United Airlines Baggage Fees and How to Avoid Them

United Airlines' baggage fees vary depending on destination, fare type, bag weight and size, elite status, and credit card eligibility. To avoid fees, passengers can use United's baggage fee calculator to determine their costs. Those with elite status or eligible credit cards may qualify for free checked bags. United allows one free personal item and one full-size carry-on bag for most passengers, but basic economy passengers are generally limited to only a personal item. Exceptions to this rule include flights to Canada, South America, and across the Atlantic, as well as international flights across the Pacific, and passengers with certain credit cards or elite status. Passengers can also avoid fees by prepaying for their bags at least 24 hours before departure, which can save up to $5 per bag. United's standard checked baggage weight limit is 50 pounds for economy passengers without elite status, while MileagePlus Premier members and passengers traveling in business or first class have a 70-pound allowance per bag.