Travel Tips Digest

Need to go somewhere in a hurry? Hope you’re not flying through Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. According to the 2007 Bureau of Transportation statistics, this airport ranks #1 for travel delays. Right behind O’Hare are Newark and Kennedy International. Definitely not a status any airport is proud to display.

So who’s the best? General Lyman Airport in Hilo, Hawaii. Their delays are almost non-existent and Hawaii’s airlines are known for their timely departure and arrivals.

Here’s a quick rundown of the worst airports out there in terms of travel delays:

1. Chicago O’Hare
2. Newark Liberty International
3. Kennedy International
4. La Guardia
5. Dallas/Ft. Worth International
6. San Francisco International
7. Logan International
8. Philadelphia International
9. Hartsfield-Jackson
10. Minneapolis St. Paul International

So you’re forced to travel through O’Hare and feel doomed? Never fear! Subscribe to my newsletter over there on the right and get my free “Travel Secrets Revealed!” In it, I share not only air travel tips to make it through some of these delays faster (security), but also how to enjoy the wait a little more!

With flight delays long enough to make a nun swear, it’s important to know how to make getting to your destination as easy as possible.  Here are 13 air travel tips to help you get there with a little more sanity:

• Fly early in the day. At airports scheduled to capacity, any delay in the morning means there will be at least that much of a delay for every flight thereafter.
• Depart a day in advance for crucial trips, such as a business meeting or a wedding.

(more…)

So yesterday we talked about the pros and cons of checking your bags at the airport. Today, let’s see if you’re any better off shipping your luggage ahead of time…

Who: FedEx, UPS, DHL, the United States Postal Service and other all-purpose shipping companies

Price: The cost varies widely based on the size and weight of your bag, the distance it needs to travel, and the speed of service that you select. To send a 40-pound suitcase from New York to San Francisco in five days, UPS quoted us a fee of $48.91. Want it there in three days? The price soars to $119.

Raise the weight of the bag to 60 pounds, and UPS charges $65.13 for five-day delivery — which could be less than the penalties you’ll pay for exceeding your airline’s weight limit. (Most airlines charge fees for any bags exceeding 50 pounds.)

Pros: These services are quite reliable and will generally give you a tracking number so that you can keep tabs on the whereabouts of your bag.

They’re less expensive than specialized luggage services, and (as in the example above) could be more economical than checking a bag with your airline under certain circumstances.

Shipping your bags ahead of time allows you to skip check-in lines and waiting around at baggage claim. Also, do you REALLY want to haul around a 60+ pound suitcase through God knows how many terminals, people movers and escalators to get to the outside world and your shuttle or rental car?

Cons: UPS, FedEx and the like do not offer as much personal service as the smaller luggage shipping companies.

You may need to drop your bag off at a designated shipping location or arrange for a special pickup several days before your trip.

Service may only be available on business days.

In most cases, shipping your bags will be pricier than checking them on your airline.

Luggage shipping companies

Who: Luggage Forward, Luggage Concierge, Luggage Free, Luggage Club, Sports Express and many others

Price: To send a 40-pound bag between New York and San Francisco, the lowest price we found on Luggage Forward was $94 each way (for delivery within four to seven days). Luggage Free, which charges per pound, gave us a quote of $66 for five-day delivery of a 40-pound bag, plus a fuel charge that varies by market and a standard pickup fee of $40.

Pros: Because these companies are fairly small, you’ll get a lot of personal attention. If your itinerary changes, an agent will handle all the details of rerouting your luggage.
These companies are experienced at dealing with luggage in all shapes and sizes, including skis, surf boards, golf clubs, bicycles and monster-sized bags.

The luggage shipping services generally guarantee that your bags will arrive on time and unscathed — which is more than you can expect from an airline!

As with the standard shipping companies, using these luggage shipping companies will allow you to bypass check-in lines and baggage carousels. Instead, your luggage will be waiting for you at your hotel when you arrive.

Cons: Personalized service comes at a price. These companies will almost always be your most expensive option.

Like the standard delivery companies, these agencies typically do not deliver on weekends (though some Saturday services may be available).

You’ll need to plan ahead enough to pack early and arrange for a pickup time before you leave for your trip.

Conclusion: So what should you do? Well, every circumstance may dictact different options. If you’re traveling with your family of 4 to Disney for a week, I’d suggest shipping as much as you can ahead of time as long as your hotel will store it for you pending your arrival. (Try to time the shipment the day before your arrival time if possible). If you’re just going on a business trip and have one bag, then you may just want to take your chances to check your suitcase with the carrier. It’ll save you money and with luck will be there when you get there.

If you thought you were mad when the airlines lost your luggage before - try paying $25 for the “privilege” now! Is your wife or girlfriend travelling with you? Make that closer to $50 for the overweight bag you just got a hernia lugging out of the trunk.

Now that the airlines charge for the first bag you check in, So is there a better way? Maybe. Have you considered shipping your luggage ahead of time to your final destination? While I can’t help you get your wife/girl to pack lighter, here are some things to consider making a final decision to check bags or ship luggage.

One important note: Shipping luggage is generally not an economical option if you’re flying overseas. Most airlines still allow travelers to check two bags for free on international flights, and shipping a bag outside the United States can easily cost as much as your airfare. The information below is geared toward domestic travelers.

Who: All major airlines

Price: This varies from airline to airline. Some airlines still allow passengers to check a single bag for free. Exceptions to this rule include American, United, US Airways and Spirit, all of whom charge $15 for the first bag you wish to check. After that first bag, you’ll have to pay on almost every airline. On AirTran, it’s $10 for a second bag; on JetBlue, it’s $20; and on American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Spirit, United and US Airways, it’s $25.

In most cases these fees do not apply to elite fliers, passengers who have paid full fare on a particular route, and travelers flying internationally beyond the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. In other words, people shelling out a ton of money to begin with to fly… Always check your airline’s Web site for exact terms and conditions.

Pros: Despite the new fees, checking your bags is usually still the cheapest option for travelers bringing only one or two pieces of luggage.

Checking bags is convenient if you are a last-minute packer, since you don’t need to make advance arrangements for dropping off your bag or having it picked up.

When the system works properly, your luggage departs and arrives at the same time you do.

Cons: Even if you pay a fee to check a bag, there’s no guarantee that the airline won’t lose or trash your luggage.

You’ll have to wait in line to check your bags before your flight, and then wait again at the baggage carousel after you arrive. If you have a stopover, you might get to repeat this fun more than once!

Hauling your own bags to and from the airport can wear you out, and it’s less convenient than having a shipping service do all the work for you.

If your bags are overweight or you’re checking more than two items, you could pay dearly in airline penalties — making shipping a more economical option.

So that’s the skinny on checking your bags. Tune in tomorrow for thoughts on shipping your luggage so you can compare and see what’s best for you!