I've done this a few times now -- it's great. Don't have to deal with checking bags. Also, if you're combining a few trips into one without returning home, you can send home the dirty clothes and have less to carry along.

I've done it too--particularly if I find a mall with great value in clothing: I stock up and ship the things back. I have used UPS, but FedEx Ground probably offers the same kind of deal.

The Citi Platinum Select AAdvantage MasterCard has a deal with "Luggage Express", where cardmembers get 1 free shipment of up to 2 bags or 70 lbs for 2-day delivery in the domestic US in each 365 day period, and 10% off all other uses.

www.866shipbags.com/benefit is the website for more info.

I've never used it, but planned to test it over the summer when I've got a wedding at the end of an overseas trip, to have my tux & my wife's fancy dress waiting at our hotel -- maybe I"ll even have them press them the day we arrive...

Be careful of luggage express ... We used them 9/05 with the citibank "free" one way ... First, they lost one of our bags for a few hours ... then found it. One brand new bag arrived at our destination with the outside pocket zipper broken ... although a claim was filed, it was later denied. Then, while checking my credit card online on vacation, I was charged for a full round trip. It took 8+ months to resolve with Citibank and Luggage Express. However, it was worth it not to lug all our bags out to California ... we arrived at our hotel for our elopement/honeymoon and there were our bags ... we opted to return with the bags to CT ... who cares if they're lost for awhile on the way back??? I've used FedEx to ship laundry, gifts, etc. while away ... I go to a Mail, Etc. type of place, with my company pre-printed slip and it works like a charm ... really great way to get stuff back home.

Fedex Ground has typically charged me $15-$25, depending on distance.

We drove from California to Texas last year and all our stuff wouldn't fit in our SUV, so we shipped three bags to my sister in TX. It was only $56 via FedEx Ground, plus they allowed us to lock them and everything arrived in good shape.

Then we went on a cruise and lugged all our bags with us to Europe (2 large, 2 medium and 2 carry-ons each). We paid extra to bring all that stuff, but sure didn't want to lug it back, so while at the Cavalieri Hilton in Rome, we inquired with the Concierge if he could have it shipped back home for us. He ended up using some freight forwarder, who sent it FedEx. It cost way less doing it that way, than just calling FedEx directly. It cost about $400, but it was worth it for the health of our backs...and because it is probably the last time we'll do that.

USPS Priority or Express with confirmation is about 1/2 price of corresponding Fed Ex service (and UPS). Tracking is as easy and claims through the Post Office are handled much better than FedEx/UPS (especially UPS). And most Mailboxes, etc. type places will take postal service as well as FedEX/UPS. Or the cheapest way, just go to the closest post office.

We are in the logistics business, so we deal with this stuff everyday.