United luggage question

[Dreams&wishes]

This is the first time we book a US domestic flight and things are a bit different compared to Europe and Australia.

I have booked a basic economy ticket, it says that I'm unable to pre pay for luggage and that I need to do it at the airport. Is there a chance that when I arrive at the airport they won't have enough space for our suitcases? We are traveling from Australia and will have a few large suitcases.

Thanks

 

[Anthony1971]

I have never heard of an airline not having room. The worst that happens is luggage will be moved to a different flight due to weight of a plane. If this happens it is the airlines responsibility to deliver your luggage to you. This can happen no matter when you pay but is not something that happens often. BTW in the USA even flying international has basic economy now which means no bags no seat assignments and no changes.

 

[gmi3804]

Like Disney, when the question is, "Can I pay more to..," the answer at airlines is always, "Yes."

You'll be able to check and pay for bags upon check-in, no problem.

 

[Dreams&wishes]

We also have basic airlines, but you always buy your luggage before the flight!

It seems strange to buy it at the airport what if there are unknowns?

 

[Best Guest]

what if there are unknowns

Like what?

 

[Anthony1971]

There is usually and with you United I have always had the ability to prepay with a discount. I say usually only because maybe booking from outside the USA for a USA flight is different. You should be able to chat through the app or by signing in if there is no in country number you can call. Otherwise I would not at all be concerned with paying at the airport… Most in the USA travel with as a little as possible to what is included with their ticket or by having the credit card or status because of those fees. The problem with United and not a real problem is many have status with them AKA boarding group 2 but few have the high level which includes free bags and automatic upgrades.

 

[Dreams&wishes]

Like what?

Like a big group coming in with heaps of suitcases and not having any more space to store ours!

 

[_19disnA]

I doubt you will have any issue. As someone else mentioned, if their is an issue with the plane being overloaded, likely the airline won't know that until they are actually loading the luggage onto the aircraft. It would then be their responsibility to get the luggage to its final destination even if that means putting it on a different flight. Not anything I would worry about. Every aircraft has a max take-off weight which is determined by adding the number of passengers + weight of luggage + fuel. The airline manages that to ensure the flight is within operating limits and passengers would never be aware of that.

If you are concerned this will be an issue, just show up early to check-in since the airlines have NO idea how many others AFTER you might decide to bring extra luggage.

 

[redrosesix]

This is the first time we book a US domestic flight and things are a bit different compared to Europe and Australia.

I have booked a basic economy ticket, it says that I'm unable to pre pay for luggage and that I need to do it at the airport. Is there a chance that when I arrive at the airport they won't have enough space for our suitcases? We are traveling from Australia and will have a few large suitcases.

Thanks

There are some flights in the US which don't allow any checked bags, some which don't allow any carry ons, and most allow both...but you have to pay fees

If there isn't enough room on your flight for your bags, they will ship them to your airport on another flight...if possible an earlier flight and then your bags are waiting for you by the carousel. United does have ticket tiers which allow free bags but most people don't use them. They're a great airline for customer service so just chat or call them. We live in Canada but we fly United whenever possible if we can't get a direct flight...their planes go south rather than zigzagging across Canada before going towards Florida.

 

[gmi3804]

Like a big group coming in with heaps of suitcases and not having any more space to store ours!

A big group will have limits too. This shouldn't affect your ability to check your bag.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Maybe you can’t pay because it’s included? Sounds like you’re flying across the Pacific.

https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/inflight/basic-economy.html#your-bags

As for worries about other people checking too much- that’s not a thing. These airplanes are beasts and UA charges big bucks for bags and even more, for more bags. They have so much room they even do cargo shipping. Your plane will not be too full for your bags.

 

[_19disnA]

There are some flights in the US which don't allow any checked bags......

Never heard of that on any domestic airline, which one does that???

 

[jimmymc]

I've never heard of a domestic flight not allowing anyone else to check bags. Just be aware that after the first two bags, prices go up dramatically. I'm also very surprised you can't pay for bags ahead of time, since United normally lets me do that even for basic economy.

 

[seashoreCM]

Basic economy does not unduly deny checking bags although the fee might be higher compared with regular economy.
"No bags" in basic economy refers to carryons.

 

[redrosesix]

Never heard of that on any domestic airline, which one does that???

I think it's for unsold flights which are being offered at discounts, or flights with multiple carriers. But it is possible for people to fly carry on only when you don't have to worry about winter.