Luggage Shipping Guide

Eliminate the hassle and worry of lost bags

Full luggage shipping companies eliminate the hassle and worry of traveling with your bags and the risk of them getting lost. This is a quick and easy guide with some handy tips.

According to the Department of Transportation over 400,00 bags are reported each year as "Mishandled" (which is defined as delayed, lost, damaged or pilfered.)

Specialists in Air Transport Communications and IT Solutions SITA - Baggage Report 2009

Luggage shipping companies offer luggage shipping to and from your destination. It is a door to door service. Most companies will ship to and from, to just about anywhere in the World. Some will even ship to over 200 destinations worldwide. So if you are traveling Internationally with and overweight bag that is over 70 lbs it may be beneficial for you to use a luggage shipping service.

Is luggage shipping right for you?

Consider this: the average amount of time it takes you to check your bag is about 2 hours. With Luggage shipping you can avoid the dreaded long check-in lines and go straight to your gate and your bags will be waiting for you on the other end of your trip.

Who uses this service?

Who uses luggage shipping companies? Well, it ranges from travel agents, athletes with equipment or sports gear, cruise passengers, resort guests, senior citizens and children going to camp. Luggage shipping is also perfect for a college student or a dual residence owner.

Plan ahead - your luggage shipping

Many luggage shipping companies offer a 3-6 business day domestic delivery window. Depending on how fast you would like your luggage to arrive. Some offer a 1 day delivery plan, a 2 day plan or even a 3 day delivery plan. Be sure to check each company respectively for their delivery plans and policies. International delivery can sometimes take up to 10 business days.

Prevent Lost luggage blues by Peter Greenberg

The Cost? Shipping through courriers

"a piece of mind doesn't go cheap either"

Shipping through courier services

FedEX ships for around $35 each way. U.P.S. ships for around $34 each way and the U.S. Post Office also ships for around $55 each way. Visit each companies respective website for more complete details.

Their are quite a few reputable luggage shipping companies out there. You will have to email them for a quote but their prices range from about $40 - $200 depending on the size and the amount of luggage that you wish to ship unlike the airlines there is no limit on the amount of bags you wish to ship.The minimum weight is usually a small upright bag at 40 lbs and the maximum weight limit is usually 150 lbs. Which by the way I found out is heavier than most major airlines allow.

Luggage Shipping Companies

www.luggagefree.com - toll free number is 800-361-6871 they have a $40 pickup fee they do pickups from all US states including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Alaska. Canada and selected destinations in Western Europe.
www.theluggageclub.com - toll free number is 877-231-5131 each item is insured up to $1,000 you can insure up to $10,000
www.luggageforward.com - toll free number is 866-416-7447 each item is insured $500 with the option to purchase additional coverage up to $10,000
http://www.luggageconcierge.com - toll free number is 800-288-9818 $1,500 domestic and $300 International
www.sportsexpress.com - toll free number is 800-357-4174 each item is insured $500 with the option to purchase additional coverage up to $5,000

You can use most of these companies when shipping luggage Internationally. It is however suggested to allow enough time for your luggage to be shipped and to meet you at your over the water destination. These services are perfect for a couple that is having a weeding abroad or a businessman that needs to ship his golf clubs to meet him on the other end.

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Pro's and Con's of door to door luggage delivery

¶Pro - Many companies also offer complimentary limited liability insurance for Domestic and International shipments.

¶Con - Some companies do not do weekend or holiday pick-ups also it is suggested that you review each companies delivery and pickup schedules and policies.

¶Pro - Save roughly 2 hours of waiting in line no bags to worry about. If you checkin electronically online you will be able to go straight to your flights gate.

¶Con - Some companies charge a cancellation fee after you commit to your order.

¶Pro - If you are a sportsman you will be able to ship your equipment or gear such as skis, snowboard, bike, golf clubs, kayaks, surfboard etc. It is more than likely to be guaranteed on the other end of your trip waiting for you when you arrive.

¶Con - Many shippers require a 72 hour prepaid shipping payment.

¶Pro - It is customizable, you can choose a faster service for the trip going out and a slower one for the return.

¶Con - Since you have to ship your bag well in advance of your trip. If you are a last minute packer or if you have forgotten to pack certain items you may not be able to bring them on your trip.

¶Pro - If you are in transition of moving you can ship as many as bags as you want there is no limit.

¶Con - How much are you willing to pay? If you aren't willing to plan ahead. The faster you want your bags to arrive the more you may have to pay.

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