With checked baggage fees increasing this year, as an overpacker and frequent flier, I decided it was time to try something different. Instead of checking my bags on my flight, I shipped them to my destination.
I tried a few different companies over different trips, and was so impressed by the ease and affordability, I now can’t imagine traveling any other way. It’s been a lifesaver with not only oversized items like my husband’s golf clubs or my grandkids’ baby gear, but also for all the clothes I want to bring without paying a fortune in extra fees.
The prices were comparable to the baggage fees I would have incurred for checking so many bags, and the convenience of breezing through the airport to find my bags waiting upon arrival at my accommodations was worth everything.
Here’s how it works, and why you should consider shipping a bag (or three) on your next trip.
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Luggage Shipping Options
Many companies will ship your luggage for you, outside of the USPS, FedEx, and UPS. So when my family booked a summer rental for a couple of weeks this year, we used a few different services for various needs.
We sent a 50-pound suitcase with Luggage Forward, a company that also partners with cruise lines and tour operators.
I arranged for Luggage Forward to pick up our bag in San Diego a few days in advance, and deliver them to the Hamptons on the day we arrived. They sent us shipping labels, tracking info, and updates throughout the whole process so we didn’t have to worry about a thing. We did the same thing on the way home and the bag was delivered on time, as promised, both ways.
Although Luggage Forward ships golf clubs, my husband opted to send his with ShipSticks because the company specializes in transporting this kind of gear, and he figured they would take extra special care of his “babies.” Again, we received shipping labels and updates so we could track the clubs and they arrived at our front door on time in perfect condition.
And on the way home, we used another company, LugLess, to send a carton of new purchases made during our trip because it was the most convenient. The whole vacation ended up being the least stressful travel experience we’ve ever had, and our backs and shoulders were grateful for not having to bear the brunt of the extra 100 pounds we shipped.
Baggage Fees Add Up
Most major airlines now charge $40 to $50 to check your first bag, and additional bags can cost substantially more. Then add in possible overweight fees, and you’re looking at spending several hundred dollars for a family just to bring clothes on a trip.
Shipping your luggage still costs you money. It cost $144 to ship my suitcase and $85 for the golf bag (because they both had to be sent across the country), but it was wildly more convenient.
And while $144 was more than a baggage check price, the 50-pound weight would have landed me an overweight fee, and I didn’t have to carry any of it.
Shipping also offers more options. You don’t have to pay the price of a 50 pound bag if yours only weighs a few pounds overweight, and the further in advance you send your item, the less you’ll pay.
Stop Schlepping
I hate trying to navigate an airport carrying more bags than I have hands. Getting on an escalator feels impossible and even maneuvering around the ropes to the counter without bumping into someone is a challenge.
Plus, checking a bag at the airport means arriving a lot earlier to ensure bags are checked within the required timeframe. By shipping my bags, I can arrive with less to lug, and closer to boarding time.
You also avoid having to wait for your bags at the luggage carousel, which can feel endless (or worse, learn the airline lost your luggage). My trip doesn’t kick off with added stress, and I land feeling excited and hands free, aside from my carry-ons.
Oversized Items Aren’t Overwhelming
My husband’s golf clubs are a pain to travel with because they take up a lot of space in a car, they’re unwieldy to drag through the airport, and we always have to search for them in the separate “oversized items” area in baggage claim.
ShipSticks removed all of these obstacles with their door-to-door service, picking up the bag (which didn’t require a box or any additional packing) at our home, and delivering it directly to our Airbnb.
We were even able to squeeze a few extra items of clothing in it, too, for added value. It made such a difference, my husband swears he’ll only send his clubs this way on future trips.
Skip the Trunk Tetris
Traveling with less baggage means you won’t need to reserve a bigger, more expensive car just to ensure there’s enough room in the trunk for everything.
You can even accept a ride to and from the airport from your BFF or opt for a shared shuttle, saving you money as well as the aggravation of having to wait for the right size car to be available or spend extra money booking it in advance.
Room for Souvenirs
My souvenirs of choice are always books, which, admittedly, are not the lightest items to carry home.
On a recent trip, I was lucky enough to score a huge stack of bestsellers from the East Hampton Library’s amazing section of free books. Had I brought them on the plane, I would have spent a fortune on fees to check them, and the effort to transport them would have been back breaking.
But, I was able to affordably send them home at the last minute through LugLess, the sister company to Luggage Forward. I chose them because I could drop the box off at FedEx on our way to the airport rather than wait for it to be picked up. Although they ship through traditional UPS and FedEx, they’re able to offer discounts you wouldn’t receive on your own. I paid $50 to ship my heavy box and, now, I shop freely during my travels without worrying about having to buy an extra suitcase for any items I want to bring home.
The Shortcut
Shipping your luggage to your destination lets you pack more while carrying less, whether it’s suitcases, strollers, or skis.
Different companies specialize in shipping different items. I tried a few different ones for clothes, golf clubs, and heavy books I bought as souvenirs.
Costs can be comparable to airline baggage fees, but even if they’re slightly more, the ease and convenience of going hands-free through the airport felt priceless.
