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• United Airlines

United Airlines Reviews: What to Know Before Flying

Here's everything you need to know before you book your flight.

The history of United Airlines dates back nearly 100 years, when Varney Air Lines (which would eventually become part of United) launched its first flight in a tiny Swallow airplane on April 6, 1926. The journey was a mail run from Pasco, Washington, to Elko, Nevada, via Boise, Idaho.

Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest airlines in the world, with a fleet of over 1,300 planes (including both mainline and regional aircrafts) operating more than 4,500 flights across five continents. The airline introduced its frequent-flier program in May 1981, founded the Star Alliance in 1997, and became the first North American carrier to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2012, among other milestones.

With hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., chances are United Airlines flies to most of the places you want to go. That's why you might be wondering what the flight experience is like before you buy a ticket. Here's everything you need to know about United Airlines and United Airlines reviews before booking.

Fare Classes

United offers several fare classes with different restrictions and allowances for each. In broad terms, they include:

Basic Economy

Economy plus.

• First Class (domestic and regional)

Premium Plus

Polaris business class.

You will want to be sure of what you're selecting before hitting that booking button.

At the bottom of the heap is Basic Economy . While cheaper than other fare classes, your seat will be automatically assigned prior to boarding and you won't be able to change it (though you can pay for a seat assignment of your choice). Group or family seating is not available unless you're traveling with children 12 and under. You waive your right to a full-sized carry-on bag on certain routes, though personal items (i.e. under-the-seat bags) are allowed. With Basic, you'll also board last. And if you're going for Premier elite status with the airline, these fares won't count as segments toward your tier.

In a United Airlines review, Yelper Mark said, "I strongly advise people avoid the basic economy tickets. Yes, I saved about $50, but there were many hassles."

Regular economy seating includes limited advanced seating assignments unless you have elite status. However, if you buy up to an Economy Plus ticket, you'll have more options at the time of purchase, or after. It's the same with Premium Plus (premium economy), first class, or Polaris business class.

Flight Change and Cancellation Policies

United's change and cancellation policies really depend on the type of ticket you've purchased and your destination.

If you purchase a ticket in:

• First Class

And are traveling:

• Within the U.S., or to the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico
• Between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean
• To international destinations from the U.S.

You will not pay a fee to change your tickets . If the price goes down, you will receive a future flight credit from the airline – but just note that this will expire 12 months from the date of issue of your original ticket. You will, however, have to pay a fare difference if the price goes up. One unlucky passenger named Paul claimed in a United Airlines review that his flight was cancelled and he was prompted to rebook, only to find he was on the hook for an extra $1,200.

Basic Economy tickets purchased before April 30, 2021, can be changed for free, but most issued on or after May 1, 2021 are non-changeable and non-refundable.

If you would like to standby for a different flight, say if there's one with more convenient timing, expect to pay $75 unless you're a Premier Gold elite or higher.

Baggage Policies and Fees

Whether or not you can check a bag for free will depend on the ticket you buy and whether you have Premier elite status or a United credit card. Luckily, United has a handy calculator to figure out what you might need to pay depending on your specific flights, class of service, and elite status.

Basic Economy fliers are allowed to bring one small personal item on board that can fit under the seat in front of them, though they can bring larger carry-ons on transatlantic and transpacific flights from the U.S. as well as on flights to South America. Whatever you do, don't wait to check your carry-on at the gate or you'll be charged an extra $25 on top of the standard bag fee.

If you happen to have certain United credit cards or status within the MileagePlus loyalty program, or you're traveling with a Premier member, you'll be able to take along one free carry-on bag.

Those traveling in Basic Economy must pay for checked bags, too, except if your destination lies across the Pacific Ocean, in which case, you can get one bag checked free of charge.

All other fare classes

Economy passengers with no elite status can prepay $30 (or $35 when you check in) to check a bag, though they do get a free checked bag on some international itineraries. As for carry-on bags, they're typically included in the price of your economy ticket.

Premium Plus passengers get two checked bags of up to 50 pounds for free, and those in first or business class get two free checked bags up to 70 pounds each for free.

If in doubt, call the airline to confirm your baggage allowance based on your fare class and destination. Otherwise, you could rack up hundreds of dollars in extra charges, as was the case for a United passenger named Wilfin , who thought he could check bags for free, but ended up paying nearly $500 out of pocket.

Boarding Order

Groups are asked to board the plane in the following order:

• Pre-boarding of unaccompanied minors, families with small children (ages two and under), active military members, any passengers needing extra time, United Premier 1K and United Global Services members
• United Premier Platinum and United Premier Gold members, Star Alliance Gold members, and those in Polaris, first, and business class
• Premier Silver and Star Alliance Silver members, those with Premier Access or priority boarding privileges, and United credit cardholders
• Those seated in Economy Plus
• Passengers seated in Economy
• Anyone with a Basic Economy ticket

Sounds orderly, right? Not according to a United Airlines review by Tripadvisor user lmliooper , who once witnessed something that was quite the opposite. "Boarding was declared on the screen in the lounge and on reaching the gate, it was total confusion! Boarding was en masse, [a] free for all! It was not in any particular order even though the groups for boarding were printed on boarding cards ... strangely, boarding was neither by class nor row numbers."

Perhaps it was just a random kerfuffle, but you might to do well to show up at the gate early to improve your chances of embarking ahead of other interlopers.

Seats and Legroom

Like many other carriers, United Airlines has diversified its range of seat and cabin offerings in recent years. What's available will depend on the route you're flying and the type of aircraft operating it.

Economy seats tend to be between 16 and 18 inches wide and usually have 30 to 31 inches of pitch (the distance between the back of your seat and the one in front), with around two to three inches of recline. The layout ranges from 2 by 2 across the aisle on regional aircraft to 3 by 3 on mainline planes and 3–3–3 or 3–4–3 on larger jets like the Boeing 777.

Tripadvisor contributor RTrips7 summed it up succinctly in their United Airlines review: "Seats are narrow and there's not much legroom."

Expect the same seating configuration you'll find in economy, but add three or four more inches of legroom. According to a United Airlines review by Yelper Derek , who was flying cross-country from Boston, "Economy Plus was an extra $97," on his flight, "and well worth the five inches of legroom for a 5.5-hour flight!"

United First

The airline's domestic first class product consists of wide recliner seats, usually in a 2 by 2 layout. Expect them to be 19 to 24 inches wide with 37 to 42 inches of pitch, and five or six inches of recline.

United's international and transcontinental premium economy section feels a lot like domestic first class. Only found on larger planes, it's laid out in a 2–3–2 or 2–4–2 configuration with seats that are 18 to 19 inches wide with 38 inches of pitch and six inches of recline.

In a United Airlines review, a passenger named Nat flew in Premium Plus from Auckland to San Francisco and said, "The extra legroom, size of seat, and double armrest between seats made for a very comfortable trip... This is the way to go on international flights without paying the higher cost... for business class."

It might seem odd that a business class cabin is more premium than a first class cabin, but United Polaris business class is indeed the airline's flagship international product. Seats are arranged in a staggered 1–2–1 pattern and are 20.5 to 22 inches wide, reclining to 78-inch lie-flat beds.

According to Tripadvisor contributor DEP3's United Airlines review, "Cheap, it isn't, but if you have oodles of reward points and are willing to add several hundred dollars in addition, nothing beats flying Polaris for long flights — the bed, the service, the space: wow!"

Depending on how you plan to spend your time on board, here are the services you can expect.

In-flight Wi-Fi

United offers in-flight Wi-Fi for a fee on all its mainline aircraft and two-cabin regional planes. That said, the airline engages four distinct providers, so you'll need to check the services and prices for your specific flight. And as several Yelpers have noted in recent United Airlines reviews, that access can be inconsistent to say the least.

In general, it'll cost you $8 or 800 miles to use onboard Wi-Fi if you're a member of United's MileagePlus loyalty program (for everyone else, it's $10) on domestic and short-haul international hops to Canada and Mexico. Otherwise, the price really depends on where you're going and how long it'll take you to get there. Either way, you'll still be able to send messages for free via WhatsApp, iMessage, or Messages by Google, and have access the United app, website, and included onboard entertainment options. Thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile , passengers who are T-Mobile customers can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, streaming, and texting on select flights.

