May 10th, 2006, by Mary Winston Nicklin
Send Your Bags Ahead with Luggage Forwarding Services
Not only are airlines continuing to lose bags at an abysmal rate, but now they’re slapping on the baggage fees (overweight bag and you’ll have to pony up the dough). Hence the launch of luggage shipping. Skip the hassle of airport check-in, kiss goodbye to bag-schlepping on taxis and trains, avoid the wait at baggage claim, and travel worry-free knowing that your bags will be waiting for you at your destination. Brilliant.
Who are the big guys in luggage shipping? Luggage Free bills itself the “luxury luggage delivery expert,” specializing in the delivery of excess baggage, golf clubs, skis and oversize stuff. Luggage Concierge offers competitive pricing and a first-class experience, with solid insurance coverage. Luggage Forward provides door-to-door luggage and sports equipment delivery to more than 200 countries globally. Luggage Forward recently announced a sweet new development in their business model: a walk-up forwarding location at the Nantucket Memorial Airport. The fully-staffed counter will be available during the busy summer season, and is the first instance of a luggage forwarding company creating a satellite location.
By now, discerning travelers have caught on to the trend of luggage forwarding. Pray tell: how do you like it? What has been your experience? How many days does the process require? Will you ever check baggage on your flights again? Fill us in!
I have been using luggage delivery services for years, with small children and a summer home on the vineyard it’s not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Luggage Forward definitely had the best customer service and our bags were waiting for us when we arrived… it’s the best.
Thanks so much for the tip. Where do you ship from? And how many days does it require to ship your bags ahead?
I use Luggage Free for most of my travels and it’s always been a pleasure. Traveling with the knowledge that my bag is already waiting for me and not having to deal with the airport is the only thing that makes air travel bearable again to be honest.
I used Luggage Free to ship two bags roundtrip to St Barts. The service was fine and it was great not to carry them, BUT we had two major reservations about using them internationally:
1. Price!! In the end, shipping two bags (while heavy) wasmore than the cost of a palne ticket to St Barts…over $1000
2. Beyond the control of Luggage Free is US Customs…the bags were held up in customs for over a week. That is a long time to ferment your dirty clothes and wait to unpack!
I recently switched from Luggage Free to Luggage Forward, they have online booking, their prices are right and they allow you to track your luggage. I have used Luggage Forward successfully for one trip from US to Italy, two trips from the US to the UK, and once within the US for a business trip. If you like 5 start travel then I would definitely recommed giving them a call.
I used luggage forward to ship two brand new bags from Chicago to Spain. I was told that I had $500.00 insurance. Both Bagw were destroyed in shipping. I got the run around from luggage forward who told me that my claim was in process andnever answered me again. Iwould not use or recommend this service. Their gurantee of satisfaction is a joke.