United Airlines Guide
Airlines
United Airlines operates the broadest international network from the United States with six hub cities and aggressive fleet modernization including new Airbus A350 orders and Polaris business class expansion. United is also the most restrictive of the three major legacy carriers when it comes to Basic Economy, and in 2026 it became the first to eliminate mileage earning on basic fares for general members.
This guide covers how United’s fees, boarding groups, Basic Economy restrictions, seat selection, and MileagePlus loyalty program work in 2026.
- First checked bag $45 prepaid or $50 at airport. Must book with Chase United card to get free bag.
- Basic Economy restricts carry on bags on domestic flights. Personal item only unless you have status or a credit card.
- 6 boarding groups using a seat position system: window seats board before middle, middle before aisle
- Basic Economy no longer earns MileagePlus miles for general members as of April 2, 2026
A reference guide for travelers planning around United’s fare structure, fees, and loyalty program.
United Airlines at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Carrier Type | Full service legacy carrier (broadest U.S. international network) |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
| Hub Cities | Newark, Houston Bush, Denver, Chicago O’Hare, San Francisco, Washington Dulles |
| Alliance | Star Alliance (Lufthansa, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, and others) |
| Loyalty Program | MileagePlus (Premier tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum, 1K, Global Services) |
| First Checked Bag | $45 prepaid / $50 airport. Free with Chase United card (must book with card) or Premier status. |
| Second Checked Bag | $55 prepaid / $60 airport |
| Carry On (Economy+) | Included on Economy and above |
| Carry On (Basic Economy) | NOT included on domestic Basic Economy. Personal item only. $65 gate check fee. |
| Seat Selection | Basic Economy: assigned at check in (can pay). Economy and above: included. |
| Change Fees | None on Economy and above. Basic Economy: no changes after 24 hour cancellation window. |
| Boarding Groups | 6 groups. Uses seat position system in economy: window, then middle, then aisle. Basic Economy boards last. |
| Premium Cabins | Polaris Business (lie flat), First Class, Economy Plus (extra legroom). Starlink WiFi coming 2027. |
Is United Airlines Right for You?
- You need the broadest international network from the U.S., especially to Asia and Europe
- You fly through Newark, Denver, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco, or Dulles
- You hold the Chase United card and get carry on access, free bags, and priority boarding on every fare
- You want Star Alliance partner access for booking through Lufthansa, ANA, or Singapore Airlines
- You book Economy or above and avoid the Basic Economy restrictions entirely
- You book Basic Economy and expect to bring a carry on bag (personal item only on domestic)
- You want to earn miles on the cheapest fare (general members earn zero on Basic Economy)
- You value operational consistency above all else (Delta consistently scores higher)
- You fly from a city where Delta dominates (Atlanta) or American dominates (DFW, Charlotte, Miami)
- You want the simplest loyalty program (MileagePlus can be complex compared to Rapid Rewards)
United Baggage at a Glance
United includes one personal item on every fare, but its most restrictive Basic Economy tickets do not come with a full size carry on bag, so confirm what your fare includes before you fly. Checked bags start at $45 for the first bag when you prepay, and free checked bags come with MileagePlus Premier status, an eligible Chase United credit card, premium cabins, or active military orders.
For the full fee table, the Basic Economy carry on rules, overweight and oversize charges, and every way to avoid a bag fee, see the United Airlines Baggage Fees Guide.
Carry-on essentials
Move through the airport fast and keep everything in its place from gate to gate.
United Boarding Groups and Seat Selection
United uses 6 boarding groups and is the only major U.S. carrier that assigns economy boarding order by seat position. The system, introduced in 2024, boards window seats before middle seats and middle seats before aisle seats. United says it saves roughly two minutes per flight.
| Group | Who Boards |
|---|---|
| 1 | Polaris Business, First Class, Global Services, Premier 1K |
| 2 | Premier Platinum, Gold, Star Alliance Gold, Chase United credit card holders |
| 3 | Economy: window seats |
| 4 | Economy: middle seats |
| 5 | Economy: aisle seats |
| 6 | Basic Economy (last to board) |
Premier members and credit card holders keep their priority boarding even on Basic Economy fares. Active military board during pre boarding before Group 1. Families with strollers and car seats can request early boarding at the gate.
For a comparison of boarding systems across all carriers, see the Airline Boarding Groups Guide.
United Basic Economy
United’s Basic Economy is the most restrictive among the three major legacy carriers. The two critical restrictions that set it apart are the carry on ban on domestic flights and the elimination of mileage earning for general members.
On domestic Basic Economy tickets, you can only bring one personal item that fits under the seat. No carry on bag is allowed in the overhead bin. If you show up with one, United charges $65 at the gate to check it. This restriction does not apply to Premier members, Star Alliance Gold members, or Chase United card holders who booked with the card. It also does not apply on international routes to South America, across the Atlantic, or across the Pacific.