Power Outlets

The availability of power outlets can also vary dramatically by aircraft type (Yelpers have made their ire heard ), so double check that it is one of the in-flight amenities on any flights you're considering booking by referring to this handy guide . If you're flying internationally, you should have a plug at your seat, or at least one to share with a neighbor.

In-flight Entertainment

As for in-flight entertainment , you can check the availability of seat-back screens as well as featured content for your specific flight on United's reference page . Selections generally include hundreds of movies and television shows, musical albums, games, and DIRECTV on some Boeing 737 flights. In a recent United Airlines review, a passenger named Richard , flying between Newark and Tokyo, noted that the systems provided, "Excellent entertainment and a good choice of movies."

Food and Beverage

According to United's website , economy passengers flying more than 500 miles will have access to options like snack boxes, available for purchase, while those flying over 1,500 miles can choose to purchase items from the Bistro on Board menu . Be aware that on flights under 800 miles, economy passengers will not be offered free snacks, so pack your own if you tend to get the munchies in the air. Note that more substantial snacks, pre-packaged hot meals, and complimentary wine, beer, and spirits are available in premium cabins free of charge.

If you're flying international long-haul (over 800 miles), you can expect to receive full pre-packaged meals on a single tray, plus additional snacks mid-flight and before arrival in all cabins. While more gourmet options are available in Premium Select and Polaris business class, after combing through hundreds of United Airlines reviews by passengers on Tripadvisor, SkyTrax, and Yelp, food seems to be one of the airline's shortcomings across all fare classes, so be sure to pack a snack just in case.

United Airlines Credit Cards

Carrying one of United's co-branded credit cards can make all the difference, not only when it comes to racking up award miles to use on future trips, but also for enjoying more day-of-travel perks with the airline.

The United Quest Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 80,000 miles and 500 Premier Qualifying Points (or PQPs, which count toward additional perks) after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account. The card also comes with a $125 annual United purchase credit, which can save you money on flights. Cardholders also get their first and second bags checked for free, as well as other benefits like priority boarding, up to two 5,000-mile flight credits per year when you redeem your miles for flights, and up to $100 in statement credits to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. The annual fee for this card is $250.

For high-end fliers, the United Club Infinite Card costs $525 per year, but includes United Club membership, worth up to $650 per year, among its benefits. You'll also get up to two free checked bags; Premier Access to expedited check-in, security, and boarding; and a $100 fee credit toward your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application. The card's welcome bonus offers 80,000 miles and 1,000 PQPs after you spend $5,000 within the first three months your account is open.

Another good option for travelers is the United Explorer Card , which lets you earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. The card comes with a first checked bag free perk, priority boarding, the same $100 statement credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck as the other two cards, and two United Club entry passes per year, among other benefits. Its $95 annual fee is waived the first year.

The United Gateway Card offers a welcome bonus of 30,000 miles after you spend $1,000 within the first three months. While the perks may not be as robust as they are with some of the others, this card still lets you get in on all the points-earning action and comes with similar travel and purchase protections, all for no annual fee.

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United Airlines Reviews and Flights

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United Airlines

Airline Alliance

Airline Summary

• Excellent 11,187
• Very Good 14,136
• Average 10,750
• Terrible 11,767
• Basic Economy
• Premium Economy
• Business Class
• First Class
• All languages ( 54,795 )
• English ( 48,668 )
• Spanish ( 1,661 )
• Portuguese ( 873 )

" Book with a different company. "

" COME FLY THE FRIENDLY SKIES BEFORE YOU MISS IT ALL! "

" Don’t fly this airline "

" Don’t recommend them! "

" Avoid United Airlines. Don't say I didn't warn ya "

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Delta vs. United Airlines: Which Is Best For You?

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Table of Contents

Where they’re based and where they fly

Reliability, basic economy, loyalty programs, travel credit card availability, if you’re choosing between delta and united.

As two of the largest U.S.-based carriers, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have many similarities, but there are a few things that set them apart. The main differences between United and Delta are:

Delta charges lower carry-on bag fees on basic economy tickets.

United is a member of Star Alliance (the largest network with 26 airlines), while Delta is part of SkyTeam (a smaller alliance with 19 airlines).

Delta’s most expensive credit card, which provides Sky Club lounge access, also offers entry to American Express Centurion Lounges, while United’s most expensive card grants entry only to United Club lounges.

United’s award tickets are generally cheaper than Delta’s.

So, which is better for your individual travel needs, preferences and budget?

A side-by-side comparison will let you decide which is better, Delta or United.

Winner for most options: United

Delta Air Lines passengers can fly to nearly 300 destinations on six continents. As a SkyTeam member, the airline partners with 18 other global carriers that cover 1,050 destinations in 166 countries.

Delta U.S. hubs:

Los Angeles.

Minneapolis.

New York (JFK and LaGuardia).

Salt Lake City.

Delta’s key international markets:

London-Heathrow.

Mexico City.

Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

Star Alliance member United Airlines covers more than 330 destinations across five continents: about 210 U.S. cities and more than 120 international destinations.

Star Alliance is the world’s largest alliance and includes 26 carriers serving more than 1,200 airports, which gives you a lot of global connection options for a vacation.

United U.S. hubs:

Houston-Intercontinental.

New York-LaGuardia.

San Francisco.

Washington-Dulles.

United’s key international markets:

Tokyo (Haneda and Narita).

Winner for reliability: Delta

Delays and other operational issues can affect your travel day significantly. Although it’s hard to achieve complete Zen while at the airport, it helps knowing which airlines are more reliable in terms of on-time arrival and tarmac delays.

We’ve compiled operational data for Delta and United between July 2022 and July 2023 and have concluded the following:

Delta beats United in on-time performance, tarmac delays and overall flight cancellation rate. When it comes to reliability, we’re going with Delta on this one.

» Learn more: Which airline is the most reliable?

Winner for lowest fees: Delta

Fees have become an integral part of air travel, but the amounts vary across the industry.

For this section, we’ve compiled a few different data points: the cost of a checked bag on a domestic itinerary, the cost of a carry-on bag when flying basic economy on domestic itineraries and the average seat selection cost.

So, which is better: Delta or United?

Although the margins are slim, Delta wins this round with the lowest fees across the board. Additionally, the checked baggage fees are the same whether you pay for a bag at check-in or at the airport. United, on the other hand, charges a bit more for deciding to check luggage at the bag drop-off point.

Additionally, Delta allows one carry-on bag that will fit in an overhead bin for free. United does not (more on this below).

» Learn more: Which airlines have the best (and worst) fees

Winner for best basic economy tickets: Delta

When pitting Delta versus United, it’s important to compare their basic economy fare policies and decide whether saving a few bucks is worth it.

As you can see, Delta’s basic economy tickets don’t earn redeemable miles or elite status credits. It also costs more to upgrade a Delta basic economy ticket to a main cabin ticket.

United, on the other hand, lets you earn more redeemable and status miles, but your flight won’t add to the flight segment tracker.

The carrier doesn’t allow you to bring a bag on board on most routes unless you’re a MileagePlus Premier member or a primary cardholder of a co-branded United credit card.

If you make it to the gate with a carry-on bag, you’ll have to check it and pay $25 in addition to the standard checked bag fee.

Overall, we’d say that for a casual flyer, the scales are slightly tipped in Delta’s favor, only because it includes a free carry-on bag when flying basic economy.

» Learn more: Basic economy vs. main cabin

Winner for the best loyalty program: United

United’s long list of partner airlines means that your miles can get you more flights to more destinations than Delta’s partnerships can deliver. Additionally, United Premier status is easier to qualify for after some recent changes to the Delta SkyMiles program.

» Learn more: Best airline rewards programs

Delta SkyMiles

With Delta, you earn redeemable miles based on the cost of your ticket and not the distance you travel, at least on Delta-marketed flights. The miles are multiplied for every dollar spent toward base fare cost. In other words, taxes and fees don’t count.

So, here’s how many miles you earn when you fly Delta and credit your flights to Delta SkyMiles.

