United advises passengers to check in 90 minutes before departure for domestic flights and two hours before departure for international routes. You can also check-in online from 24 hours before travel until one hour before on domestic flights and two hours before for international flights. You may also check in at self-service airport kiosks.
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Hand luggage: one item and one personal item, such as a laptop, is allowed per passenger. The bag must not exceed 114 linear cm (length + width + height).
Checked: for domestic routes, two items are allowed. Items must not exceed 23kg each and linear dimensions of 158cm. On international routes, two items can be checked free of charge, with maximum weight of 45kg each and maximum linear dimensions of 158cm. Some exceptions apply to flights to certain countries.
Excess: oversized and overweight bags will be charged an excess fee. No bag, however, will be carried if it has linear dimensions greater than 292 linear cm, or weighs more than 45kg. There is a fee of $50 (£25) per bag for overweight items and $100 (£50) per bag for oversized items. Additional bags beyond the free allowance are charged per bag, costing between $85 and $200 per piece, depending on how many extra bags are checked in.
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Changes can be made online if you are a Mileage Plus customer with an e-ticket and a password and online profile. Any difference in fares will be automatically calculated, and billed to your credit card if the difference is more, or automatically refunded if it is less. Bookings made through travel agents must be changed through the agents.
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One infant, under two years old, can travel for free within the US, San Juan, US Virgin Islands and Canada when accompanied by an adult. Call the reservations number to inform the airline that the child will be travelling on your lap. Children can also travel in a seat for 50 per cent of the price of an adult ticket. To purchase a seat for an infant, call the reservations number listed below. Children five to seven can travel unaccompanied on non-stop and direct routes and children eight to 12 can travel unaccompanied on all United flights. Fees apply for unaccompanied minors. Children 12 to 17 are allowed to travel as adults.
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Available for those over 55 if you're a member of Silver Wings Plus. The programme includes discounts on airfares as well as the chance to earn extra air miles.
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Dogs or cats can travel in the cabin, as checked luggage or unaccompanied as cargo. For other pets, you need to contact United reservations.
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Standard baggage allowances apply. A separate seat may be purchased to carry a large or fragile instrument instead of checking it. It's a good idea to make arrangements for large instruments prior to the date of departure. Checked items that exceed the standard allowance are subject to additional fees.
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Complimentary meals are only available on first and business class and on international flights. Fresh food menus are available in all other classes, at around $5 - only cash is accepted. Movies and television programmes are shown on all flights.
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Mileage Plus, the frequent flyer programme for United, allows passengers to earn miles when flying with United or any of their partners.
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United's in-flight magazine, Hemispheres, is published monthly. It is available on every flight and can be read online.
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