If you’re like me, waiting around a luggage carousel is NOT how you like to spend your time. That’s why airlines are getting into the luggage delivery game.
Several years ago, United partnered with FedEx, and now works with a company called Bags VIP. US Airways, American Airlines and—most recently, JetBlue—also use this service. You check your bags at the counter. They’ll tag it, and the luggage is delivered to your doorstep within a few hours.
This concept definitely takes some of the hassle out of travel, but there are drawbacks. You still have to schlep your luggage to the airport. They also won’t deliver more than 100 miles from the airport.
Of course, it’s not free—anywhere from $25 to $50 per bag, depending on the airline and how many bags. And yes, checked-luggage fees still apply.
If you’re willing to spend some money to avoid the headache, I still maintain that it’s better to keep control and ship them yourself using FedEx, UPS, or any number of luggage shipping services.
They go door-to-door, track your bags, and they give significant price breaks with three-day Ground shipping.
For more information, visit the Luggage archives.
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