When you fly other SkyTeam partners and credit your flight to Delta SkyMiles, you earn miles based on a percentage of distance flown based on the ticket’s fare class.

As per NerdWallet’s valuations , Delta SkyMiles are worth about 1.2 cents each.

Unfortunately, Delta doesn’t publish award charts and instead prices out its flights based on demand. In other words, you can’t always get an outsized value for your SkyMiles when mileage rates for a ticket more or less correlate with its cash rates.

A good way to redeem Delta SkyMiles is by booking one of the occasional SkyMiles Deals . This limited-time sale on award flights can get you to your destination for as few as 5,000 SkyMiles each way. Not all redemption rates will be as low, but it’s a good place to start looking for your next vacation destination.

As for Medallion status, Delta caused quite an uproar when it changed its elite status qualifications. Starting Jan. 1, 2024, the only way to earn status in the Delta SkyMiles program is by earning Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).

You’ll earn 1 MQD per dollar spent on airfare on Delta- and partner-operated flights. You also have the option to earn MQDs with a co-branded Delta SkyMiles credit card:

1 MQD for every $20 spent with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card .

1 MQD for every $10 spent with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card . Terms apply.

» Learn more: Delta SkyMiles value calculator

United MileagePlus

When you compare Delta and United, you’ll see that their flight rewards earnings are identical. Program members earn redeemable miles based on their elite level and how much they spend with the airline.

Star Alliance carrier tickets earn redeemable miles calculated by a percentage of the total distance flown and the fare class in which you booked your ticket.

Based on NerdWallet’s recent valuations , United miles are worth 1.2 cents apiece.

One of the best ways to redeem United MileagePlus miles and increase their value is by booking a multicity round-trip ticket that includes a free stopover, also known as the Excursionist Perk. By using this strategy, you can book a one-way flight within your round-trip itinerary without redeeming extra miles.

United also partners with a lot more global carriers within the Star Alliance network, which means that your miles can get you more flight options to more destinations.

United MileagePlus members can earn elite status in the program by earning Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs), or flight segments flown, and Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs).

You’ll need the following number of PQFs and PQPs to qualify for Premier status.

The PQPs are based on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges on flights, as well as seat purchases and paid upgrades.

The recent Delta Medallion program updates make United Premier status easier to earn. So, if you’re gunning for elite status with an airline and have access to both carriers from your home airport, United might be a better option for you.

» Learn more : How to maximize the United Excursionist Perk

Winner for the best airline credit card: tie

Delta and United offer credit cards with perks like free checked bags. However, Delta AmEx cards include baggage for up to nine travelers booked on the same reservation, and United limits the perk to two passengers. Terms apply.

Both also offer premium cards with airport lounge membership , but Delta has a slight edge in this regard because its premium card offers access to the Centurion Lounges as well. Terms apply.

For a casual traveler, the United℠ Explorer Card is slightly better than the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card because it comes with two one-time United Club passes. Terms apply.

Overall, both airlines’ card offerings are similar enough to call it a tie in this department. Your pick in the Delta versus United credit card battle largely comes down to which carrier you fly more often and whose credit card perks you’re likely to use.

You don't have to be a travel rewards expert to use credit cards to make travel more affordable. Here are your airline credit card options, broken down by airline.

Delta credit cards

American Express issues several co-branded credit cards to Delta flyers. Here’s a closer look at all the options, ranging from those with a $0 annual fee to one with a $550 annual fee.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (Annual fee: $0 )

Welcome bonus: Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.

Earning rates:

2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants.

1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

Other benefits:

20% back on in-flight purchases.

Pay with Miles.

No foreign transaction fees.

Terms apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $150 )

Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases, at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets.

Free checked bag for up to nine passengers.

Save 15% when redeeming SkyMiles for Delta flights.

Main Cabin 1 priority boarding.

$200 Delta credit after making $10,000 in purchases.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Annual fee: $350 )

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

3 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and directly at hotels.

2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.

Global Entry / TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit.

Delta companion certificate (domestic main cabin).

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Annual fee: $650 )

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

3 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases.

Delta companion certificate (domestic first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin).

Complimentary Delta Sky Club access (up to 15 visits per year).

Complimentary Centurion Lounge access.

United credit cards

United Gateway℠ Card (Annual fee: $0 )

Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, gas, local transit and commuting.

1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

25% back on in-flight purchases.

United℠ Explorer Card (Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95 )

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, dining and hotels.

First checked bag free for up to two passengers.

Priority boarding.

Two one-time United Club passes per year.

Earn PQPs with eligible spending.

United Quest℠ Card (Annual fee: $250 )

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases.

2 miles per $1 spent on dining, travel and select streaming services.

Up to $125 in United credit per year.

Two 5,000-mile award flight credits per year.

First and second checked bag free for up to two passengers.

United Club℠ Infinite Card (Annual fee: $525 )

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

4 miles per $1 spent on United purchases.

2 miles per $1 spent on dining and travel.

United Club membership.

Premier Access at the airport.

Avis President’s Circle membership.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

In the competition of Delta versus United, there isn’t a clear winner. Delta charges lower baggage fees and makes basic economy more tolerable for a frugal traveler.

United, on the other hand, has a stronger loyalty program, cheaper award prices and a stronger presence when it comes to global connections.

In our general airline rankings , Delta has scored 3.7/5, and United has scored 3.2/5. Overall, Delta has a higher operations reliability score, which goes a long way among travelers.

We recommend looking at which airline serves your home airport as well as the routes you want to fly and make your final decision based on that.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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COVID-19 international travel advisories

If you plan to visit the U.S., you do not need to be tested or vaccinated for COVID-19. U.S. citizens going abroad, check with the Department of State for travel advisories.

COVID-19 testing and vaccine rules for entering the U.S.

• As of May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant visitors to the U.S.  arriving by air  or  arriving by land or sea  no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 
• As of June 12, 2022,  people entering the U.S. no longer need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test . 

U.S. citizens traveling to a country outside the U.S.

Find country-specific COVID-19 travel rules from the Department of State.

See the  CDC's COVID-19 guidance for safer international travel.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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• For Travelers

Travel Overseas

This section provides information for international travelers about planning for your trip, returning home, navigating passenger processing. You can also find brochures about traveling overseas.

Travel Alerts

Travel Alerts are issued when short-term conditions that pose risks to the security of U.S. citizens.

Travel Warnings

Travel Warnings are issued when long-term conditions make a country dangerous or unstable and U.S. citizens should avoid or consider the risk of traveling to that country.

Preparing for your Trip

A passport is required for overseas travel. It is recommended to make a copy of your passport and put it in a separate place. Carry your passport - do not pack it in your checked luggage. You must present it to the Customs and Border Protection officer upon arrival in the United States.

Find out if you need to get a visa. United States citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit. If you have a visa, we recommend you make a copy and put it in a separate place. Carry your visa with you — do not pack it in your checked luggage.

Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP ) provide modified screening for pre-approved members, improve security by being more efficient during screenings at ports of entry.

Learn about the types of identification that are required for travel in the Western Hemisphere (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America). There are six types of acceptable documents for crossing US borders.

All children, including infants, must have their own passport or Trusted Traveler Program document for U.S. entry. Carry documents for traveling with minor children.

• If you are escorting a minor child without the parents, have a letter from both parents indicating that you have permission to travel with the minor.
• If the child is accompanied by only one parent, the parent should have a note from the child's other parent. For example, "I acknowledge that my wife/ husband is traveling out of the country with my son/ daughter. He/She/ has my permission to do so."
• If a single parent has sole custody, a copy of the court custody document can replace a letter from the other parent.

If bringing a dog, have a health certificate and proof of rabies vaccinations from a veterinarian in your country of residence. Prior to your trip, check with your airline for its rules on transporting animals – many airlines require a health certificate.

Returning Home

Find out what is prohibited or restricted before you pack for your trip. Products that would harm community health, public safety and domestic plant and animal life are restricted from entering the United States and are subject to seizure by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency .

Other considerations for packing:

• Carry only medication needed for the trip in its original container. Do not pack it.
• Carry only the jewelry needed for the trip. Do not pack it.

