United's New Door-to-Door Baggage Program
Yesterday, United announced that it's starting a new door-to-door bag delivery service for flights within the continental U.S. Here's how it'll work: You can either drop your bags at the nearest FedEx, or the Door-to-Door Baggage service will pick them up at your home and office. They'll get shipped overnight to your hotel, residence or other destination, so you can save time at the airport and avoid the hassles of checking bags and dealing with luggage en route.
Of course, this comes with a hefty price tag: $149 and up. That price tag makes United's checked baggage fees ($15 for the first bag and, starting Nov. 10, $50 for the second) look like bargains in comparison. But I'm sure there are people who will gladly have United ship and shlep for them. Harried parents with too much baby gear, or older travelers unable to manage heavy suitcases, maybe. And, depending on the distance traveled, United's price could be a significant discount from FedEx's standard rates.
Still, I'd just pack lighter.
By Christina Talcott |
October 30, 2008; 7:42 AM ET
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Christina Talcott
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Posted by: beachy1 | October 30, 2008 8:30 AM
Now that my kids are a bit older and we don't have all the gear, I doubt I would use it. But when they were younger I definitely would have considered it.
Posted by: dennis5 | October 30, 2008 9:40 AM
I have been doing this for several years with FedEx. I am a rowing referee with a bag of equipment which is a real pain to drag through airports and the contents (e.g., megaphone, air horn) often raise questions with security. When I travel to an event, often even if it is by car over a long distance, I take the bag with plenty of ID to my local Kinko's a few days in advance and have it shipped to my hotel. I notify the hotel to expect the package and all is good. On th way home I just reverse the process. Typical cost is around $35, but well worth the expense.
Posted by: skipper7 | October 30, 2008 12:04 PM
As someone who usually travels for non-work purposes, and by myself, I wouldn't see the need. But, if I was like skipper and had equipment to schlep as well as my clothes, then I would compare costs. I normally check one bag, and carry on my backpack (bookbag/laptop size). Just because I like to free up the under seat space. But, if I was on a long trip, with multiple plane changes, I might consider it.
Posted by: rja112 | October 30, 2008 11:58 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I'm not sure it would be worth it for us in the continental US (no kids, so we don't have the moving carnival caravan of stuff that I'm SURE annoys the poor parents as much as it annoys the other passengers), but if they would expand it to the US Virgin Islands and Hawaii it would be well worth it to avoid schlepping the scuba gear, etc.