Luggage Forwarding Services

How do you take the “lug” out of luggage? The answer is luggage forwarding. What started as a premium service 10 years ago is looking more attractive to fliers, who feel that if they must pay to check a bag, they might as well do it on their terms … and not worry it might get lost. The fees of the couriers listed here are much steeper than airline surcharges, but — with a little help from Fedex and UPS — they do promise the convenience of door-to-door service:

First Luggage (www.FirstLuggage.com) – A British Airways partner operating internationally.

International Port Services (www.intlportservices.com) — Worldwide shipping of passenger luggage to and from vacation destinations, including cruise ships, hotels, resorts. They pick up luggage themselves and deliver it to your cruise ship or chosen destination.

Luggage Concierge (www.luggageconcierge.com) — Good personal service but charges slightly more than the others.

LuggageExpress (www.uspxLuggageExpress.com) – A Colorado-based company that in addition to luggage, it ships large sports gear (golf clubs, bikes, skis, snowboards, kayak, and gear bags).

Luggage Forward (www.Luggageforward.com), a Boston-based luggage and sports equipment-delivery service. Ships to more than 200 countries and territories.

Luggage Free (www.luggagefree.com) — Charges slightly less because their prices are based on exact weight not a weight range (e.g., up to 55 lbs). Also, one of the few companies to send a courier (not a third-party delivery service).

Skycap International (www.skycapinternational.com) — Domestic and international. All luggage and baggage is shipped, insured, tracked, and delivery-guaranteed by FedEx.