Navigating Passenger Processing

When planning connecting flights to or from the United States, allow at least two hours between flights. Allow time for CBP processing that must be completed at your first port of entry.

If entering the United States by air or sea, you will receive en route a CBP Declaration Form 6059B and, if you are not from a Visa Waiver Program country, a CBP Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record . Complete all sections of the forms.

Review the CBP Inspection Process before your travel. Listed below are general steps for the inspection process.

• On your U.S. arrival, go to the primary CBP passport control area. The CBP officer will ask to see all of your travel documents and the completed CBP forms. The officer may refer you for a secondary screening.
• Proceed to baggage claim to pick up luggage.
• Go to the CBP customs inspection checkpoint and show your declaration to the CBP officer, who may examine your bags and refer you for a secondary inspection.
• Pay duty, if applicable.

Traveling Overseas Resources

These resources can help navigate traveling overseas. 

• Know Before You Go – Regulations for International Travel
• International Travel Tips – Online resources for common questions about international travel
• Welcome to the United States – A Guide for International Visitors
• Import/Export Forms – Travel documents and forms
• Ports of Entry (Air, Land, Sea) – Locate the ports of entry into the United States
• How Do I - For Travelers

• Member Login
• Sign in to another secure site

Long-Term Assignments

Short-term assignments.

• Individual Travel
• Assistance and Security Services
• Medical Services

Travel protection plans for individual travel

SafeTrip protection plans are created for individuals, families, business travelers, students and more with a single purpose – to give you the protection you need for the trip you want. It is medical coverage, medical and travel assistance as well as medical evacuation and more.

Choose from three plans that deliver a combination of trip protection, health benefits and safety services.

International Travel Medical Plus:  Travel protection for trip cancellations or interruptions plus international travel medical insurance to cover you for emergency medical costs.

International Travel Medical: Covers you for unexpected health care costs due to accident or illness while abroad.

Travel Protection: Protection for trip cancellation, interruption and delays for U.S. domestic travel only

International insurance plans for business travelers on short-term trips.

International insurance plans for expatriates, multinational and third-country nationals.

Member Resources

Explore our health and wellness articles.

United Airlines bag policy: What you can carry on and how much it costs to check luggage

Following the lead of American Airlines , United Airlines has raised the cost of checking bags.

Under the updated United Airlines baggage policy , the cost to check a bag is now $40 for the first bag ($35 if paid online at least 24 hours before the flight) and $50 for the second bag ($45 if prepaid online) for flights within the U.S.

United's checked bag fees were previously $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second.

The cost of checking bags for international travel depends on the destination. For example, it also costs $40 for the first bag and $50 for the second bag for travel to and from Canada and Mexico.

Here's what to know about United Airlines' baggage policy.

How much does United charge for checked bags?

For domestic travel, United Airlines charges $40 for the first checked bag and $50 for the second checked bag. The fees are $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second bag if you pay online at least 24 hours before your flight.

The fees are the same for international destinations in the Americas such as Canada and Mexico, as well as the Caribbean. However, The Arizona Republic found there was no discount to prepay for checked bags for flights to and from Canada when we used United's Bag Fee Calculator to price the cost of checking luggage for Phoenix-Toronto and Phoenix-Calgary itineraries.

Does United Economy include a checked bag?

United Economy fares do not include a checked bag.

Can I bring a carry-on with United Economy?

United's Economy and Economy Plus fares include one free carry-on that can go in the overhead bin plus a personal item. United Basic Economy fares permit one personal item that fits under the seat. Carry-on sized bags must be checked.

Are prepaid baggage fees refundable on United?

Passengers may be able to get refunds for checked luggage if they prepay for more bags than they check, or if their flight is cancelled, according to United.

How can I get a free checked bag on United Airlines?

Certain fare classes and loyalty program tiers include free checked bags on United.

Members of United's MileagePlus rewards program who have MileagePlus Premier status can check at least one bag for free, and the number of free bags depends on their tier. To reach the minimum Premier level, Premier Silver (one free checked bag), passengers must either take 12 qualifying flights and earn 4,000 qualifying points or earn 5,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.

United Explorer Card credit card holders, plus a companion, get one free checked bag when they purchase their plane tickets with that card. The credit card has an introductory annual fee of $0, which increases to $95 annually after the first year.

Active U.S. military members with ID and their dependents can check up to two bags free for personal travel and up to five bags free when traveling on military orders, according to United.

What is United Airlines' baggage allowance?

The baggage weight allowance on United depends on a passenger's fare class and MileagePlus status. For economy and premium economy passengers, checked bags must weigh 50 pounds or less. Fees for overweight bags start at $200.

First class passengers, business class passengers and MileagePlus Premier members can check bags that weigh up to 70 pounds.

Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes and crutches are free to check regardless of size and weight.

How many bags does United Airlines allow for free?

United Airlines passengers may board with one carry-on bag and one personal item for free.

What is the carry-on size restriction for United?

Carry-on bags can measure no more than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high, including handles and wheels.

What is the personal item size restriction for United?

The size limit for personal items, which include purses, small handbags, backpacks and laptop bags, is 17 inches long, 10 inches wide and 9 inches high.

Does United allow a backpack and carry-on?

If you have a carry-on bag, you can also bring a backpack as long as it meets the size limit for a personal item, which is 17 inches long, 10 inches wide and 9 inches high. Passengers may not bring two carry-on size bags.

Is there a weight limit for carry-on bags?

No weight limits for carry-on bags are noted in United's carry-on bag policies. Carry-on bags and personal items within the size limits can fly regardless of weight as long as the carry-on can fit in the overhead bin and the personal item can fit under the seat.

New security technology: Self-service TSA screening is being tested in Las Vegas

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

Travel | Travel Troubleshooter: United Airlines canceled…

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Travel | travel troubleshooter: united airlines canceled my flight, so why can’t i get a refund.

DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: I am writing to request a refund for tickets I had to purchase at the last minute after our international travel had already begun. United canceled part of our international itinerary without notice or remedy.

My wife and I had booked tickets through United.com from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Keflavik International Airport in Iceland, with stops in Houston and Frankfurt, Germany. When we checked in at Albuquerque for our departure, a United representative told us that we couldn’t check in for our flight from Frankfurt to Keflavik because Icelandair was not a United code-share partner airline. But the representative assured us that this was normal, and we would only need to pick up our luggage in Frankfurt and take it to the Icelandair ticket counter.

We flew to Houston, and again, we tried to check on the status of our Icelandair reservation. But Icelandair’s website and mobile app could not find our reservation under our confirmation code. In Houston, Icelandair’s customer service line told us that the tickets were never issued and that the reservation itself had been canceled by the issuing travel agency the day before travel. Since we bought our tickets on United.com, I presume that United itself was the agency.

We found this out while our flight to Frankfurt was boarding. The United gate agent in Houston could not help. She told us that she couldn’t even look up our reservation under its confirmation number since, again, Icelandair was not a partner airline.

We had to repurchase the seats that had allegedly been canceled at a cost of $1,959. It would be appropriate for United to refund that cost to make me whole. Can you help?

— Andy Wilson, Albuquerque, New Mexico

ANSWER: What a nightmare! You booked your airline tickets through United.com, so it’s responsible for getting you to your destination. It doesn’t matter if United has a relationship with Icelandair or not. The buck stops with United.

Normally, you would find out about a problem with your ticket well in advance of your flight. But it looks like United canceled the last leg of your flight just before you left. A last-minute call to Icelandair might have revealed the problem. But if you buy a ticket on United.com, and it sends you a confirmation number, you should be confident that you actually have a reservation for all the travel segments.

I don’t think you had much of a choice about buying a new ticket on Icelandair. You could have gone to the United ticket counter in Frankfurt and explained the problem, but if you had missed your flight, it would have screwed up your entire vacation — car rental, hotel stay, tours, etc. You were cornered and had to purchase a more expensive, last-minute ticket. And you’re absolutely correct: This was something United should pay for.

You contacted United in writing and did an excellent job of keeping a paper trail. In response to your request, the airline offered to refund the unused leg but nothing more, claiming a “desynchronization of your ticket” caused the problem.

