United Airlines: the complete traveler's guide

Everything you need for a United trip in one place, hubs and routes, cabins from Basic Economy to United Polaris, baggage, check-in and MileagePlus, plus how to reach United directly or get help from a live BargainAirTicket agent, 24/7 in English and Spanish.

BargainAirTicket is an independent travel agency. We are not United Airlines and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by United Airlines. This guide is for information only. You can manage your booking yourself at united.com at no cost. If you'd rather we handle it, our agents assist for a service fee, quoted before you're charged.

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About United Airlines

A quick profile of the carrier.

Founded in 1926, United Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines, headquartered in Chicago. It operates a vast domestic US network alongside one of the broadest international route maps of any American carrier, spanning the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. United is a founding member of the Star Alliance global network and runs the MileagePlus loyalty program, with Premier status tiers for frequent flyers.

Founded

1926

Alliance

Star Alliance

Loyalty

MileagePlus

Main hub

Chicago (ORD)

What United is actually good, and bad, at

The honest version, from booking United trips every day. Not United's marketing.

Where United shines

Strengths

A genuinely huge global network through Star Alliance. United and its partners reach nearly anywhere, which matters when a flight goes down and you need another way there.
Strong US ↔ Latin America service through Houston (IAH) and Newark (EWR), often a single connection from either coast.
United Polaris business class on long-haul international routes, lie-flat seats and direct-aisle access on eligible aircraft.
No weight or breed limit for an in-cabin pet, a real edge over airlines that cap in-cabin pets by pounds. The only test is whether the carrier fits under the seat.

Where it stings

Watch out

Basic Economy is punishing on most routes, personal item only, no carry-on bag, except flights to/from South America and transatlantic or transpacific routes.
Unaccompanied minors are nonstop-only, zero connections allowed at any age from 5 to 17, stricter than American or Delta. No nonstop on your route means no booking at all.
No bereavement fare, United phased it out years ago. A death in the family or a medical emergency books as a regular fare; the only recourse is asking about a change-fee waiver on the call.

That's our read as agents who book United trips daily. Tell us your trip and we'll steer you around the weak spots.

Hubs & route network

Where the airline is based and where it flies.

United runs one of the largest hub systems in the country, coast to coast and into the world's biggest gateways. Your United trip most likely connects through one of these:

ORD

Chicago O'Hare

Primary hub

DEN

Denver

Hub

IAH

Houston Intercontinental

Hub

EWR

Newark

East Coast hub

SFO

San Francisco

Pacific gateway

IAD

Washington Dulles

Hub

LAX

Los Angeles

West Coast hub

Chicago O'Hare (ORD) is United's primary connecting point, but its strength is breadth, hubs at Denver, Houston, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles and Los Angeles feed a genuinely global network, so many United itineraries connect through the hub nearest you.

United Airlines route network

Schematic of the airline's main hubs and popular routes we book, not to scale. For the full current network, see united.com.

Connecting through Houston or Newark, what to expect

Houston (IAH) is United's main Latin America gateway; Newark (EWR) is the East Coast hub for international connections. This is our own read on what actually happens on the ground, not a United-published rule.

If you're connecting internationally through either airport, the sequence is the same one every international arrival to the US goes through:

1 · Immigration:

Everyone arriving from outside the US clears US Customs & Border Protection passport control first, whether you land at IAH or EWR. Lines build fastest when several wide-bodies land in the same window.

2 · Claim your checked bags:

Even when you're only connecting, you collect your checked bags and carry them through Customs, they are not forwarded automatically to your onward United flight.

3 · Re-check for your onward flight:

Just past Customs, you drop your bags again at the connections re-check point before heading to your next gate.

4 · Back through security, possibly a terminal change:

You clear TSA screening again and walk to your domestic or onward gate. Depending on your specific flight, that can mean a walk between terminals at either airport, check your boarding pass for the gate, not just the airport code.

United does not publish a public minimum connection time for Houston or Newark, so we won't invent one. What actually eats your time is the interior sequence above, and it's easy to underestimate when you're booking based on the clock alone. Our advice: build in real margin on any connecting itinerary through IAH or EWR, and tell us your connection, we'll flag whether yours looks genuinely tight. (This is our own analysis, not a United-published rule.)

