An Informative Guide to United Airlines Check in Policy
After flight booking on United Airlines, check-in may be the next step you look for. It is an essential step that shows the airline your clear intent to travel. Looking at its importance, United Airlines check in policy has come into existence. It includes airline rules to get the boarding pass, pick a seat and check in baggage. That further helps to complete a smooth and organized travel experience.
United Airlines achieves this by offering different ways to check-in. The blog below includes all those methods and how to use them. Therefore, go check out if you want to smoothly finish the check-in process with United Airlines.
What is the Check-in Policy for United Airlines?
United Airlines has some particular policies for completing the check-in process. Every passenger needs to comply with them to check-in on United. If you want to know what are those, then check out the following:
- United Airlines check-in starts 24 hours prior to scheduled departure.
- Minimum time limit for check in, baggage check in, and boarding depends on departure airport and destination.
- It is must to submit visa and passport if you have an international flight. Verify them through a Travel Ready Center or through United agent on reaching the airport.
- Complete the check in online, through app, or at the airport.
- Download the boarding pass and complete the online check-in to display at the airport.
- Domestic travel requires you to arrive two hours early, whereas
- International travel requires you to arrive three hours early before flight.
- Keep some extra time for check-in during morning or evening hours along with holidays.
- TSA security check hours can differ sometimes. Therefore, check it in advance before departing for airport.
- As per United Airline check in policy, you should be at the gate 15 minutes prior to boarding starts for U.S bound flights.
- Similarly, for international flights, you should present at the gate minimum 30 minutes before boarding.
Note: United Airlines updates its policies every now and then. Therefore, must check its websites for latest check in rules for your flight.
Different Check-In Options with United Airlines
United Airlines provides various types of check-in to passengers. Therefore, it is important to learn about them. So, check out them below:
United Airlines Check-in Options: Online, Mobile, Airport, and More
United offers various methods to complete the check in to passengers. Therefore, you can select any of them at your convenience:
Online Check-in (Web Check-in)
United Airlines opens an online check-in window 24 hours prior to flight. It remains open till 30 minutes before domestic flight and 60 minutes prior to international flight. Therefore, finish your check-in by visiting United Airlines website, and print your boarding pass to show at the airport. It ultimately saves time.
- If you satisfy conditions to complete check in online, visit United.com
- Look for check-in option.
- Provide your booking confirmation number and last name or
- Login to MileagePlus account
- Complete the check-in process and
- Download the e-boarding pass on your mobile device to get on the flight.
Mobile Check-in
United Airlines offers a convenient feature to complete check-in. It only requires a mobile device and access to internet. It allows you to pick your desired seat, print e ticket etc everything on your mobile.
- Download United application on your device.
- Go to the “Manage my Booking” section.
- Log in to your account by entering the reservation number and last name.
- Next, search for “Check-in” option.
- Follow the instructions to complete the process.
- Lastly, get your boarding pass on your mobile device to show at the airport.
- If you have an international flight, also scan the passport and visa through mobile app.
Voice Check-in
You can also choose to do voice check-in for your flight. It requires you to call United Airlines customer service at 1-800-864-8331 and give prompt “Check in” by voice. Then, the automated process will guide you and send you check-in confirmation by email.
Auto Check-in
United Airlines also has an auto check in option that you can request during booking. It will further check in you automatically, 24 hours before flight and send the boarding pass through email.
Curbside Check-in (at Airport)
This type of check in allows you to complete flight check in, receive the boarding pass and check the luggage from outside airport terminal. So, it offers a great option to those who have relatively heavy luggage.
Self-Service Kiosk Check-in (at Airport)
Passengers can find the kiosk machines at different corners throughout the airport. It allows them to check their bags, complete the check-in and print boarding passes by themselves. Further, it saves their time by helping them avoid the long queues.
Check-in through Ticket Counter (At Airport)
Last but not the least, take help of an airline representative if you can not check-in on your own. Under this, passengers have to reach the airport a few hours before flight and visit the ticket counter. Further, provide your ID and other details to the executive. Later, the person will help you receive the booking confirmation, check in luggage and get the boarding pass.
United Airlines Check-in Requirements for Domestic and International Flights
United has set a time limit when a passenger can complete check in on a flight. The time differs with the flight type and whether you are flying without or without a checked bag. If you do not meet the airline check in conditions in any case, then it can reject your booking. Therefore, check out the below time limit:
Domestic Flight
- As per United Airlines check in policy for domestic flights, a passenger should consider the following check in restrictions.
- When you are travelling without a checked bag: check In minimum 30 minutes prior to flight.
- Whereas when you travel with checked bags: Check In minimum 45 minutes prior to flight.
International Flight
- As per United Airlines check in policy for international flights, a passenger is usually required to complete the process 60 minutes prior to flight.
- It does not matter whether you are traveling with or without checked baggage.
Note: please remember that the above check in time limits may vary with the destinations.
United Airlines Baggage Check in Policy
You may or may not be traveling with baggage. Accordingly, the baggage check-in time differs on United. Beside that, whether you are flying domestically or internationally also affects the check-in time for baggage. Based on that, the following scenarios develop.
- United Airlines allows passengers to complete a check in for a bag when online window opens.
Otherwise, they have to do it minimum 45 minutes before domestic flight and 60 minutes prior to international flight.
The above time may vary with a destination that you can check in the table given below:
| Destinations | Baggage Check In Time Limit |
| Flights between Micronesia and the Marshall Islands | Domestic: 90 minutes before flight
International: 90 minutes before departure |
| Mammoth Lakes (MMH) | Domestic:30 Minutes prior to flight
International: 60 minutes before departure |
| Saipan (SPN) | Domestic: 90 Minutes prior to flight
International: 90 minutes before departure |
| Guam (GUM) | Domestic: 60 Minutes before flight |
| Guam to Honolulu (GUM to HNL) | Domestic: 90 Minutes before flight |
Eligibility Criteria for Online Check-In with United Airlines
Not all booking on United fall eligible for check-in through United website. Therefore, you should know them in advance. So, check out the below list for complete details:
Reservations Eligible for Online Check In
- The first flight in a reservation is United-operated.
- The maximum number of segments included in the reservation is equal to and less than four.
- Traveling with not more than nine passengers.
- You have a passport previously scanned through United app
- If you are able to scan your passport through United app to finish check-in or through kiosk available at the airport.
Reservations Not Eligible
- When your booking includes a special service request that demands you to check with an agent at the airport.
- You have made the booking offline and have a ticket in paper form.
- Booked ticket in Basic Economy until or unless you specially mention to check a bag.
Conclusion
We can conclude from above article that United Airlines offers enough time to passengers to finish check-in. However, they have to check the United Airlines check-in policy for that. The airline keeps on changing its rules as per circumstances. Therefore, it is necessary to check them in advance. United Airlines provides various ways to complete check-in process. So, passengers can choose any of them. However, you can contact United Airlines representatives if you still need help regarding the check in process.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I check-in on United Airlines?
You can finish check-in 24 hours prior to flight when online check-in window opens. It remains open till 30 minutes remain for domestic flights and 45 minutes for international flights.
Is it possible to check the bags on United app or website?
Yes. You can check your bags by visiting United website or through mobile app. Alternatively, you can use bag drops shortcut.
Can I check-in on United website if I purchase ticket from travel agency?
Yes. You can check-in through United website if you hold an e ticket.