I understand it, the first 3pieces are free (as 1k), however oversize/ overweight charge is $200 for the first bag. Apologies, I typically never check bags.
Thank you for your help!
quick question, will a 1k receive any reduction in oversized baggage fees?
I am flying FRA-SFO on UA in PZ (PP Upgrade from W), and I am looking to transport a mattress, which outside dimensions are 200cm (Normal baggage can't exceed 159cm I believe),
As I understand it, the first 3pieces are free (as 1k), however oversize/ overweight charge is $200 for the first bag. Apologies, I typically never check bags.
Thank you for your help!
Jun 30, 2020, 2:04 pm
#180
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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