How do I choose between paying for checked bags or shipping luggage ahead?
Recently, a “Silent Generation” friend of mine began finalizing his plans for a months-long visit with family who live several hundred miles away. Given the length of his stay and the purpose of his visit, he estimated taking 3-4 bags, some potentially oversized or overweight. He wondered whether it be more prudent for him to ship the luggage ahead rather than check it on his flight. This seemed like an option other infrequent travelers may not know how to evaluate, if they even know about it. So, under the banner of helpful hints for those aging in place, I prompted Perplexity Pro 1 with the title to see what it said. Its response follows…
Choosing between paying for checked bags or shipping your luggage ahead depends on several factors, including cost, convenience, timing, and the number and size of your bags. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decide:
Cost Comparison
Checked Bags: Most airlines charge $30-45 for the first checked bag on domestic flights, with fees increasing for each additional bag. Second and third bags can cost $100 or more each, and overweight or oversized bags may incur extra charges of $100-200 per bag [8] [6].
Shipping Luggage: Shipping costs vary by provider, bag size, weight, distance, and speed. For example, shipping a carry-on from New York to San Francisco might cost $38-115, depending on the service and speed. Shipping heavier or multiple bags can sometimes be cheaper than airline fees, especially for three or more bags or for those that exceed airline weight/size limits [6] [3] [4].
Convenience and Time
Checked Bags: You must transport your luggage to the airport, wait in check-in lines, and retrieve your bags at baggage claim. There’s also the risk of lost, delayed, or damaged luggage-about 7 in every 1,000 bags are mishandled globally [6].
Shipping Luggage: Your bags are picked up from your home and delivered to your destination, letting you travel through the airport hands-free and skip baggage claim. However, you need to plan ahead, as shipping generally requires you to send your bags several days in advance to get the best rates [6] [3] [8].
When Shipping Makes Sense
You have multiple bags (three or more), oversized, or overweight luggage, and want to avoid steep airline fees [3] [4] [6].
You value convenience and want to avoid the hassle of carrying bags through airports or waiting at baggage claim [6] [8].
You’re traveling with special equipment (golf clubs, skis, bikes) that airlines charge extra for [6].
You have a complex itinerary with multiple stops, making it easier to have bags shipped directly to each destination [6].
When Checking Bags Is Better
You only have one or two standard-sized bags and can stay within airline weight limits-checked bag fees are usually lower than shipping in this case [6] [8].
You’re booking last minute and don’t have time to ship your bags ahead.
You want to keep your luggage with you for security or personal reasons.
Other Considerations
Predictability: Shipping services often have transparent, flat-rate pricing, while airline fees can be unpredictable with hidden charges for overweight or oversized bags [8].
Insurance and Handling: Shipping services may offer gentler handling and insurance, reducing the risk of damage compared to airline baggage handling [3].
Planning Ahead: Shipping requires more advance planning and coordination with your hotel or destination to receive your bags [6].
Summary Table
Bottom Line
Choose checked bags if you’re traveling light, need flexibility, or want the lowest cost for one or two standard bags.
Choose shipping if you have multiple, heavy, or oversized bags, want a hassle-free airport experience, or are willing to pay a bit more for convenience and peace of mind [6] [3] [8].
Always compare both options for your specific trip-get quotes from your airline and a luggage shipping service to see which is more cost-effective and convenient for your needs.
Citations
[2] Can you save money by shipping your luggage instead of checking it? (YouTube) - KKSL News Utah
[3] Lugging Less: The Benefits of Luggage Shipping Services - NeedItNow
[4] Is it cheaper to ship your luggage? - lugless
[5] Does anybody ever mail their clothes vs. checking a bag? - Reddit
[6] To Ship or to Check? That Is the Luggage Question. - NY Times Travel
[7] Should You Ship Your Luggage Ahead to Your Destination? - Consumer Reports
[8] How Shipping Luggage Saves You Money - Sherpr
[9] Is shipping your luggage better than checking bags? (Video) - Washington Post By The Way Travel
[10] Shipping luggage vs checking bags - Tripadvisor
[11] Maybe You Should Just Ship Your Luggage - LIFEHACKER
[12] Is It Cheaper To Ship Luggage Or Take On Plane? (YouTube) - TravelClosely
[13] Shipping Clothes vs. High Cost Baggage Fees - cruisecritic
[14] Shipping Luggage vs. Checking: The Inside Scoop - Luggage Free
[15] Top 5 Reasons Why Shipping Your Luggage Is Cheaper Than Checking It In At The Airport - Sherpr
[16] Shipping luggage vs. checking it for US domestic air travel - StackExchange Travel
[17] What is the Real Cost to Ship Luggage? - LUGGAGE FORWARD
[18] Shipping luggage instead of checking? - Tripadvisor
[19] Simplify Your Life with Luggage Shipping - LUGGAGE FREE
Perplexity Pro. “How do I choose between paying for checked bags or shipping luggage ahead.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. April 30, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-do-i-choose-between-paying-rAgDoIpNQcCvbJoWmxoQUQ.