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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Carry-on: One carry-on item and one personal item, such as a laptop, is allowed per passenger. The carry-on item must not exceed 45 linear in (length + height + width).
Checked: On domestic and international flights, two items are allowed. Items must not exceed 50lbs each and linear dimensions of 62in. For flights to Brazil, two items are permitted with a maximum weight of 70lbs per bag.
Excess: Oversized and overweight bags will be charged an excess fee. No bag, however, will be carried if it has linear dimensions greater than 115 inches, or weighs more than 100lbs. There is a fee of $50 per bag for overweight items and $100 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 U.S., San Juan, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada when accompanied by an adult. Call the reservations number to inform the airline that the child will be traveling 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 program 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 at 1-800-UNITED-1. There is a cost of $85 each way.
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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 programs are shown on all flights.
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Mileage Plus, the frequent flyer program for United, allows passengers to earn miles when flying with United or any of their partners.
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There’s nothing like heading up in the skies to work up an appetite. Check out the airline’s menu before you fly so you can decide if you need to bring any extras. See photographs taken by fellow flyers of meals they’ve been served and read reviews at AirlineMeals.net.
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Moby Dick, War and Peace, Leaves of Grass… Do you need to pack a weighty tome or will the in-flight magazine keep you happily occupied for the duration of the flight? United's in-flight magazine, Hemispheres, is published monthly. It is available on every flight and can be read online.
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