United baggage fees 2026: carry-on, checked bag, seat and change fees
On United's cheapest fare (United States domestic, Basic Economy), a carry-on bag is: not allowed (personal item only); $75 if a bag has to be checked at the gate. The first checked bag: from $45 prepaid, $50 at the airport lobby, $75 at the gate. Changing the flight: cannot be changed; cancel and rebook. We read these on United's own pages on 14 November 2026; each line below links to the page and quotes what it says.
United fees on the cheapest fare
| fee | what United publishes | evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-on bag | Not allowed (personal item only); $75 if a bag has to be checked at the gate Its page says: “If your bag does not fit under the seat, you'll have to check it at the gate and pay a $75 fee.” | source |
| First checked bag | From $45 prepaid, $50 at the airport lobby, $75 at the gate Its page says: “bag fees start at $45 if you prepay, $50 in the lobby and $75 at the gate” | source |
| Second checked bag | Shown only in a baggage fee calculator; no fixed figure published Its page says: “Use our baggage fee calculator to see how much it'll cost.” | source |
| Choosing a standard seat | United chooses the seat; the price to choose is not published as a fixed figure Its page says: “In Basic Economy, we choose your seat and let you know your assignment before boarding.” | source |
| Changing the flight | Cannot be changed; cancel and rebook Its page says: “The only way to make changes to a Basic Economy trip is to cancel your flights and book new ones.” | source |
A fee marked as not published is one the airline shows only inside a booking or a route calculator. We do not estimate it. Fees paid at the airport are higher wherever the airline publishes both.
United against the other airlines
| airline | carry-on bag | first checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | €/£12.49 to €/£36 when booking (sold as Priority & 2 Cabin Bags) about $13.82 to $39.85 for the euro prices at the latest exchange rate | €/£21.49 to €/£59.99 when booking (20 kg) about $23.79 to $66.40 for the euro prices at the latest exchange rate |
| Wizz Air | €13 to €60 online (sold as WIZZ Priority) about $14.39 to $66.41 at the latest exchange rate | €10 to €112.50 online in low season (20 kg) about $11.07 to $124.52 at the latest exchange rate |
| Frontier | Priced by route in a bag price checker; no range published | Priced by route in a bag price checker; no range published |
| Southwest | Included | $45 |
| Delta | Included | $45 each way |
| United | Not allowed (personal item only); $75 if a bag has to be checked at the gate | From $45 prepaid, $50 at the airport lobby, $75 at the gate |
| American | Included | $50 online, $55 at the airport |
| JetBlue | Included | $50 off-peak, $55 peak, when added more than 24 hours before departure |
| British Airways | Included | Priced by route in a calculator; no range published |
| Emirates | Included, one piece up to 7 kg | Included, one piece up to 23 kg on Americas routes |
| Allegiant | $10 to $75 | Priced by route in a fee table; no range published |
| Breeze Airways | Price when booking shown only in a quote tool; $75 if added at the airport | Price when booking shown only in a quote tool; $75 if added at the airport |
Questions
Does United charge for a carry-on bag?
On its cheapest fare (United States domestic, Basic Economy): not allowed (personal item only); $75 if a bag has to be checked at the gate. Read on United's own page on 14 November 2026.
How much is a checked bag on United?
First checked bag: from $45 prepaid, $50 at the airport lobby, $75 at the gate. Second checked bag: shown only in a baggage fee calculator; no fixed figure published. Read on 14 November 2026.
Can you change a United flight on the cheapest fare?
Cannot be changed; cancel and rebook. Read on 14 November 2026; the table links to the page.