“Due to operational changes, we’re unable to guarantee flight times or aircraft types, especially when the flight is operated by another airline,” the representative said. United apologized and deposited 5,000 “goodwill” miles into your account and refunded the canceled leg. That’s a good start, but United needed to step up and cover the cost of your new flight. I contacted the airline on your behalf, and it issued a full refund.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at [email protected] or get help by contacting him at elliottadvocacy.org/help/ . (c) 2024 Christopher Elliott Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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United Airlines Pet Policy (International, Cargo, Carry-on) [2023]

There are a few different United Airlines pet policies depending on how and for what purpose you’re bringing along your animals.

This article will take a detailed look at the pet policy for shipping animals on United.

I’ll cover in-cabin transport (carry-on), PetSafe (cargo), international, service animals, and show you where to go to get all of the forms and documents you’ll need to transport your animals.

Table of Contents

What is the United Airlines pet policy?

United Airlines will allow pets to fly in-cabin but they no longer offer the ability to fly pets in the cargo hold as part of the PetSafe program (except for limited exceptions for the military).

The pet policies require you to follow some very specific rules and guidelines so if you’re thinking about transporting your pets on United you need to pay very close attention to the different rules.

If you need to read more about United’s baggage policies in general you can do that here . 

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

How to avoid United pet fees

One of the easiest ways to avoid pet fees is to use the right credit card. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a good card for general travel expenses and its points can be used to offset airline pet fees since they will often code as travel.

You can also use an incidental credit attached to a travel credit card. For example, the Platinum Card has a $200 incidental credit.

Other cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve have a $300 travel credit that could be used on virtually any type of travel purchase including pet fees.

United in-cabin animals

In the past, United stated that they would allow domesticated cats, dogs, rabbits and household birds (excluding cockatoos) to travel accompanied in the aircraft cabin on most flights within the U.S.

They recently changed their website and now do not list out all of the different animals so it’s not clear to me what pets they allow beyond cats and dogs. For that reason, you may want to call and clarify what animals are allowed.

The fees for an in-cabin pet are $125 each way. Also, there is an additional $125 service charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. or more than 24 hours outside of the U.S.

Booking a ticket for your pet is very easy to do with United.

Whenever you are making a booking, just be sure to select “Travel with a pet” as a traveler. If you already made a booking, you can still go to  My Trips  and add a pet to an existing trip. You cannot add a pet using the United app.

Do everything you can to make this reservation in advance because there are limited slots available for pets on aircraft.

Whenever you arrive at the airport, be sure to check in and get your pet tag. Remember, you’ll need both your own and your pet’s confirmation numbers.

Also remember that your pet is expected to remain in the kennel while in the airport. If you need to take them to a relief area you can check the airport maps feature on the  United app  to see if you can find one.

Kennel rules

Before your bring your pet on-board, make sure that you are towing them in a kennel that complies with the United pet policy rules.

The kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of the customer and remain there at all times and the door needs to be secured as well.

Also, the animal must be able to stand up and turn and around inside the kennel. There may only be one pet per kennel.

There are also specific dimensions required for these pets:

• Hard-sided kennels : 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high (44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm).
• Soft-sided kennels: 18 inches long x 11 inches wide x 11 inches high (46 cm x 28 cm x 28 cm).

United will allow you to bring along soft-sided pet carriers that slightly exceed these dimensions so long as they don’t block the aisle.

While your pet must remain under the seat, some people will purchase an extra seat because it makes it easier to deal with their pet.

For one, it gives the passenger space to put a personal item underneath the difference seat. It also allows them to more easily bend over to check on the animal.

No unaccompanied minors

Pets are not allowed to travel with unaccompanied minors .

Puppies and kittens traveling within the U.S. and Puerto Rico must be at least 2 months (8 weeks) old to be accepted for travel on United. Puppies and kittens traveling internationally must be at least 4 months (16 weeks) of age to be accepted for travel on United.

International travel

Pets are not permitted on flights to, from or through Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand and other locations. Please verify if your destination allows in-cabin pets prior to travel.

Rules for international in-cabin pets vary. To book international in-cabin travel for a pet, contact the  United Customer Contact Center or call 1-800-864-8331 to add a pet to your reservation.

Health declarations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) require all dogs entering the U.S., except those arriving from certain  rabies-free countries , to be immunized against rabies.

Vaccinations must be completed at least 30 days before arrival in the U.S.

Since puppies cannot be vaccinated against rabies before 3 months of age, puppies under 4 months old will not be admitted into the U.S. unless they are arriving from a rabies-free country.

Each dog entering the U.S. must be accompanied by a valid certificate of rabies vaccination, signed by a licensed veterinarian and including the following information:

• Name and address of the dog’s owner
• Identifying information for the dog, including breed, sex, age, color and markings
• Date of vaccination and the name of the vaccine used
• Date when the vaccination expires. If no expiration date is stated, the vaccination must have been completed within 12 months before arrival in the U.S.

Visit the  CDC website  for more information.

Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the U.S; however, some states require vaccination of cats for rabies, so it is a good idea to check with state and local health authorities at your final destination.

Restrictions based on aircraft

You should note that there are some restrictions for specific types of aircraft that you’ll be flying on.

Keep in mind that many routes are served by different types of aircraft so you’ll always need to check and see exactly what type of aircraft you’re flying on.

You can do this be utilizing Google Flights or you can simply check on the United website.

Here are the restrictions:

• In-cabin travel for pets is booked on a space-available basis.
• A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet cannot be seated in the bulkhead or an emergency exit row .
• Two pets per flight are allowed in premium cabins on select aircraft. Pets are not permitted in premium cabins on Boeing 757, 767, 777 or 787 aircraft due to limited storage space under the seat.
• A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet in United Economy on Boeing 757-200 aircraft will need to be seated in a window seat due to limited storage space under aisle and middle seats.
• The number of in-cabin pets allowed varies by United Express partner airline.

United PetSafe (cargo) [no longer available]

2023 Update: United no longer accepts PetSafe reservations.

United recently made changes to its PetSafe program so make sure that you’re up to date on all of the changes.

You can request your PetSafe booking here, but I highly advise that you read all of the details below before making a booking.

Puppies and kittens traveling within the U.S. and Puerto Rico must be at least 8 weeks of age to be accepted for travel on United.

Puppies and kittens weighing less than 2 pounds must be at least 10 weeks of age. International requirements can be complex, so please contact an International Pet and Animal Transport Association (IPATA) shipper for assistance.

Cats and dogs (breeds allowed)

Only cats and dogs are allowed

United will no longer accept reservations for the following brachycephalic (or short- or snub-nosed) dogs and cats and strong-jawed dog breeds:

• Affenpinscher
• American Bully
• American Pit Bull Terrier/Pit Bull
• American Staffordshire Terrier/”Amstaff”
• Belgian Malinois
• Boston Terrier
• Brussels Griffon
• American Bulldog
• English Bulldog
• French Bulldog
• Old English Bulldogges
• Shorty Bulldogs
• Spanish Alano/Spanish Bulldog/Alano Espanol
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• English Toy Spaniel/Prince Charles Spaniel
• Japanese Chin/Japanese Spaniel
• American Mastiff
• Boerboel/South African Mastiff
• Bullmastiff
• Ca de Bou/Mallorquin Mastiff
• Cane Corso/Italian Mastiff
• Dogo Argentino/Argentinian Mastiff
• Dogue de Bordeaux/French Mastiff
• English Mastiff
• Fila Brasileiro/Brazilian Mastiff/Cao de Fila
• Indian Mastiff/Alangu
• Kangal/Turkish Kangal
• Neapolitan Mastiff/Mastino Napoletano
• Pakastani Mastiff/Bully Kutta
• Pyrenean Mastiff
• Presa Canario/Perro de Presa Canario/Dogo Canario/Canary Mastiff
• Spanish Mastiff / Mastin Espanol
• Tibetan Mastiff
• Tosa/Tosa Ken/Tosa Inu/Japanese Mastiff/Japanese Tosa
• Japanese Pug
• Shar-Pei/Chinese Shar-Pei
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier/”Staffys”
• Tibetan Spaniel
• Exotic Shorthair

Temperature restrictions

United’s PetSafe program uses climate-controlled vans and keeps animals in holding areas within a temperature range of 45-85° F but United may decline to transport your pet if the outside temperatures are too extreme.

