Shipping luggage vs. checking it for US domestic air travel

Question

I heard recently that, when traveling domestically in the U.S., it is better to ship your bags using a courier service rather than check them in. According to the source, this has three advantages:

• Not having to pay extra to check in bags.
• Avoiding the possibility of lost bags as bags are "frequently" mishandled.
• Skipping the rush and confusion at baggage carousels at airports and exiting right out, finding that the bags have been already set in the hotel room by staff.

Is this a viable idea, and has anyone had success with it? Out of curiosity, what shipping company did you use and how much did you save (versus paying to check them in)?

I'm thinking of using USPS Priority Mail (2-day service to my destination) Large Flat Rate Box and using Space Bags to compact my clothing while still remaining under the (fairly generous) 70-pound weight limit.

Anyway, is shipping your bags to your destination a viable idea, and is it certainly better than checking bags in? I'm looking for an answer that describes whether it is a good idea, whether or not it's been successful in specific circumstances, and whether the advantages I've listed above apply in most cases.

Answer 1

It certainly is a viable idea and it is being done by business travelers though not for the same purpose.

Going forward all rates and sizes are taking from current USPS information

If you will be able to fit your luggage into a 12"x12"x5.5" box and ship it to your destination using priority mail you can certainly save money if you do not insure the package for more then a standard $100 making the insurance $500 makes the the cost identical to the $25 you will pay for a checked bag on a flight.

Now if you consider other aspects of the situation:

• Are there facilities to receive and store the package prior to your arrival?
• Will you require someone to sign for the package? Is that someone going to be available when package arrives?
• If you do not require signature and the place you're shipping to is a residence are you OK with it sitting on a porch or somewhere else outside the house?
• If the post office won't leave the package for unattended (it happens) will you be able to go and pick it up from the post office when you arrive at your destination?

And the last but not least if you are able to fit your belongings into 12"x12"x5.5" box you can just as easily fit it into a carry-on bag like this Samsonite.

So before you decide to do or not to do this check your reasoning for why are you actually trying to do this.