Entry sequence per standard US Customs & Border Protection process for international arrivals. Confirm your terminal and current minimum connection times directly with United.

Popular routes we book

Call for phone-only fares.

Chicago → Denver ORD, DENCall for fare Newark → San Francisco EWR, SFOCall for fare Houston → Mexico City IAH, MEXCall for fare Chicago → London ORD, LHRCall for fare

Fares & cabins, what's included

United's cabins, from the lowest fare up. Exact inclusions vary by route and aircraft.

Basic Economy

The lowest, most restricted fare. Seat assigned at check-in, last boarding group, and generally no changes. Best only when price is the only thing that matters, and always worth checking before you assume.

United Economy

The standard Economy experience, advance seat selection, normal boarding and full MileagePlus earning, with change fees removed on most routes.

Economy Plus

Extra legroom in the Economy cabin, further forward and with earlier deplaning. A paid upgrade on most fares, and a Premier benefit for eligible members.

Premium Plus

United's premium economy on long-haul aircraft, a wider seat, more recline, enhanced dining and amenities for the price step below business.

United First / United Business

United First is the domestic first-class cabin; United Business is the branded business product on many international and premium transcontinental routes.

United Polaris

The international business-class flagship, with lie-flat seats, direct-aisle access on eligible aircraft, and Polaris lounges and dining.

Not sure which fare fits your trip and budget? An agent can compare them for you on the call.

Not sure which fare or route is best?

Tell an agent your dates and we'll find the right option, plus phone-only fares across 500+ airlines.

Call +1 (833) 667-2918

Baggage, the essentials

General guidance. Your exact allowance depends on your cabin, route and Premier status.

Carry-on:

Most fares include a full-size carry-on plus a personal item. Basic Economy is the exception on many routes, it often allows only a personal item, so confirm before you pack.

Checked bags:

Charged by count and weight on most domestic and shorter international routes; some long-haul and premium cabins include them. Premier status and eligible United cards can waive checked-bag charges.

Overweight / oversize / special items:

Cheaper added in advance than at the airport. Sports gear, instruments and oversize items usually need advance arrangement and follow specific rules.

We can confirm your exact allowance and pre-pay bags for you, just call.

Check-in & boarding

How to be ready on the day.

United online check-in on united.com and in the United app generally opens 24 hours before departure and closes a set time before the flight. It's the easiest way to check in, save a mobile boarding pass and pick from the seats still open.

Airport bag-drop and boarding cutoffs vary by airport and by domestic vs. international, arrive earlier for international departures. United boards by numbered groups; Polaris, Business, First, Premier members and Economy Plus board earlier, and Basic Economy boards in the last group.

MileagePlus loyalty program

The airline's frequent-flyer program.

MileagePlus lets you earn and redeem miles on United and Star Alliance partners for flights, upgrades, seats and more. Higher Premier tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum and 1K) unlock priority check-in and boarding, complimentary Economy Plus and upgrade eligibility, free checked bags and lounge access on eligible fares. If you have a MileagePlus number, give it to us when booking and we'll add it to your reservation so nothing is missed.

United Airlines: frequently asked

Quick answers, call us for anything specific to your booking.

How do I change or cancel my United flight?+

It depends on your fare. United Economy and above have no change fee on most US and many international routes; Basic Economy generally can't be changed. The US 24-hour risk-free window applies to any fare booked at least a week before departure. Have your confirmation number ready and call us, or manage it at united.com.

What happens if United cancels or delays my flight?+

You're generally entitled to rebooking on the next available flight or a refund; extra rights can apply by route and cause. Seats fill quickly during disruptions, so call us right away and we'll re-route you.

What is MileagePlus and do miles expire?+

MileagePlus is United's loyalty program. You earn and redeem miles on United and Star Alliance partners for flights and upgrades, and reach Premier status tiers for added benefits. Give us your MileagePlus number when booking and we'll add it to your reservation.

How do I travel with a pet or as an unaccompanied minor on United?+

These need advance arrangement and have specific rules that vary by route. Call us and we'll set them up correctly on your reservation, or arrange them yourself at united.com.