What's the latest you can check in for a flight?
Jun 25, 2024 | 6:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 128
What's the latest you can check in for a flight?
I understand you are supposed to check in for your fight online 24 hours ahead of time. But what's the latest you can check in for a flight and not lose your seat? Do you have to do online checkin, or is check in at airport still allowed with United? (Believe it or not, I know someone who still doesn't have a smartphone and refuses to get one LOL) thanks
Jun 25, 2024 | 7:11 am
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
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It depends on type of flight (domestic or international), whether the traveler has a checked bag, and which airport they would be flying out of.
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/tra...t-process.html
And yes, they can still check-in in person at the airport, via a kiosk or wait in line.
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/tra...t-process.html
And yes, they can still check-in in person at the airport, via a kiosk or wait in line.
Jun 25, 2024 | 7:41 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 128
It depends on type of flight (domestic or international), whether the traveler has a checked bag, and which airport they would be flying out of.
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/tra...t-process.html
And yes, they can still check-in in person at the airport, via a kiosk or wait in line.
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/tra...t-process.html
And yes, they can still check-in in person at the airport, via a kiosk or wait in line.
Jun 25, 2024 | 8:15 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Jun 25, 2024 | 8:37 am
#6
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
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Although I frequently due this, either out of habit or because UA sends a reminder text at about T-23:45, in most situations there's no real advantage to doing so.
Jun 25, 2024 | 8:48 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 6,254
I understand you are supposed to check in for your fight online 24 hours ahead of time. But what's the latest you can check in for a flight and not lose your seat? Do you have to do online checkin, or is check in at airport still allowed with United? (Believe it or not, I know someone who still doesn't have a smartphone and refuses to get one LOL) thanks
you must checking 30 minutes before scheduled flight time domestic , 60 minutes international.
bags have nothing to do with checkin but have their own deadlines for flights , which can be station dependent.
Jun 25, 2024 | 9:39 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 1,306
I think this is incorrect as I have been burned on this before. I was flying LNK-ORD-PEK. LNK is very small and I lived very close. I showed up 45m before the LNK-ORD and could not check-in. The agent had to manually override explaining to me it was because of the international segment.
Jun 25, 2024 | 9:51 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 910
I think this is incorrect as I have been burned on this before. I was flying LNK-ORD-PEK. LNK is very small and I lived very close. I showed up 45m before the LNK-ORD and could not check-in. The agent had to manually override explaining to me it was because of the international segment.
Jun 25, 2024 | 10:06 am
#10
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I think this is incorrect as I have been burned on this before. I was flying LNK-ORD-PEK. LNK is very small and I lived very close. I showed up 45m before the LNK-ORD and could not check-in. The agent had to manually override explaining to me it was because of the international segment.
you are correct, the extra time is in theory for document check and international documents need to be checked at the airport of your first flight now because there is more time to send your information you can get an over ride in many cases, if you just need a passport and it is a us passport assuming no expiration date issue it can be done at the kiosk
Jun 25, 2024 | 10:40 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,252
Jun 25, 2024 | 10:49 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,096
Sometimes it still gives the print pdf option when you do checkin on the website. I got it earlier this month. I have no idea why it is sometimes offered and sometimes not, though.
Jun 25, 2024 | 12:07 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,594
Anyway, one can still check in via computer and get BP at kiosk, which in theory might allow one to check in even later (though with 30 mins you're not likely to make it to any airport, through security, and to boarding).
Jun 25, 2024 | 1:37 pm
#14
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Jun 25, 2024 | 1:52 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA: 1K. Hilton: Diamond. Marriot: Gold. AA: Gold
Posts: 54
you are correct, the extra time is in theory for document check and international documents need to be checked at the airport of your first flight now because there is more time to send your information you can get an over ride in many cases, if you just need a passport and it is a us passport assuming no expiration date issue it can be done at the kiosk