Using Luggage Shipping Services Instead of Checking
Jul 31, 2022 | 1:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,279
Using Luggage Shipping Services Instead of Checking
With the meltdown in airline luggage handling in Europe and the UK, I am considering doing a carryon and then shipping a large suitcase with one of the services that ships it door to door (which is not cheap). Does anyone have experience doing this?
Jul 31, 2022 | 6:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SEA
Posts: 345
I've used Luggage Forward to ship skis from Seattle to NZ and Japan. Not since 2017 though. Works well and I did it since didn't want to schlep the skis around at other destinations before needing them. I only use the service one-way. As you said, it's very expensive now so really up to you to have peace of mind.
Last edited by skitraveler; Jul 31, 2022 at 6:52 pm
Jul 31, 2022 | 7:28 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,325
I only travel to a handful of cities for business these days and stay in the same hotels. I have bags stored at each hotel and know how to get my clothes washed (including the hotel sink method). I buy new clothes locally or ship them to the hotel. In both cases, the hotel people add them to my stored bag. If shipping costs weren't so cheap here in China, I'd probably avoid the shipping drill because stores like H&M are everywhere. I also don't mind checking a bag.
Jul 31, 2022 | 9:52 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
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Or you could just buy a $30 AirTag (assuming you have an Apple device) and avoid all of these costly and inconvenient alternatives to what still remains likely a pretty small risk.
Aug 1, 2022 | 7:45 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,279
Thanks. I've got some names. I am planning to fly US to CDG, transit CDG and arrive at AMS. My concern would be less if those were not the airports involved. (I am transiting LHR on the return, but am less concerned about late bags on the return.) Also, I often now use Apple airtags, but those only let you know where the bag is. They do not help much in making the airline handle it timely or deliver it faster.
Nov 4, 2022 | 4:53 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Boston's north shore
Programs: Atmos Platinum
Posts: 409
Artpen100 May I ask what you decided to do, and if you were happy with whichever decision you made?
I'm debating using Luggage Forward to return items from a trip to Nepal, but that feels like an extreme test case, mostly to allow me to overpack on comfort items like bug spray and water purification on my first trip to a developing country...
I'm debating using Luggage Forward to return items from a trip to Nepal, but that feels like an extreme test case, mostly to allow me to overpack on comfort items like bug spray and water purification on my first trip to a developing country...
Nov 5, 2022 | 6:56 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Queretaro
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 5,231
Artpen100 May I ask what you decided to do, and if you were happy with whichever decision you made?
I'm debating using Luggage Forward to return items from a trip to Nepal, but that feels like an extreme test case, mostly to allow me to overpack on comfort items like bug spray and water purification on my first trip to a developing country...
I'm debating using Luggage Forward to return items from a trip to Nepal, but that feels like an extreme test case, mostly to allow me to overpack on comfort items like bug spray and water purification on my first trip to a developing country...