Checking a bag with United? Use the new 'bag drop shortcut' to save time

United Airlines has a new way to streamline the travel experience for those checking bags.

The Chicago-based carrier is in the midst of rolling out new "Bag Drop Shortcut" check-in lanes, which are designed to be used exclusively by those who've already checked in on the mobile app and pre-paid for their bags.

If you've already added the bags during mobile check-in, you can approach the "Bag Drop Shortcut" lane and place your bag directly on the scale. You'll then scan your boarding pass and a check-in agent will then check your ID and apply your bag tag.

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If you're eligible for Premier Access, your bags will even receive the appropriate orange priority label. This area can also support overweight and oversized bags, such as golf clubs or skis.

You won't need to press any buttons on a kiosk, nor present your credit card. Within minutes, you'll be on your way and your checked bag will begin its journey to the plane's belly.

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(Photo courtesy of United)

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United first piloted these new check-in lanes in its Newark (EWR) hub in August 2021, and it doubled the size of the "Bag Drop Shortcut" there just weeks later. Now, you'll find the dedicated lanes at the west end of Level 3 in Terminal C.

The airline has since opened these counters at its six other domestic hubs, and it's now planning to expand the service to many outstations later this year, with more details about the rollout plan coming in the next few weeks.

During the pilot phase, United said that the new counters have "significantly increased the airline’s customer satisfaction scores." It appears that the response has indeed been overwhelmingly positive, with one commenter on the FlyerTalk forum mentioning that "I have used it a few times and it’s incredibly fast."

Of course, United touting the "Bag Drop Shortcut" as an innovation is up for debate.

If it indeed saves time, then it's worth using on future trips when you're checking bags.

Plus, it's possible that it could also free up agent availability at full-service counters and kiosks, which will still remain available for those who need more help during check in.

However, it's not necessarily as cutting edge as the self-bag drops that have been popping up at airports nationwide with United's competitors.

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(Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)

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In fact, Delta late last year unveiled a new check-in lobby in Atlanta (ATL) and Detroit (DTW) that's exclusively open to some TSA Precheck passengers who opt in to the program.

With a quick look at a screen, passengers can be verified using facial recognition and automatically have a kiosk print out a tag for them to add to the suitcase before putting it on the belt — without the need for any manual agent intervention or ID checks.