United's carry-on policy: what's included at no extra cost
United Airlines does not charge for one carry-on bag and one personal item on any of its flights. A carry-on bag is a rolling suitcase or soft-sided bag that fits in the overhead bin. A personal item is a purse, backpack, laptop bag, or small daypack that fits under the seat in front of you. Both travel free on all United flights, including basic economy fares.
The size limits matter because oversized bags get checked at the gate, and you will pay a fee if that happens. United's carry-on must not exceed 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches deep (roughly the size of a standard rolling carry-on). Your personal item has no official size limit but must fit under the seat without blocking the aisle or emergency exits.
If your bag is too large for the overhead bin, gate agents will check it for free on that flight, but you cannot count on this happening. The safest approach is to measure your bag before you travel or use a bag that is clearly designed as a carry-on.
Key Takeaways
- One carry-on bag and one personal item are free on all United flights, regardless of your ticket type.
- Your carry-on must not exceed 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, or it may be checked at the gate.
- Checked bags cost money: the first checked bag is $40 on domestic flights for most passengers, and the second is $60.
- Basic economy fares include one free carry-on and personal item, but do not include a free checked bag.
- Oversized carry-ons that do not fit the bin may be checked for free on that specific flight, but this is not may provide.
When United charges for bags: checked luggage and oversized items
United charges for checked bags starting with the first one. On domestic flights, the first checked bag costs $40 and the second costs $60. On international flights, the first checked bag is $50 and the second is $100. These fees explore to most passengers; some frequent flyer members and premium cabin passengers have checked bags included in their ticket.
If your carry-on is too large for the overhead bin, a gate agent may check it at the gate. On that specific flight, this check is free. However, you cannot rely on this as a strategy because bins fill up quickly on full flights, and agents will not always make exceptions. The better approach is to pack a bag that clearly fits the 22-by-14-by-9-inch limit.
Sports equipment, musical instruments, and other special items have their own rules. A golf bag, ski bag, or surfboard counts as a checked bag and costs the standard checked-bag fee. A violin or guitar in a hard case may travel as a carry-on if it fits the size limit, or as a checked bag if it does not.
Which United ticket types include free carry-on bags
Every United ticket type—basic economy, main cabin, first class, and business class—includes one free carry-on bag and one free personal item. The difference between ticket types is what else is included, not whether carry-ons are free.
Basic economy is United's lowest fare and includes only the carry-on, personal item, and a standard seat assignment. Main cabin tickets add a free checked bag, seat selection, and other perks. Premium cabin tickets (first and business class) add multiple free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge access.
If you buy a basic economy ticket and want to check a bag, you will pay the $40 domestic fee. If you buy main cabin, your first checked bag is free, but a second checked bag costs $60.
How to avoid carry-on fees and checked-bag surprises
The easiest way to avoid unexpected fees is to pack only a carry-on and personal item. This works for trips of a few days if you pack light and use a packing cube or compression bag to fit more into your carry-on.
If you need to check a bag, buy a ticket type that includes it. Main cabin fares are usually only $20 to $50 more than basic economy, and that difference often costs less than paying the $40 checked-bag fee. Compare the total price—ticket plus fees—before you book.
Measure your carry-on bag before you travel. Most rolling carry-ons sold as "carry-on compliant" meet United's size limit, but some do not. If you are unsure, use a bag sizer at the airport or ask at the ticket counter before you go through security.
What happens if your carry-on is too large
If your carry-on does not fit the overhead bin, a gate agent will ask you to check it at the gate. On that flight, the check is free. Your bag will be loaded into the cargo hold and returned to you at your destination, just like a checked bag.
The problem is that this is not may provide. On a full flight with limited bin space, an agent may ask you to check your bag even if it is technically within the size limit. On a less crowded flight, an agent may let a slightly oversized bag through. You cannot count on either outcome.
If your bag is checked at the gate and you have a connecting flight, ask the agent whether your bag will be checked through to your final destination or whether you will need to collect it and recheck it yourself. Most of the time it goes straight through, but confirming saves confusion at your connection.
Carry-on rules for connecting flights and international travel
Your carry-on bag stays with you through connecting flights on United. You do not have to recheck it unless you are changing airlines. This is true whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
If you are flying internationally, the same carry-on size limit applies: 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Some international airlines have smaller limits, but United's limit is the same for all flights. If you are connecting to another airline, check that airline's carry-on policy because it may be stricter.
Liquids in your carry-on must follow TSA rules: 3.4 ounces or less per container, all containers in a single quart-sized bag. This rule applies to all flights, domestic and international. Checked bags have different liquid rules, so if you are checking a bag, you can pack larger bottles in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a roller bag and a backpack as my carry-on and personal item?
Yes. Your carry-on (the roller bag) can be up to 22 by 14 by 9 inches, and your personal item (the backpack) can be any size as long as it fits under the seat. Both travel free on all United flights.
Do I pay extra if I check a bag on a basic economy ticket?
Yes. Basic economy includes only a carry-on and personal item. The first checked bag costs $40 on domestic flights and $50 on international flights. If you want a free checked bag, you need a main cabin ticket or higher.
What if my carry-on is one inch too big?
A gate agent may ask you to check it, especially on a full flight. The size limit is enforced at the gate, not at the ticket counter. If your bag is close to the limit, use a bag sizer at the airport before you board, or pack a smaller bag to be safe.
Do I have to pay if United checks my bag at the gate?
No. If a gate agent checks your bag because the overhead bin is full or your bag does not fit, that check is free. Your bag will be returned to you at your final destination.
Can I bring a car seat or stroller as a carry-on?
A stroller can be checked at the gate for free if you have a child. A car seat can travel as a carry-on if it fits the size limit, or it can be checked. Neither counts against your carry-on or checked-bag limit if you are traveling with a child under two.