Yahoo Finance: Alternatives to Checking Your Luggage

While this Yahoo Finance article originally came from Consumer Reports, it’s still pretty awesome to see a financial publication take notice of smart luggage shipping alternatives to checking bags with an airline.

Yahoo Finance points out that it can actually cost hundreds of dollars to check your bags with an airline and proposed a few alternative options.

LugLess was the only option mentioned that actually came out being less expensive then paying airline baggage fees (which is always great for us to see).

I_f you’re at least five days from departure and have a modest amount of gear, you may be able to beat the airlines on price. For example, shipping two bags from Houston to Milwaukee costs $40, or $20 per bag._

The full roundup article, here.

More reasons to ship instead of check

Beyond the cost savings, shipping your bags spares you the physical grind of travel. Checked luggage becomes a real burden the moment you land: subway stairs with no elevator, a crowded bus at rush hour, or a long walk uphill to the hotel with kids, a stroller, and a bag for everyone. For families, older travelers, or anyone with a disability, sending the heavy bags ahead can be the difference between a rough arrival and an easy one.

The process itself is simple. LugLess finds discounted FedEx and UPS rates, and you either drop your bags at a local location or schedule a pickup. A few habits keep things smooth:

• Pack snugly and lock your suitcase, just as you would for a flight.
• Skip prohibited items. Carriers won’t accept alcohol, and that includes high-alcohol goods like perfume.
• Plan the return leg too. Set it up as a round trip and print your label at home, or go paperless with LugLess Digital Labels.

And if you’re shipping to a rental, confirm your host can receive the bags first, or send them to a nearby UPS or FedEx location to grab when you arrive. Not sure how it works? Here’s the full rundown.