Shipping Baggage Ahead Of Trip Could Be The New Travel Trend

In what could be the latest travel trend, people are shipping their baggage direct to their hotel, to cut down on airport chaos and even save money. In the wake of the pandemic, canceled flights and other problems are causing travel chaos. Meanwhile, airports are packed with thousands of travelers fighting to get to their destinations. Could shipping your baggage ahead of your flight save you time and money?

Baggage delivery services save time at the airport

A number of delivery companies are making travelers’ lives so much easier, by handling their baggage. Travel Market Report notes that one such company is LugLess. In their report, they quote Aaron Kirley, President and Co-Founder of LugLess talking about the service:

With summer travel season just heating up, LugLess has definitely seen an increase in travelers wanting to streamline their trips and breeze through airports without hauling their luggage.

Kirley noted that in 2022, the demand for their baggage shipping service has more than doubled from pre-pandemic times. He said they believe this is indicative of travelers seeing the value in fewer stops inside the airport. Meanwhile, there are potential cash savings from using the service.

How does this work?

Travelers would book their baggage shipment on LugLess.com in pretty much the same way they book a flight. They detail their destination and the dates they would like their baggage to make the trip. Moreover, travelers specify where they will be staying, whether at a hotel, resort, Airbnb or private residence.

Once this information is entered, the traveler will then be shown the best prices across Lugless’ carrier partners, including FedEx and UPS. Once confirmed, they will receive shipping labels direct in their email or phone.

The next step is to either drop off the baggage locally or have it collected at their door. Once this is done, the bag starts its journey to its final destination.

According to Kirley, shipping baggage is “safe and reliable.” However, travelers should avoid shopping items like medication. He pointed out that something simple like a delayed flight could leave the traveler without the medication. Kirley said the same goes for the traveler’s various forms of ID, or their trip itinerary, which should be kept on their person during trips.

Bags arrive at their destination

Meanwhile, most hotels and resorts are prepared to accept baggage prior to their guests’ arrival and most do so without an additional charge. However, Kirley did say it is a good idea to confirm this with the hotel prior to booking the shipment, as some may charge a small handling fee.

How much does the service cost?

The prices are reasonable. For instance, LugLess has a starting price of $20 to ship a bag domestically. He said that their partnerships with FedEx and UPS allow them to provide the best rates. In fact, Kirley said that most trips won’t cost any more than an airline would charge for a checked bag. Moreover, in some cases, it will actually cost less to ship the baggage rather than checking it on the flight.

Obviously, this service will be of huge benefit to travelers who normally lug their bags around the airport. With the shipping service, you only need to check yourself in for your flight. Of course, at the other end, there will be no hanging around the baggage carousel, waiting for your bag to arrive. You just take your carry-on from the plane and leave the airport, ready to start your reservation.

Readers, do you think this could be the new travel trend, saving you time and money? Let us know by dropping a comment below.