Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, TAP or United?

TAP: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), up to 8 kg (17.6 lb). United: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). United allows the larger bag.

Where do TAP and United fly from?

TAP's main hubs are LIS, OPO. United's are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are TAP and United partners?

Yes. Both belong to Star Alliance, so you can usually earn miles and use elite benefits across the two.

TP vs UA · 2026 comparison

TAP vs United

Q: Do TAP and United include a carry-on on basic economy?

TAP: Discount fares include the carry-on and a personal item but no checked bag. United: Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

TAP wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

TAP

Wins 1 category

A carry-on on its cheapest fare

United

Wins 3 categories

A bigger carry-on
A more generous carry-on weight limit
A bigger personal item

Quick verdict

TAP wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: TAP: 55 × 40 × 20 cm · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: TAP: Included on every fare · United: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	TAP	United
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 20 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	8 kg (17.6 lb)	None published
Personal item	40 × 30 × 15 cm	17 × 10 × 9 in
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	TAP Miles&Go	MileagePlus
Main hubs	LIS, OPO	ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

TAP allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), and United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so United's is roomier.

TAP includes it on every fare, while United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.

TAP caps carry-ons at 8 kg (17.6 lb); United publishes no limit.

Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on TAP, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

Basic economy

TAP (Discount): Discount fares include the carry-on and a personal item but no checked bag.

United (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

Loyalty and where they fly

Both are Star Alliance members, so status and miles can work across the two.

Loyalty programs: TAP Miles&Go (TAP) and MileagePlus (United).

TAP's main hubs are LIS, OPO. United's are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose TAP if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from LIS, OPO

Choose United if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a more generous carry-on weight limit
a bigger personal item
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ORD, DEN, IAH

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.

TAP vs United FAQ

It depends on what matters most to you. TAP wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a bigger carry-on, a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. If they fly the same route, compare the total price with bags included.

Keep comparing

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

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