Sending luggage ahead
August 30, 2006The recent security alert has led to restrictions on the amount, and size, of luggage allowed to be carried on planes. Many airlines won't accept more than one piece of hold luggage, but the reduced hand-luggage size means more has to be checked-in than before.
Would it be easier just to send your bags ahead and let them come to you at your destination? Many delivery companies offer a door-to-door service: they will collect your bag in one country and deliver it to you in the next. All you have to do is pack your suitcase. But with the proliferation of companies offering similar services, which is the best to use?
Cheapflights has researched the costs of sending a 30kg suitcase via different delivery services to Paris, New York and Beijing. If you'd prefer to get on the plane holding nothing more than a book, the info below will be crucial.
Speed more important than cost? We've rated the services in two tables: one for the cheapest and one for the fastest. Just take your pick...
Below are the rates for sending a 30kg suitcase from central London via a number of delivery services to Paris, New York and Beijing.
Top six cheapest services
| Delivery Service | Paris cost | Paris ETA | New York cost | NYC ETA | Beijing cost | Beijing ETA |
| 1. BA* | £77.03 | Up to 3 days | £122.55 | Up to 3 days | £189.05 | Up to 5 days |
| 2. First Luggage | £81.08 | Up to 3 days | £129.00 | Up to 3 days | £199.00 | Up to 5 days |
| 3. Carry My Luggage | £92.83 | 2 days | £125 | 2 days | N/A | N/A |
| 4. UPS | £106.95 | 5-7 days | £155.83 | 5 days | £230.16 | 5 days |
| 5. Fedex | £161.45 | Next Day | £149.05 | 5 days | £362.28 | 3 days |
| 6. DHL | £162.71 | Next Day | £222.10 | 1-2 days | £344.71 | 3 days |
Top six fastest services
| Delivery Service | Paris cost | Paris ETA | New York cost | NYC ETA | Beijing cost | Beijing ETA |
| 1. Fedex | £161.45 | Next day | £247.58 | Next day | £362.28 | 3 days |
| 2. DHL | £162.71 | Next day | £222.10 | 1-2 days | £344.71 | 3 days |
| 3. UPS | £202.53 | 1-2 days | £207 | 1-2 days | £382 | 1-2 days |
| 4. Carry My Luggage | £92.83 | 2 days | £125 | 2 days | N/A | N/A |
| 5. First Luggage | £81.03 | Up to 3 days | £129 | Up to 3 days | £199 | Up to 5 days |
| 6. BA* | £77.03 | Up to 3 days | £122.55 | Up to 3 days | £189.05 | Up to 5 days |
* British Airways does not have its own delivery service but uses First Luggage. However, bookings through BA receive a 5 per cent discount on the First Luggage price.
Please note that all rates above include all surcharges and VAT where necessary. Different times and rates may be obtained by providing postcodes and dimensions of luggage. Rates above are for comparison purposes only.
Want to book? Call the contact numbers below:
BA: see number for First Luggage below
First Luggage: 08452 700670 (specify if you are a BA customer for a discount)
UPS: 08457 877877
Fedex: 08456 070809
DHL: 08701 100300
Carry my Luggage: 0870 1164892
© Cheapflights Ltd
