United Airlines Media Baggage
Media rateEligible media workers pay a flat fee for each equipment bag. Oversized bags are included, but that does not mean unlimited size. Guitars and drums need separate approval.
The quick answer
- What do I pay per bag?
- $50 per bag in North America$70 everywhere else
- How heavy can each bag be?
- Up to 99.9 lbs per bag, including the case
- How big can each bag be?
- Oversize is included. No numerical media maximum is published here—have United approve very large cases.
- Who qualifies?
- Media company representatives with credentials
- What do I show or send?
- Show media credentials at the airport ticket counter and pay there
Prices are per bag, one way. Weight includes the case. Total inches = length + width + height added together.
All the details
- Within North America
- $50 per bag, each way
- Outside North America
- $70 per bag, each way
- Weight / size
- Up to 99.9 lbs, oversized included
How it works
- You must be a media company representative and show media credentials.
- Pay at the airport ticket counter — not online.
- Without approved credentials you pay standard bag fees.
- The rate is for media personnel only, not travel companions.
- Ticket must be issued by United (number starts 016), with every flight marketed and operated by United or United Express.
Where the airline says this
Official airline pages and quoted wording to show at check-in. Look for the section named in each link. Highlighting depends on your browser; PDFs may need a search. Reviewed October 28, 2026; any unverified allowance is labeled above.
- United — Checked media bags (price table) ↗
"Within North America"
- United — Pay at the ticket counter ↗
"go to the airport ticket counter"
- United — Credentials required ↗
"Show media credentials"
- United for Business — 016 ticket requirement ↗
"tickets must be issued by United on 016 ticket stock"
Guitars & musical instruments
Agent says it can't go onboard? Open these on your phone and show them:
The airline's page says: “Should weigh less than 165 pounds”
United’s camera/lighting/film/sound media deal does not establish an instrument discount. Get United’s approval before applying it to guitars or drums.
- Can my guitar come onboard?
- Yes, if the guitar in its case fits safely in approved cabin storage and space is available when you board. The U.S. instrument rule allows this even if it exceeds normal suitcase dimensions.
- What does it replace?
- Your carry-on bag—not an extra free overhead suitcase. A small personal item must still meet the airline’s rules.
- What do I pay in the cabin?
- Nothing extra if your ticket includes a carry-on bag. The guitar counts as that bag. Basic Economy may not include one, so check your ticket.
- Can I buy my instrument a seat?
- Yes. Call United. The instrument must weigh less than 165 lb, be secured beside you and be approved by an agent. The seat price can differ from your own ticket.
- What do I pay to check it?
- Instrument-specific checked fees could not be freshly verified. Give United the packed case weight and dimensions and request a written price.
- How heavy and big can a checked case be?
- Instrument-specific checked maximums were not freshly verified. Do not use the 99.9 lb media limit as a guitar or drum allowance.
Weight and size include the case. Cabin space must be available when you board. Use a protective case suitable for checking if the cabin is full.
U.S. law protects your guitar. On U.S. flights, airlines must let a guitar in its case ride in the cabin if it fits safely in the overhead bin or under the seat and there is room when you board. Show this page — the rule itself (14 CFR 251.3) — if an agent says no: Read the rule ↗
Official instrument rules
- U.S. rule — 14 CFR 251.3: small instruments ↗
“There is space for such stowage at the time the passenger boards the aircraft.”
- United — Cabin-seat baggage: instruments and approval ↗
“Should weigh less than 165 pounds”
- United — Current musical instrument policy ↗
Detailed instrument text could not be retrieved during this review; open United’s policy or obtain written approval.
Original 2024 article (historical)
United Airlines
Media Rate: Conditions & Pricing
United Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines, serving millions of passengers each year who travel within the United States or abroad. The company has a good reputation for handling baggage, especially media equipment, so you can be sure of a safe and easy trip.
If you work in the media and you're thinking about flying with United Airlines, you might have some questions, such as:
- Does the airline have a media rate?
- What do you need to know if you want to bring media equipment with you?
- Do you need to show a media ID?
We've put together a quick guide to help you out. It covers United Airlines media rates and gives you some tips for saving money when you bring your media equipment on the plane.
United Airlines Media Rates
If you plan to travel on United Airlines with media equipment, it's important to understand the airline's policies on baggage fees and size restrictions.
- Carry-On Allowance
United Airlines allows one personal item and one carry-on bag at no charge. The carry-on bag must not exceed 45 linear inches in combined dimensions. This means that the sum of the length, width, and height of the bag must not exceed 45 inches. Passengers can choose to pay for additional carry-on bags, with fees varying depending on the route and time of purchase.
- Checked Baggage Allowance
United Airlines allows up to two checked bags per passenger, with a maximum weight of 50 pounds and maximum dimensions of 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Additional checked bags are subject to a fee of $150 each. However, for media equipment, additional baggage fees are lower.
- Media Rates
United Airlines has its own media rate program that helps to get discounted rates for carrying media equipment, including cameras, audio, and video gear, as well as other materials necessary for the work of media personnel.
Passengers transporting media equipment as checked baggage need to pay an additional baggage fee of $50 per piece, and oversize/overweight fees do not apply. This means that media equipment can exceed the size and weight limits without incurring additional fees.
Other than that, the United Airlines media rate program includes other factors:
- Travel within North America: This includes trips within the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. For this, the fee for checked bags is $50 per bag. Plus, you can bring oversized bags weighing up to 99.9 lbs.
- Travel outside North America: For trips outside of North America, the fee for checked bags is $70 per bag. But, you can still bring oversized bags weighing up to 99.9 lbs.
It's important to note that media equipment must be labeled as such and be in proper packaging to qualify for the media rate.
To travel with media equipment on United Airlines, you need to have a valid media ID as proof of your affiliation with a media organization. It will also be beneficial if you have any other documents confirming the fact that you are traveling for work-related purposes, such as covering an event or conducting an interview.
- Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fees
For checked baggage that exceeds the weight or size limits, additional fees will apply. Overweight baggage between 51-70 pounds will cost $100 per piece, while overweight baggage between 71-100 pounds will cost $200 per piece. Oversized baggage with dimensions between 63-115 inches will also cost $200 per piece.
To get more information, you can also check out United Airlines media rates on the official site.
Pros and Cons of Traveling with Media Bags on United Airlines
United Airlines understands the needs of media professionals when it comes to traveling, and they want to make things easier and more convenient for them. That's why they offer a bunch of benefits, such as lower baggage fees, priority handling, and liability for any damage to your equipment.
Advantages:
- Media bags are often labeled with "media" tags, which ensure priority handling, so they are among the first bags to be unloaded from the plane.
- United Airlines allows media professionals to transport more bags than regular passengers, which is helpful when traveling with a lot of equipment.
- The company assumes limited liability for damage or loss of media equipment during the flight, which provides a sense of security and assurance for media professionals.
Disadvantages:
- Media rates are non-refundable, and changes or cancellations may incur additional fees.
- To be eligible for the media rate program, you need to provide United Airlines with a valid media credential, such as a press card, letter from an editor, or a similar document.