Cheaper to Ship Bags Instead of Checking
- added July 22, 2008
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- lunacaela
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Ship Heavy Baggage Instead of Checking It
After Northwest's announcement this week that it will be jumping on the bandwagon to charge people for their first checked bags, it seems as if increased luggage fees are here to stay. So finally, after all these years of reading about shipping your luggage in advance (and shrugging it off as too involved and possibly too expensive), you may be ready to play.
But is sending your worldly possessions ahead cost-effective? This Airfarewatchdog.com chart shows that, within the United States, indeed it is - particularly for heavy or oversized bags.
Another bonus is that, considering the long lines at check-in counters this summer, you can generally expect shipping your bag ahead to be more secure, not to mention more convenient, than checking it in.
You're also far less likely to have your bag "mishandled" - that's the fun word the Department of Transportation uses - by your airline or the Transportation Security Administration. And if a shipper loses your bags, which is unlikely, at least it will apologize.
Airlines won't insure many types of articles, such as electronics, business items (such as samples), and other valuables. Also: You might well ask, if an airline loses or delays your bags, will it refund all those fees? Don't count on it.
But FedEx and UPS will refund your shipping costs if they lose your belongings - which, in general, they won't. Delivery companies have a much better track record than the airlines.
After Northwest's announcement this week that it will be jumping on the bandwagon to charge people for their first checked bags, it seems as if increased luggage fees are here to stay. So finally, after all these years of reading about shipping your luggage in advance (and shrugging it off as too involved and possibly too expensive), you may be ready to play.
But is sending your worldly possessions ahead cost-effective? This Airfarewatchdog.com chart shows that, within the United States, indeed it is - particularly for heavy or oversized bags.
Another bonus is that, considering the long lines at check-in counters this summer, you can generally expect shipping your bag ahead to be more secure, not to mention more convenient, than checking it in.
You're also far less likely to have your bag "mishandled" - that's the fun word the Department of Transportation uses - by your airline or the Transportation Security Administration. And if a shipper loses your bags, which is unlikely, at least it will apologize.
Airlines won't insure many types of articles, such as electronics, business items (such as samples), and other valuables. Also: You might well ask, if an airline loses or delays your bags, will it refund all those fees? Don't count on it.
But FedEx and UPS will refund your shipping costs if they lose your belongings - which, in general, they won't. Delivery companies have a much better track record than the airlines.
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