In the travel process, it remains one of the great inconveniences — and also one of the great wastes of time: checking luggage.
Some smart travelers have learned to pack less and limit their luggage to reasonable carry-on bags. But for the rest of us, who either haven’t learned how to do that, or simply have too much to bring with them, is there a solution?
If time is money, then there absolutely is a solution.
As you may know, I have checked only about three bags domestically in nearly ten years. The reason?
I’ve figured out that it would cost me about two hours of my life to check any bag: a long line to stand in at a ticket or skycap counter, another line to deliver that bag to TSA inspectors, and then, assuming my bag even made the same flight I was on, the inevitable delay upon my arrival as I, along with other travelers, wait at that baggage carousel, hoping against hope my bags will show up. And, as a result of waiting for the bags, I get to stand in yet another long line for a taxi, followed by — if my timing was really terrific –rush hour traffic.
I avoid all of this — and even more — by simply not checking bags. In my case, I FedEx my bags. My office then calls the concierge of my hotel and gives him/her my tracking number, so that when I arrive at my hotel, guess what? My bags are already in my room. So… how much time did I save?
About two hours, EACH time I travel!
But FedEx isn’t the only solution. In the past few years, a number of new baggage delivery services have surfaced, and they include:
Virtual Bellhop
Virtual Bellhop’s mission is “to make travel easier and more enjoyable for individuals, families and business travelers around the globe.” They also pick up from your doorstep, and service the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Canada, the Bahamas, and most of Europe. Prices vary according to cities. On average, one piece that is 45 pounds costs $194 for 3 to 5 days, $216.50 for two-day service, and $284 for their priority overnight one-day service. These prices are for roundtrip delivery. For more information call 1-877-BELLHOP (1-877-235-5467) or visit http://www.virtualbellhop.com/.
Sports Express
Sports Express caters to both individuals and travelers who are looking for an alternative way to travel with sports equipment. They specialize in transporting items like snowboards, skis, and golf clubs. They work with FedEx, UPS, and DHL and are currently servicing the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, England, France, Ireland, Switzerland, and Wales. They also offer economy, priority, and overnight shipping options. Prices start at around $50 for the one-way delivery of a standard bicycle, rising to about $450 for overnight delivery. The economy delivery of a 40-pound bag of luggage starts at $138 for coast-to-coast shipping. International orders are more expensive, with a one-way 40-lb. bag costing $300 to send from Los Angeles to France. For more information call 1-800-357-4174 or visit http://www.sportsexpress.com/.
FedEx
SkyCap International, in association with FedEx, provides pickup and delivery of luggage, packages, and parcels. They ship both domestically and internationally. SkyCap offers the same service options as FedEx, such as Saturday pickup or delivery, and two-day or three-day delivery. An example rate from the website from Los Angeles to New York for a 10 lb. FedEx package is about $47 for two-day delivery, including taxes and service fee with a courier pickup (meaning FedEx will come pick up your package). FedEx offers discounts for either two-day or three-day delivery. Call 1-800-GO-FEDEX, or call Skycap at 1-877-775-9227 - or visit their website at http://www.skycapinternational.com. In case you were thinking of sending some more unusual items, no dry ice can be shipped by SkyCap International.
Same Day with UPS
In case you have to get your luggage somewhere the same day — and are willing to pay for it — UPS SonicAir has a website that enables you to get instant pricing and the fastest route options within seconds. Visit http://www.sonicair.ups.com for more information. For same day pickup and delivery, an estimate from “quick quote” for a 45 lb. bag could be as much as $410 from Los Angeles to New York. In addition to door-to-door pickup, UPS SonicAir puts it on the plane, and a courier is waiting to pick it up at the destination airport for hand-delivery to the recipient. UPS in general offers several convenient ways to track packages. You can track by email: Just send an email message with your UPS Tracking Numbers to
Luggage Free
Luggage Free focuses on affluent travelers, and picks up at a specified time from anywhere in the United States including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Pickup is also available in Canada and select destinations in Western Europe. Shipping time is usually two days for domestic travel by air, but can take as much as seven to nine business days for Canada and Europe. The cost is $1.50-$7 per pound, depending on the location and delivery speed, with a $40 pickup fee. To arrange a pickup or find out more information call 1-800-361-6871 or visit http://www.luggagefree.com/.
Luggage Express
I like this service, especially for frequent travelers. Luggage Express also tries to cater to all travelers, but offers a membership for frequent travelers with their Luggage Express Travelers Club (LE Club). A one-year membership gives you 15 one-way Deluxe, or two day deliveries, for $995.00 (for deliveries up to 70 lbs.). They service the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), select destinations in Canada and Europe, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nassau, Bahamas, Auckland, New Zealand, Sydney, Australia, and Capetown and Johannesburg, Africa. Their prices vary according city. For one-way domestic travel, the average 45 lb. bag will cost $100 for their deferred 3-to-5-day service, $115.25 for their Economy two-day service, and $153.50 for their overnight service. For international travel, it can take 7 to 10 days to arrive at the destination, and prices start around $150. To schedule a pickup or find out more information, call 1-866-SHIPBAGS (1-866-744-7224) or visit http://www.usxpluggageexpress.com/.
And finally, even some hotels are getting into the alternative “luggage shipping” act. Ritz Carlton has a program for its frequent guests, where no bags are shipped…period.
Just leave your luggage when you check out, and the hotel will launder and dry clean everything, so that your clothes will be waiting for you, upon your return, hanging in your room. There is a similar program at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills in which the hotel offers to store clothing for guests, and clean and press it upon their return. So when you arrive, your clothes are clean and waiting in your room.
By Peter Greenberg for PeterGreenberg.com
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