United will no longer accept reservations to and from the following airports annually between May 1 and Sept. 30 , due to high summer temperatures.

• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Palm Springs (PSP)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• Tucson (TUS)

Reservations

Reservations are accepted between 30 days in advance (maximum) and five (5) days (minimum) prior to travel

United will require you to submit several documents to United PetSafe prior to travel which include:

• Scanned copy of the completed, signed and dated  Customer Acknowledgement Form
• Scanned copy of your pet’s Health Certificate from a licensed veterinarian dated within 10 days of travel (or the timeframe required by the destination country)
• Digital photo of your pet clearly showing their face to verify breed
• Digital photo of your pet’s travel crate to verify compliance with Petsafe’s crate requirements

You can find out more about these documents here .

No India or Australia

Not accept any reservations to and from India and Australia at this time

Connections

United will not accept PetSafe itineraries with more than three flight segments (or two connections).

Also, cats and dogs are required to have a comfort stop if the total length of their journey is more than 24 hours. However, you can purchase a comfort stop if you’re worries about your pet’s health on a long journey.

International routing

United requires international routing to be arranged through an International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) pet shipper only. A list of IPATA members near you can be found at  https://www.ipata.org

Crate guidelines

United will not accept a crate taller than 30″, including the 700 series crates. Also, they do not sell or lend crates at airports. Instead, crates can be purchased at united.com/petmate.

Find out more about the crate guidelines here.

If you need help selecting a good crate watch this .

PetSafe Documents

United requests that you complete two forms.

One is a  Customer Acknowledgment Form and the other is a  Pre-Travel Checklist

I suggest that you print out both forms but for your reference here is the checklist:

Before you book (30 days prior to travel)

• Review new PetSafe acceptance policies
• Confirm your pet is acceptable for travel based upon age, breed, health and international travel restrictions
• Assess the overall health of your pet and if your pet is fit to fly
• Confirm the trip length and temperature is appropriate for your pet
• If you are shipping your pet internationally, engage an IPATA shipper for assistance with travel requirements and to make your booking

Preparing your pet for travel: Crate requirements (at least two weeks prior to travel)

• Review PetSafe Customer Pre-Travel Information Packet
• Obtain an airline-compliant crate that meets all guidelines and requirements
• Ensure crate is the appropriate size for your pet and does not exceed 30 inches in height
• Begin “crate acclimation” process as soon as possible to reduce your pet’s stress during travel

Preparing your pet for travel:

• Documentation and other requirements (5-10 days prior to travel)
• Fully complete and sign the Customer Acknowledgement Form
• Prepare digital copies of two photos to submit to PetSafe (one clearly showing your pet’s face to verify breed, one showing your pet’s travel crate to verify compliance with PetSafe’s crate requirements)
• Obtain the required Health Certificate from a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel (or the time frame required by the destination country)
• Required items include the Customer Acknowledgement Form, a Health Certificate from a licensed veterinarian, the photo of your pet and the photo of your pet’s crate
• Each attachment must be 2 MB or less and total email size cannot exceed 19 MB

Day-of-travel preparations

• Two copies of the signed and completed Customer Acknowledgement Form
• Print two copies of a photo of your pet, clearly showing your pet’s face (image should be no smaller than 3” x 3” and no larger than 4” x 6”)
• Health Certificate completed and signed by a licensed veterinarian
• Any additional required documents for travel / entry to the destination (for international travel, required documents should be confirmed by your IPATA shipper)
• Check unitedcargo.com for the drop-off location and time for your pet
• Prepare approved food and water containers for the inside of the crate
• Ensure that only allowable items are placed in or attached to the crate At the airport on travel day
• Confirm PetSafe drop-off location and time
• Arrive at least 30 minutes in advance of the minimum drop-off time to allow for processing
• Ensure person dropping off your pet has a current, government-issued photo ID to present at check-in

Tip: Check out the free app WalletFlo  so that you can optimize your credit card spend by seeing the best card to use! You can also track credits, annual fees, and get notifications when you’re eligible for the best cards!

United Service animals

United Airlines has several different types of classifications for service animals and they have different regulations depending on the type of service animal.

Trained service animals

Trained service animals are animals that receive specific training to perform life functions for individuals with disabilities, such as:

• Visual impairments
• Mobility limitations.

Trained service animals are accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability.

The service animal should sit in the floor space in front of the customer’s assigned seat but cannot protrude into the aisles. Customers may use an approved in-cabin kennel for smaller animals provided its use meets stowage requirements.

Exit row seating is prohibited.

Note that documentation may be required for an animal traveling to international destinations.

Emotional support animals and psychiatric service animals

Emotional support animals and psychiatric service animals that provide emotional, psychiatric or cognitive support for individuals with disabilities, but may or may not have task-specific training with respect to a disability.

Emotional support and psychiatric service animals are also accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability if  certain information and documentation  are provided in advance of travel.

With prior documentation and clearance a customer may travel with no more than one emotional support animal.

Additional documentation beyond United’s requirements may also be required for an animal traveling to an international destination, Hawaii and other locations.

Customers traveling with an emotional support animal or a psychiatric service animal must provide the  required documentation  at least 48 hours before the customer’s flight by email ( [email protected] ).

Service animals in training

Animal trainers are permitted to bring one service animal that is training to assist disabled passengers onboard free of charge. These service animals must not occupy a seat. Trainers transporting service animals in the ordinary course of business or service animals who are not in training must check these animals.

Therapy animals

Therapy animals, which are pets that have been trained and registered by a therapy organization in order to visit nursing homes, hospitals, schools and other facilities, are not considered to be service animals.

When traveling with a therapy animal, standard pet-related regulations and restrictions will apply.

You can click here to read more about United service animals. 

Customer service number

For questions, please contact the United Customer Contact Center number at 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331).

Is United Airlines safe for pets?

You might be wondering if it’s even safe to transfer your pet on United Airlines.

According to the DOT , United had the most animal deaths of all U.S. airlines in 2017 for the third year in a row on scheduled domestic or international passenger flights.

United had a total 18 deaths of animals in 2017, which amounts to 2.4 animal incidents per 10,000 animals transported in 2017. Delta Air Lines had 1 animal death in 2017 and American Airlines had 2 deaths of animals in 2017.

Since United has the wort track record in recent memory, I’d personally try to avoid transporting my furry friends with them in all honesty. But just in case you can’t avoid it, the odds are still very low that there will be an incident since we’re talking about 2.4 animal incidents per 10,000 transported animals.

Still, even with those odds some advise against transporting your animals in the cargo hold.

The Humane Society of the United States “strongly discourages” having your pet travel by air in the cargo hold of a plane, since the experience can be so stressful.

United Airlines Pet Policy FAQ

The fee is $125 each way for an in cabin pet.

You can use airline credits to avoid the fee with some credit cards such as the Amex Platinum Card. 

No, an unaccompanied minors cannot travel with a pet.

United Airlines doesn’t allow in-cabin pets on flights to, from, or through: Australia Barbados Cuba Guam Federated States of Micronesia Hawaii Hong Kong Iceland Ireland Jamaica Marshall Islands New Zealand Norway Palau Panama Philippines Singapore South Africa Sweden Tahiti Trinidad and Tobago UK

Pets are not allowed in business class or first class on select aircraft including: Boeing 757-200, 767, 777 or 787.

As you can tell, there are a lot of restrictions and regulations for transporting pets on United flights. You should always be sure to check what the most up-to-date rules are since they can change from time to time.

Cover photo by  Lynn Friedman  via Flickr . 

