United and FedEx form a partnership allowing travelers the option of overnighting their baggage instead of checking it. Expensive, but interesting idea.
Stokes From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 27 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 3510 times:
I confess I have been UPS-ing my bags for a while now, straight to destination. Before I leave, use tracking number to ensure your stuff is there or close. If you purchase the return freight, name hotels will be happy to ship them back for you. Carry nothing but work papers on the flight.
Because I must connect to get home, having no bags allows me to catch an early flight home if the previous flight is on time or early.
I will never check a bag again if I can help it. Silly state of affairs, but there it is.
YYZYYT From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 852 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 3457 times:
Quoting Stokes (Reply 1): I confess I have been UPS-ing my bags for a while now, straight to destination. Before I leave, use tracking number to ensure your stuff is there or close. If you purchase the return freight, name hotels will be happy to ship them back for you. Carry nothing but work papers on the flight.
I do the same thing, when travelling for work... usually I have several boxes of paper that would be a pain in the behind.
But the thought of doing it with baggage generally is intriguing. If the cost could be brought down, I'd be tempted to try it.
Rwessel From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 1986 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 3156 times:
There are several services doing that for sports gear, particularly skiers, golfers, and others who can't really travel light. I've used Sports Express (obvious URL) indirectly - a group collected a pile for them, my stuff went in it.
Don81603 From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 1185 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 2541 times:
The only real hinderance I can forsee (other than the cost) is on intercontinental flights. Customs would have a great old time nailing you for duties and taxes, since the articles purchased abroad must accompany you to be declared as tax/duty free. Other than that, even the higher cost would be worth it to ensure you bags actually end up where they're supposed to.
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
Phelpsie87 From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 498 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 2092 times:
Quoting Don81603 (Reply 5): The only real hinderance I can forsee (other than the cost) is on intercontinental flights. Customs would have a great old time nailing you for duties and taxes, since the articles purchased abroad must accompany you to be declared as tax/duty free. Other than that, even the higher cost would be worth it to ensure you bags actually end up where they're supposed to.
That shouldn't be a problem considering its only valid for the contiguous 48...
Sq2ams From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 1813 times:
Quoting Stokes (Reply 1): I confess I have been UPS-ing my bags for a while now, straight to destination. Before I leave, use tracking number to ensure your stuff is there or close. If you purchase the return freight, name hotels will be happy to ship them back for you. Carry nothing but work papers on the flight.
I have to confess I have been doing the same for the past seven years. Since my domestic travel is only to connect to my int'l flight, I ship directly from my home in Florida to my residence in the Czech Republic. Duty free is not a problem since I usually carry on my duty free and do not put anything in my shipped bag that would hold it up in Customs. It's great, in seven years, traveling monthly, UPS has not lost or delayed my bag. Expensive, a little, but cheaper than all the bag fee's that would otherwise be applied to my two bags. Good luck to United and FedEx, but the thought of giving anything to United to ship is scary. I'll stick with UPS.
Ual777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 1478 posts, RR: 5 Reply 7, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 1690 times:
I just did a quick check and from ORD-SEA and here is what I found:
UPS would charge appx. $227.00 one way for a 45 lb. bag to arrive the next day by 3pm
Luggage Forwarders would cost $293.00 for next day service.
UA would cost $179.00
I also checked some other companies and they do not even offer next-day service.
With UA's prices being $40 cheaper than the nearest competitor I could find; I think they may have a winner with this one...
Either way, kudos to their management team for innovating for once.
777fan From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 2402 posts, RR: 3 Reply 8, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 1338 times:
Quoting Ual777 (Reply 7): I also checked some other companies and they do not even offer next-day service.
With UA's prices being $40 cheaper than the nearest competitor I could find; I think they may have a winner with this one...
I noticed this while confirming some travel plans online earlier today - very interesting concept. I travel quite often for business and have become quite accustomed to packing light if for no other reason than to not check at all. I suppose that one group that will likely benefit are vacationers that plan to bring home extra "souvenirs" et al. By placing them into your already overweight bag and Fed-Exing them, you'd forego baggage overage fees and possibly postage.
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