As of April 2, 2026, general MileagePlus members no longer earn miles on Basic Economy fares. Elite members still earn but at reduced rates. Credit card holders earn at lower rates than standard economy. Basic Economy passengers also cannot select seats in advance (assigned at check in), are not eligible for paid or complimentary upgrades, cannot make changes after the 24 hour cancellation window, and board last in Group 6.
The practical takeaway: if you fly United without status or a credit card, the gap between Basic Economy and standard Economy is larger than on any other legacy carrier. The fare difference is often $30 to $60, but the loss of carry on access alone can cost $65 at the gate. Running the math before booking Basic Economy is essential.
MileagePlus and Loyalty Planning
MileagePlus is United’s loyalty program. Premier status is earned through a combination of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) from flight spending and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs). Tiers run from Silver through Gold, Platinum, 1K, and the invitation only Global Services. Each tier unlocks progressively earlier boarding, complimentary upgrades, bag waivers, and Economy Plus access.
The Chase United credit cards are the primary entry point. The Explorer card ($0 first year, then $95) includes one free checked bag (when booked with the card), priority boarding in Group 2, and continued mileage earning on Basic Economy. Higher tier cards add United Club access, additional bag waivers, and Premier Qualifying Point boosts.
MileagePlus is strongest for travelers who fly internationally and want Star Alliance partner access. Redeeming through Lufthansa, ANA, Singapore Airlines, or Air Canada can deliver better value per mile than booking directly on United for the same route. United also allows booking partner awards through MileagePlus.com, which simplifies the process compared to calling individual partner airlines.
United Hubs and Best Routes
United operates from six hub cities. Newark (EWR) is the primary East Coast and transatlantic hub. Houston Bush (IAH) serves Latin America and the Caribbean. Denver (DEN) is the Mountain West hub and one of the fastest growing airports in the country. Chicago O’Hare (ORD) anchors the Midwest. San Francisco (SFO) is the Pacific and Asia gateway. Washington Dulles (IAD) handles East Coast international traffic.
United has the broadest international network of any U.S. carrier. Polaris Business Class, the airline’s premium product, offers lie flat seats on most long haul routes. The airline is investing in fleet modernization with new Airbus A350 aircraft and Polaris Studio seats designed for more privacy. Starlink satellite WiFi is expected to replace the current system by 2027, which will provide faster and more consistent connectivity.
United is strongest for international travel from the U.S., especially to Europe through Newark, to Asia through San Francisco, and to Latin America through Houston. It is weakest in the domestic Southeast, where Delta dominates Atlanta and American controls Charlotte and Miami.
Common United Booking Mistakes
Booking Basic Economy without a credit card and showing up with a carry on. The $65 gate check fee for a domestic carry on on Basic Economy is the most expensive surprise in domestic air travel. Either get the Chase United card, upgrade to Economy, or pack in a personal item.
Not holding a Chase United card. The Explorer card costs $95 per year (free the first year) and provides a free checked bag, carry on access on Basic Economy, priority boarding in Group 2, and mileage earning on all fares. One round trip with a checked bag covers the annual fee.
Assuming all legacy carriers treat Basic Economy the same. United is the only one that bans carry on bags on domestic Basic Economy. Delta and American both allow carry on bags on their basic fares. This distinction matters when comparing fares across airlines.
Ignoring Economy Plus for seat selection. Economy Plus offers extra legroom and can be purchased as an upgrade for $30 to $80 per segment depending on the route. It also boards in Group 2, giving you guaranteed overhead bin space.
Comparing base fares without total cost. United’s fares may look similar to Spirit or Frontier, but the total cost picture changes depending on whether you need a carry on, checked bag, or seat selection. For a full comparison, see the Airline Baggage Fees Guide.
FAQ
Does United Basic Economy include a carry on bag?
No, not on domestic flights. Personal item only. $65 gate check fee if you bring a carry on. Exceptions: international routes, Premier members, Star Alliance Gold, and Chase United card holders who booked with the card.
How much does United charge for checked bags?
First bag $45 prepaid / $50 airport. Second bag $55 / $60. Third bag $200. Free bags for Premier members, Chase United card holders (must book with card), military, and premium cabin.
How many boarding groups does United have?
6 groups. Groups 1-2: premium cabins, elite status, credit cards. Groups 3-5: economy by seat position (window, middle, aisle). Group 6: Basic Economy.
Does United Basic Economy earn MileagePlus miles?
No for general members as of April 2, 2026. Elite members earn at reduced rates. Credit card holders earn at lower rates. Basic Economy does not count toward Premier Qualifying Flights.
What are the United Airlines hub cities?
Six hubs: Newark, Houston Bush, Denver, Chicago O’Hare, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles.
Is the Chase United card worth it?
For travelers who fly United at least once per year, yes. Free checked bag, carry on on Basic Economy, Group 2 boarding. $95/year (free first year). One round trip with a checked bag covers the fee.
For more airline coverage including baggage fees, boarding groups, and carrier news, see the Airline Travel Guides hub.