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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International travel medical insurance and travel protection

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Gunmen kill more than 60 in concert attack near Moscow, Islamic State claims responsibility

• Camouflage-clad gunmen opened fire at Crocus City Hall
• More than 60 dead, 145 injured - Russian officials
• Russia says it was 'bloody terrorist attack'
• Islamic State claims responsibility
• US official says its intelligence confirms IS claim

ISLAMIC STATE

SECURITY TIGHTENED

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Reporting by Reuters reporters in Moscow, Tbilisi, London, Cairo and Washington; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Andrew Osborn and Maxim Rodionov in London; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Cynthia Osterman, Rosalba O'Brien and Gerry Doyle

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Thomson Reuters

As Moscow bureau chief, Guy runs coverage of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Before Moscow, Guy ran Brexit coverage as London bureau chief (2012-2022). On the night of Brexit, his team delivered one of Reuters historic wins - reporting news of Brexit first to the world and the financial markets. Guy graduated from the London School of Economics and started his career as an intern at Bloomberg. He has spent over 14 years covering the former Soviet Union. He speaks fluent Russian.

As Russia Chief Political Correspondent, and former Moscow bureau chief, Andrew helps lead coverage of the world's largest country, whose political, economic and social transformation under President Vladimir Putin he has reported on for much of the last two decades, along with its growing confrontation with the West and wars in Georgia and Ukraine. Andrew was part of a Wall Street Journal reporting team short-listed for a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting. He has also reported from Moscow for two British newspapers, The Telegraph and The Independent.

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Taiwan earthquake

March 25 Moscow concert hall attack

By Antoinette Radford and Aditi Sangal , CNN

Putin says Moscow attack was carried out by "radical Islamists." But he also blames Ukraine

From CNN's Mariya Knight in Atlanta, Darya Tarasova and Sugam Pokharel in London

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the brutal attack at a Moscow concert hall on Friday was carried out by “radical Islamists.” 

“We know that the crime was committed by radical Islamists, whose ideology the Islamic world itself has been fighting for centuries,” Putin said.

He also again suggested that Ukraine was to blame for the attack.

“It is also necessary to answer the question why the terrorists tried to go to Ukraine after committing a crime, who was waiting for them there? It is clear that those who support the Kyiv regime do not want to be accomplices of terror and sponsors of terrorism, but there are really a lot of questions,” he said in a meeting via videoconference with government officials, special services and law enforcement agencies on measures taken after the terrorist attack, according to the Kremlin.

“We know by whose hands this atrocity was committed against Russia and its people, and we are interested in who the instigator is,” Putin said.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the massacre and released graphic footage showing the incident – but the Kremlin has alleged, without evidence, that the perpetrators planned to flee to Ukraine. Kyiv has vehemently denied involvement and called the Kremlin’s claims “absurd.”

Putin on Saturday also claimed that a “window” had been prepared for the attackers to escape to Ukraine. He did not provide evidence.

The post has been updated with more details from Putin's remarks.

Death toll in Moscow concert hall attack rises to 139, Russian official says

From CNN’s Dasha Tarasova in London

Two more people have been confirmed dead following a brutal attack at a Moscow concert hall on Friday, taking the death toll to at least 139 killed, a senior Russian official said on Monday.

“Initial results of the investigation indicate that the attack was carefully planned and prepared,” Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, said in a live TV broadcast.

Here's the numbers he provided:

• Deaths: 139 people killed. 137 died on the spot, two died in hospitals.
• Identified: 75 of 139 people have been identified, including three children.
• Cause of death: 40 people died from gunshot wounds, two people died from a combination of gunshot and stab wounds. As a result of the fire, 45 people died from exposure to high temperature and combustion products.

US says that it warned Russia in early March of possible terror attack despite ambassador's denial

From CNN’s Michael Conte 

The US State Department said Monday that the United States had warned Russia in early March about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow “potentially targeting large gatherings, including concerts."

Spokesperson Matthew Miller was responding to a denial by the Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov that Moscow received any warning.

“We gave them that private warning consistent with our duty to warn ... when we see or when we gather intelligence of terrorist attacks or potential terrorist attacks,” Miller said at a press briefing. 

He noted the United States on March 7 warned US citizens to avoid large gatherings in Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had described the security warning as “provocative” and “outright blackmail” before the attack.

“It was because of that warning that we passed on to the Russian government that we issued a security warning on March 7, where we again said to US citizens that we had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow… potentially targeting large gatherings including concerts,” Miller added. 

Here's what you need to know about the Moscow concert hall attack that killed 137 people

From CNN staff

All four suspects in the Crocus City concert hall attack case have been remanded into pre-trial detention until May 22. They are charged with committing a terrorist act, according to the courts of general jurisdiction of the city of Moscow, which under the Russian Criminal Code is punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Three of the defendants pled guilty to all charges, according to state media news agency TASS.

All four are from Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic, and had been in Russia on either temporary or expired visas.

On Monday afternoon, authorities said they had identified an additional three people who they believed were involved in the attack — two brothers and a father.

Friday's attack killed at least 137 people. The attack is Russia's deadliest in two decades .

Catch up on the latest developments:

• Day of mourning: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Sunday a day of national mourning for the 137 victims in Friday's attack .
• Authorities work to identify victims: Procedures to identify those killed in the attack have begun, the city’s Department of Health said, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. The Russian Investigative Committee said 62 bodies had been identified so far, adding that "for the remaining victims, genetic examinations are being carried out to establish their identities."
• Fighting terrorism in Syria and Turkey: Putin held separate calls with his Turkish and Syrian counterparts, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Bashar al-Assad, on Saturday and promised closer cooperation in fighting terrorism following the attack, according to a Kremlin readout.
• Russian Embassy says no warnings from US: The Russian Embassy in Washington says it did not receive any warnings about a potential attack in Moscow from the US. Last week, Putin dismissed warnings by the US embassy in Russia that there could be attacks on large groups.
• Putin links attack to Ukraine: Putin said the main suspects arrested planned to flee into Ukraine. Ukraine has denied any connection. The UK warned that Russia was creating a "smokescreen of propaganda."
• Terror alert: France has lifted its terror alert to its highest level following the deadly attack in Moscow, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said Sunday.

Russian social media channels show apparent torture of Crocus City suspects

From CNN’s Nathan Hodge

Video footage and still images have appeared on Russian social media that appear to show the violent interrogation of several of the men alleged to have taken part in the deadly terror attack on a concert hall outside Moscow Friday. 

One video appears to show one of the suspects, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, being held on the ground while having part of his ear cut off by a camouflage-wearing interrogator. Rachabalizoda later appeared in court with a heavily bandaged ear. 

The Grey Zone, a pro-Kremlin Telegram channel, published a still photograph that claims to show the electrocution of one of the detained suspects.

Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Russian state propaganda network RT, posted a video that appears to show the interrogation of another suspect, Shamsidin Fariduni, who is shown stammering and shaking as he is questioned by interrogators off camera. Fariduni subsequently appeared in court with a bruised face. 

CNN asked the Kremlin about the “visible signs of violence” committed against the suspects, but spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment.  

Russian Investigative Committee asks court to detain three more in connection with concert hall attack

From CNN's Tim Lister and Darya Tarasova

The Russian Investigative Committee says it has established that more people were involved in Friday's Crocus City terror attack beyond the four men alleged to have carried out the attack.

“According to the investigation, in order to commit a terrorist act, Shamsidin Fariduni recruited Aminchon Islomov into the organized group no later than January 2024, and Dilovar Islomov no later than March 11, 2024,” the Investigative Committee said on Telegram. 

The three individuals are two brothers and their father, Russian state media agency TASS said. Investigators are asking the Basmanny Court of Moscow to choose a preventive measure for the three defendants, the court told TASS.

“Three more materials were received regarding the accused Islomov Aminchon Isroilovich, Islomov Dilovar Isroilovich, as well as the suspect Islomov IsroilIbragimovich,” the court said, according to TASS. Fariduni was one of those detained in Bryansk Saturday. Both Aminchon and Dilovar Islomov appeared in Basmanny court in Moscow Monday. State news agency TASS said that Dilovar Islomov is a citizen of the Russian Federation and works as a taxi driver, citing court documents.

Russian state news agency RIA said Dilovar Islomov “owned the Renault car in which the terrorists fled the crime scene, sold it in February, and the compulsory motor liability insurance remained on him,” citing a source familiar with the situation.

