Ship Or Check Luggage
December 31, 2009 by Travel Guide Greg
Filed under Travel Guides
Should you ship or check your luggage? Some people advocate shipping your luggage ahead of you on your trip, so you don’t have to deal with baggage fees or juggle your luggage in airports. A proliferation of baggage shipping companies has made this a more viable option for travelers.
These new luggage shipping companies offer door-to-door service. The arguments in favor of using one are… first, that it takes a long time standing in airport lines to check your bags. And, there are fees to check your bags and extra fees for overweight bags.
We personally think these shipping services are more expensive than checking your bags, and we don’t think this is the best option for the casual tourist, but maybe you think differently. There are also some times when ship or check costs might just tip the other way, so that shipping option will be worth it.
If you’re a cruise passenger who just must have a different formal outfit for every dinner, you might have so much luggage that shipping it will be easier. It could be great for athletes with lots of sports gear and equipment. Or how about college students moving off to school? It may be good for business men with lots of material for presentations or conventions.
We have friends from New York who have a summer house in Norway. They use shipping services to get the household goods they need to Norway. It was way too much to try and carry bedding and towels in their luggage.
If you decided that shipping your luggage is for you, you need to plan ahead. Most of these companies take up to a week to deliver your luggage. Longer if you are traveling internationally. If you want it delivered faster, it will cost you a lot more.
If you’re usually a last minute packer, anything you forget to put in those shipped bags will have to go in your carry-on. And we do think you should have your medicines, a change of clothes, and anything really important in your carry-on. Even though these shipping services give you guarantees, remember “Murphy’s Law.” Things can go wrong. Some don’t deliver on weekend or holidays… and do you know when the Bank Holidays are in London?
Compare two or three different companies for their delivery schedules and fees. Is there a cancellation fee if you change your mind or change your itinerary and pick-up date?
This option doesn’t work unless you have a place to ship TO. The address of a friend or your cruise ship or the hotel where you have a reservation. Be sure to alert your hotel that luggage will be shipped to them, so they won’t refuse it. We’ve heard that some hotels won’t accept shipped luggage for security reasons, so it’s best to check with your hotel before signing up with the service.
So weigh it out for yourself… maybe after you weigh your luggage! Should you ship or check? It’s an option to consider.
