Does United always allow carry-on?

Most passengers are allowed to bring a carry-on bag on board free of charge. The United carry-on size policy requires your carry-on bag to be no larger than 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches. The exception, and where things get complicated, is if you book a United basic economy ticket.



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Basic Economy You can't bring a carry-on bag unless you're flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific. All other bags have to be checked. Note, if you check a carry-on at your gate, you'll be charged the standard bag fee plus an additional $25.

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For most trips you can only bring one personal item when you're flying in Basic Economy. You can't bring a carry-on bag unless you're flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific. All other bags have to be checked.

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Many airlines will allow you to bring a carry-on bag and personal item for free. However, some airlines may only allow a personal item that fits under your seat for free. Anything larger (e.g. a bag that's too big to fit under the seat but can fit into the overhead compartment) may require extra payment.

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Before your flight, check to see if your personal item meets United Airlines' under-seat dimensions. Personal items can not be larger than 9 inches X 10 inches X 17 inches (22 cm X 25 cm X 43 cm). As with carry-on luggage, United's carry-on rules for personal items do not consider weight.

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In general, your personal item should be smaller than your carry-on and under the specific airline's carry-on dimensions, allowing it to fit under the seat in front of you. In most cases, backpacks are considered personal items as long as they fit under the seat in front of you.

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You're not allowed a full-sized carry-on bag unless you're a MileagePlus Premier member or companion traveling on the same reservation, primary cardmember of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card or Star Alliance Gold member.

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Those who are traveling in business or first class and/or have elite status with United can check a bag up to 70 pounds for free — even on a basic economy ticket. If you're a heavy packer and your luggage weight usually exceeds 50 pounds, you may want to consider going for United elite status.

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What letter is basic economy on United? These tickets are usually classified as N. Another way to know if you bought a basic economy ticket is if you're eligible to select a seat. If you can select a seat, you have an economy ticket or higher.

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In general, your personal item should be smaller than your carry-on and under the specific airline's carry-on dimensions, allowing it to fit under the seat in front of you. In most cases, backpacks are considered personal items as long as they fit under the seat in front of you.

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Usually, many airlines won't check every carry-on but will instead go for ones that look oversized. If your luggage does not fit in the sizer, you might have to pay a checked bag fee along with the gate checking fee and have your bag transferred to the airplane's cargo.

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A personal item is any type of luggage that fits underneath the plane seat in front of you. Most domestic airlines in the United States require a personal item to be 18” x 14” x 8” or smaller in size. Personal items can include a purse, briefcase, small backpack, laptop bag, weekender or small duffel bag.

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Is toothpaste considered a liquid by the TSA? Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag.

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Is Mascara Considered a Liquid by TSA? TSA counts mascara as a liquid, so the 3-1-1 rule for packing it in hand luggage applies. It states that all liquids have to be in 3.4 oz (100 ml) bottles or smaller and packed in a 1-quart bag. Mascara usually isn't above 3.4 oz, so you're free to pack it in your hand luggage.

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Oversized Carry-Ons Need to Be Checked-in If your carry-on is oversized (and doesn't physically fit inside the overhead compartments) or you encounter a strict airline employee, they will ask you to check it in at the gate.

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Many airlines do not actually put a size limit on your personal item, only that it must fit underneath the seat in front of you. In fact, even the airlines that do have size limits say the same thing, your personal item always has to fit under the seat in front of you.

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In general, standard domestic carry-on luggage size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. If you're flying internationally, that may vary a little to 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches. Remember, those dimensions include the handle, wheels and anything else that may protrude from your suitcase so don't miss them from your measurements.

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Personal items must fit under the seat in front of you. Common items include backpacks, laptop bags, and purses. These bags can be no larger than 9 x 10 x 17 inches (22 x 25 x 43 cm). Like carry-on bags, personal items do not have to meet a weight requirement.

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If your bag is too large and it isn't flexible, you won't be able to fit it inside. But airlines rarely ask you to use it. What is this? Unless your carry-on is extremely large, the airline employees at the gate most likely won't ask to measure it.

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