Here's what to know about ISIS-K, the group linked to the Moscow concert hall terror attack

From CNN's Jessie Yeung

ISIS, also known as the Islamic State group, claimed responsibility for  Friday’s deadly assault  on a concert venue in Moscow, releasing graphic footage purporting to show its gunmen carrying out what was Russia’s worst terror attack in decades.

Here's what we know about the group:

When was it formed?: ISIS-K was formed in 2015 and has been active in  Afghanistan , Pakistan and Iran. It is a branch of ISIS, the terror group that emerged in Syria and Iraq and, at its peak, controlled a huge stretch of territory. Five years since the  fall of ISIS’ self-proclaimed caliphate  across Iraq and Syria, the group has morphed into a terror network with cells spread around the world, including in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

How is it linked to ISIS? The connection between the groups is not entirely clear. The affiliates share an ideology and tactics, but the depth of their relationship – such as the chain of command and control – has never been fully established.

What is its ideology?: Like its parent organization, ISIS-K aims to create a “pure Islamic state,” according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) – describing the group’s vision of a “global, transnational caliphate” governed by Sharia law.

Why attack Russia?: ISIS has a longstanding animosity against Russia and Putin, several experts told CNN. “Russia has been at the top or near the top of the list of ISIS for many years,” said Daniel Byman, director of Georgetown University’s security studies program.

Read more about  ISIS-K here.

Russians return to site of Moscow terror attack to offer condolences

From CNN's Matthew Chance and Katharina Krebs in Moscow

Four days after Friday's Moscow terror attack, some 200 people gathered at the site of the attack Monday morning, offering condolences to the victims, a CNN team in Moscow reports.

While the crowd was much smaller than the numbers who were at the Crocus City hall on Sunday, a steady flow of people were bringing flowers and stuffed toys to the scene, according to the CNN team. Candles were also laid next to the memorial.

A Russian Red Cross tent is set up at the location to provide psychological help. The CNN team said volunteers are helping people with directions on where to pick up belongings or cars left on Friday. The main entrance of the Crocus hall remains barricaded off, with police buses and emergency vehicles clearing rubble. Search operations are still ongoing.

The victims: Moscow's Department of Health published an updated list of those still hospitalized in the capital's medical institutions after the attack, consisting of 76 names.

At least 137 people died in the attack after gunmen opened fire on people inside the hall, and set fire to the building. Of them, at least three were children. President Vladimir Putin declared Sunday a day of national mourning, vowing to punish the perpetrators and expressing condolences to those who had lost loved ones.

Tajikistan reiterates readiness to cooperate with Russia against terrorism after Moscow concert attack 

From CNN's Anna Chernova

Following the identification of the four men charged with carrying out the attack in Moscow on Friday as Tajik nationals, Tajikistan has reiterated its readiness to fight terrorism together with Russia.

The Russian state news agency TASS published video Monday showing Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda writing a note in the book of condolences at the Russian embassy in Dushanbe.

State-run RIA Novosti reported on its Telegram channel that Tajikistan is providing assistance to the Russian investigation “in the case of the terrorist attack in Crocus,” citing a source in Tajikistan’s special services. It reported that a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry had confirmed that “Tajikistan specialists are providing assistance to investigators from Russia in connection with the arrest of citizens of the republic in the case of a terrorist attack.”

On Sunday, the Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had spoken with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon, who had expressed “deep condolences and feelings of solidarity with the Russian people in connection with the death of civilians as a result of the vile terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall."

“During the conversation, Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rahmon noted that special services and relevant departments of Russia and Tajikistan are working closely in the field of countering terrorism, and this work will be intensified,” the Kremlin said. 

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Putin dismissed US warnings about a potential terror incident as 'blackmail' just 3 days before concert hall attack

• Shooters attacked a Moscow concert hall on Friday, killing at least 60 and injuring more than 100.
• Earlier this month, the US embassy issued a security alert warning of a potential terror attack.
• Just days ago, Vladimir Putin dismissed the idea as "blackmail" from the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed US warnings about a potential terror incident in Moscow just days before shooters attacked a concert hall in the city on Friday.

At least 60 people are dead and more than 100 are injured after multiple armed individuals stormed the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, an investigative committee reported . The state-run news agency TASS reported 40 deaths earlier in the day, citing Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, which called the incident a "terrorist attack."

Graphic videos posted to social media purport to show the attack unfolding. In some of the footage, gunshots and concertgoers' screams can be heard.

According to Russian state media , the unidentified attackers were armed with assault rifles and opened fire in the lobby of the building before moving into the main concern hall, where a band was scheduled to perform. It added that an explosion inside the venue sparked the fire, which engulfed at least a third of the building and spread to the roof .

Earlier this month, the US embassy in Russia issued a security alert warning that "extremists have imminent plans" for a terror attack in Moscow and urged people to avoid crowds, monitor local media for updates, and be aware of their surroundings.

"The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours," the March 7 security alert said.

Putin addressed the warnings a couple of weeks later, criticizing the warning as "provocative."

Related stories

TASS reported that Putin said on March 19 the aim of "the recent provocative statements of a number of official Western structures about the possibility of terrorist attacks in Russia" was harming Russian society .

"All this resembles outright blackmail and the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society," Putin said, state media covering his remarks reported.

The US embassy issued another alert on Friday saying it was "aware" of the attack and urged Americans to avoid the area.

"We strongly condemn the horrendous attack carried out at a concert hall in Moscow," Russia's foreign ministry said in an official statement. "We express our deepest sympathies with the families of the victims."

Shortly after Friday's attack, ISIS claimed responsibility, according to a post on Telegram from a news agency affiliated with the terrorist group. US officials later confirmed that a branch of ISIS, Islamic State-Khorasan, or ISIS-K, was responsible and had been planning an attack.

The group has been known to operate in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran and was suspected to be active inside Russia, two US officials told The Washington Post, which reported that the embassy alert was based, at least in part, on intelligence about ISIS-K activity in Russia.

A White House official shared more information Friday evening in a statement reported by multiple outlets.

"Earlier this month, the US government had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow — potentially targeting large gatherings, to include concerts — which prompted the State Department to issue a public advisory to Americans in Russia," Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said.

"The U.S. government also shared this information with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding 'duty to warn' policy," Watson said, referring to the US policy in the intelligence community to notify potential victims, regardless of whether they are US citizens, of certain credible impending threats.

Watch: VIDEO: How Russian media manufactured an alternate reality about the war in Ukraine

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Planning a trip to Moscow? Our travel guide contains up-to-date, personal information on everything from what to see , to when to visit , where to stay , and what to eat !

• General Information
• What to see
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• Where to stay
• Where to eat

Why visit Moscow?

Majestic churches, impressive historic fortresses, and palatial buildings: Moscow is a fascinating city whose emblematic architecture reflects the turbulent history that has defined Russia throughout the centuries.

The traces of the USSR can be found around every corner of the city , side by side with the iconic relics of Imperial Russia , like the mythical Red Square , the imposing Kremlin , and the beautiful  St Basil's Cathedral . 

Discover a fascinating world of Cold War bunkers, golden-domed basilicas, world-class art museums, and the legendary "palace of the people,"  as the Moscow Metro has been nicknamed. Whether you fancy watching a classical Russian ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre , perusing the fine arts at the Pushkin Museum , or marveling at the sheer size of the monuments to the Soviet state's achievements at the  All-Russia Exhibition Centre , this travel guide will help you on your way!

Where to start?

If you're going to travel to Moscow and you don't know much about the city yet, the first thing to do is to dive into its legendary history - understanding the past will help you understand the present. Next, check out our practical hints and tips on traveling to the city before discovering which of its most important museums , monuments , and attractions pique your interest.

Looking for a place to stay?

Booking your accommodation in advance is the best way to get great discounts. Our detailed guide on where to stay in Moscow  will help you decide which neighborhood you'd like to look for hotels or apartments in, and our hotel search engine will find you the best deals!

Why is our Moscow travel guide the best?

Introducing Moscow is a  city guide written by travelers for travelers  and contains personalized advice to help you make the most of your trip to the city.

All the information in this guide is valid as of December 2022. If you find any errors or have any comments, please feel free to contact us .

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