topic Re: Chase United Explorer question in Credit Cards

Chase United Explorer question

wasCB14 — Fri, 05 May 2023 03:18:13 GMT

Flying domestic basic economy. Tickets purchased with Chase United Explorer Visa. No status.

Am I correct in my understanding that both my companion (same reservation) and I can bring a full-size carry-on?

That is, the card removes the "no full-size carry-on" restriction that would otherwise apply to basic economy?

Re: Chase United Explorer question

coldfusion — Fri, 05 May 2023 11:32:03 GMT

I believe the Chase/United cardholder exception only applies to the primary cardholder. Companion exemptions are tied to either intercontinental travel or travel on the same reservation as someone with UA status, status with a partner airline doesn't count.

Re: Chase United Explorer question

Mones — Fri, 05 May 2023 11:35:11 GMT

I am eying the United Explorer Card for a similar reason but I'm under the impression that it only gives free checked bag for the flight (card holder and companion when paid for the the card and the ticket is on the same reservation). I don't believe it changes carry on status.

Re: Chase United Explorer question

imaximous — Fri, 05 May 2023 13:36:24 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
Flying domestic basic economy. Tickets purchased with Chase United Explorer Visa. No status.

Am I correct in my understanding that both my companion (same reservation) and I can bring a full-size carry-on?

That is, the card removes the "no full-size carry-on" restriction that would otherwise apply to basic economy?

Yes. If you're a cardholder, you and your companions get a free carry-on as long as you buy the tickets under the same reservation with the card. Unlike other airlines where the benefit is tied to your FF#, United makes you buy the tickets on the co-branded cards to receive the benefits.

ETA: you do have to pay to select seats.

Re: Chase United Explorer question

coldfusion — Fri, 05 May 2023 14:11:10 GMT

@coldfusion wrote:
I believe the Chase/United cardholder exception only applies to the primary cardholder. Companion exemptions are tied to either intercontinental travel or travel on the same reservation as someone with UA status, status with a partner airline doesn't count.

I looked up the United baggage FAQ at https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/help/faq/baggage.html which pretty much confirms my comments above. it calls out that companions are allowed a carryon for TATL, transpac, and South American destinations and ends up with the following:

Re: Chase United Explorer question

imaximous — Fri, 05 May 2023 14:43:02 GMT

@coldfusion wrote:
@coldfusion wrote:
I believe the Chase/United cardholder exception only applies to the primary cardholder. Companion exemptions are tied to either intercontinental travel or travel on the same reservation as someone with UA status, status with a partner airline doesn't count.

I looked up the United baggage FAQ at https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/help/faq/baggage.html which pretty much confirms my comments above. it calls out that companions are allowed a carryon for TATL, transpac, and South American destinations and ends up with the following:

That disclaimer doesn't mention restrictions for companions.

When I had status till 2022, they allowed carry-ons for my companions on domestic flights. (This doesn't apply to OP.)

Now that I don't have status and only hold the United Club card, they still allowed carry-ons for my companions the last 4 flights.

Is it possible that the agents didn't care and just let us go without paying? Maybe. But it was 4 times this year, different agents and airports.

Worst case scenario, which I doubt will come to that, OP could check the bag for free courtesy of the card to avoid any fees.

Re: Chase United Explorer question

ptatohed — Fri, 05 May 2023 15:11:47 GMT

I'm certainly not one to ask any questions to regarding A. Travel cards and B. Annual fee cards, lol, but I don't see anything on here or online that directly addresses the OP's question about full-size carry-ons. I'm not even sure what that means actually, lol.

Re: Chase United Explorer question

coldfusion — Fri, 05 May 2023 16:59:38 GMT

@imaximous wrote:
@coldfusion wrote:
@coldfusion wrote:
I believe the Chase/United cardholder exception only applies to the primary cardholder. Companion exemptions are tied to either intercontinental travel or travel on the same reservation as someone with UA status, status with a partner airline doesn't count.

I looked up the United baggage FAQ at https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/help/faq/baggage.html which pretty much confirms my comments above. it calls out that companions are allowed a carryon for TATL, transpac, and South American destinations and ends up with the following:

That disclaimer doesn't mention restrictions for companions.

When I had status till 2022, they allowed carry-ons for my companions on domestic flights. (This doesn't apply to OP.)

Now that I don't have status and only hold the United Club card, they still allowed carry-ons for my companions the last 4 flights.

Is it possible that the agents didn't care and just let us go without paying? Maybe. But it was 4 times this year, different agents and airports.

Worst case scenario, which I doubt will come to that, OP could check the bag for free courtesy of the card to avoid any fees.

What fare class were you booking your flights under?

Re: Chase United Explorer question

coldfusion — Fri, 05 May 2023 17:02:31 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
I'm certainly not one to ask any questions to regarding A. Travel cards and B. Annual fee cards, lol, but I don't see anything on here or online that directly addresses the OP's question about full-size carry-ons. I'm not even sure what that means actually, lol.

It's spelled out in message #5 above, but a loose definition of a full-size carryon would be a carryon that is too large to fit under the seat in front of you.

Re: Chase United Explorer question

imaximous — Fri, 05 May 2023 17:33:46 GMT

@coldfusion wrote:
What fare class were you booking your flights under?

Basic Economy (N)

The card still gets us early boarding and checked bags, so I just pay a few bucks to select seats with travel credits from other credit cards. Everything else is pretty much the same as regular Economy and I save about $80 per ticket.

Re: Chase United Explorer question

wasCB14 — Fri, 05 May 2023 20:27:48 GMT

Delayed three hours so far. We both checked bags but I didn't end up needing a carry-on so if it becomes an issue I can just declare it as my carry on and not my companion's. We'll test it as the companion bag and see what happens. Given seats together at check-in.

At an Aspire lounge (Amex Plat and Priority Pass access) and for a CC geek it's amazing to me how many people are trying to get in with Delta Amex cards (it's quiet and hard to not hear). Not just Delta Reserve for which one might expect it but even Delta Blue cards. But almost everyone is paying rather than walking. And almost no one is using Priority Pass.

Update: Boarded without issues.