United Baggage Fees 2026: Prepaid vs Airport Checked Bag Prices

Where these numbers come from

United's checked bag pricing moved for tickets purchased on or after April 3, 2026. The first bag is $45 when prepaid at least 24 hours before departure and $50 after that. The second bag is $55 prepaid and $60 later. Third and additional bags are $200. The fee structure is per bag and per direction.

Timing is the main lever. Prepaying saves $5 per bag, so two bags each way is $100 prepaid versus $110 at the airport. Across a round trip that is $200 against $220. The discount closes 24 hours before departure, which makes it a planning task, not something to do at check-in. Premium-cabin customers and some status members skip the fees altogether.

Basic Economy is where United stands apart. Domestic Basic Economy tickets include only a personal item by default, and a full carry-on brought to the gate is charged $75 (the first checked bag fee plus a $25 handling fee). A prepaid checked bag is $45, so in practice checking is cheaper than gate-checking a carry-on. Free carry-on exceptions apply to elite members, qualifying United card holders and certain international routes.

Worked example: one traveler on a Basic Economy round trip wants a normal carry-on. If they bring it to the gate, they pay $75 each way, or $150. If they prepay a checked bag instead, the trip costs $90. If they choose a standard Economy fare that costs $40 more each way and includes the carry-on, they break even at $80 total.

Overweight bands are listed as up to $100 for 51 to 70 lb and up to $200 for 71 to 100 lb, with a flat $200 oversize fee between 63 and 115 inches. A 62 lb prepaid first bag costs about $145 each way. Because the bands say up to, confirm your route on United's own bag calculator for a final price.

To see how your plan stacks up, use the bag cost calculator and compare carriers in the cheapest airline for my bags tool. For cabin limits see the United baggage rules, and note that American's fees are very close.

Sources

• Live and Let's Fly: United bag fee increase
• NerdWallet: United baggage fees
• DeepArrival: United baggage fees
• Afar: United and JetBlue raise baggage fees

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.