Chase United Explorer question

[wasCB14]

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?

[coldfusion]

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.

[Mones]

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.

[imaximous]

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@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?

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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.

[coldfusion]

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@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.

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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:

[imaximous]

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@coldfusion wrote:

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@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.

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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:

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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.

[ptatohed]

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.  

[coldfusion]

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@imaximous wrote:

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@coldfusion wrote:

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@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.

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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:

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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.

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What fare class were you booking your flights under? 

[coldfusion]

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@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.  

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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.

[imaximous]

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@coldfusion wrote:

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What fare class were you booking your flights under? 

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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.