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IN BRIEF
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Traveling by plane has become a real financial headache for those wishing to take more than just a handbag. With the increasing baggage fees imposed by airlines, many travelers are looking for alternatives to reduce their expenses. Among these, sending luggage via specialized delivery services appears as an appealing and often more economical solution, particularly for certain destinations or travel formats. This article explores in detail the profitability of these alternatives, their advantages, limitations, and the risks to consider.
The Constantly Rising Airline Baggage Fees
In recent years, the cost of air travel has skyrocketed when it comes to transporting a suitcase. Low-cost airlines, such as Transavia, now charge even for a simple cabin bag. From now on, only a small bag that can fit under the seat is included in the base fare. The exact dimensions (for example, 45 x 36 x 20 cm for easyJet) drastically reduce what can be taken for free.
The charge for an additional cabin bag can vary between €7.99 to €59 depending on the airline, destination, and booking period. On some airlines, even a slight excess or failure to meet the dimensions incurs a penalty that can reach €60. For long-haul flights or with regular carriers like Air France, checked luggage often becomes an expensive extra, potentially increasing the bill by more than a hundred euros.
Concrete examples illustrate these costs: a round trip Paris–Tokyo with a checked suitcase can cost €1,461, compared to €1,337.61 without a large suitcase. The potential savings when selecting a smaller bag often remain lower than what is allowed by alternative shipping solutions.
Bypassing Shipping Platforms: A Trendy Trick
In light of this pricing context, some practices are emerging on social media. Travelers are using services designed for online sales, like Vinted, to send their own suitcases to themselves, passing through a friend who “sells” them. By using delivery to a pick-up point near their place of stay, they significantly reduce the overall bill compared to the fees imposed by airlines. This method, although appealing, is prohibited by the concerned platforms as it diverts their original purpose and violates their terms of service.
For perfectly legal alternatives, it is advisable to turn to major transportation platforms or shipping comparison services like Upela, which aggregates offers from Chronopost, UPS, or DHL.
The Real Cost of Sending Luggage via Carriers
Sending luggage via carriers (FedEx, Mondial Relay, UPS…) often promises attractive rates, especially for short or medium-distance routes, or within the European Union. For instance, using Mondial Relay, a package weighing 10 to 30 kg shipped in France or to the EU costs between €14.40 and €32.40, with ease of use and no customs formalities.
For destinations outside the EU or on long-haul flights, the price advantage dissipates quickly. Shipping a 12 kg cabin suitcase to Japan via UPS climbs to about €140, excluding insurance or any potential additional taxes upon arrival.
At FedEx, a 20 kg cabin suitcase costs at least fifty euros (excluding insurance), with administrative procedures to consider once the destination is outside European territory, such as a customs declaration detailing the contents of the bag.
Comparison: When is Shipping More Economical?
The choice between airline fees or shipping depends on the weight of the luggage, the destination, and the method of shipping. On low-cost flights in Europe, the interest of shipping one’s suitcase via Mondial Relay is often real: the service cost can be half the price of the fees charged by airlines for an additional cabin bag.
Conversely, for international or long-haul flights, the benefits tend to diminish, especially since the speed and security of transport are not 100% guaranteed. The risk of loss or delay during transit remains to be considered.
Some comparison tools, such as Upela, allow for rapid estimation of the shipping cost based on weight, volume of the package, and destination, providing immediate visibility on potential savings.
Risks and Precautions to Take When Sending Luggage
While the potential savings are undeniable, shipping one’s luggage is not without risks. Loss, theft, or damage to the package are possible, and recourse with carriers can sometimes be complex and under-compensated depending on the insurance taken out.
Experts in the airline sector emphasize the importance of keeping personal belongings close at hand, especially in the case of lost or delayed luggage. In fact, in the event of luggage being lost for more than 21 days, legislation provides for compensation of up to €1,570 per passenger, to be claimed directly from the airline.
Moreover, some specialists advise, for two travelers on a low-cost airline, to prefer a shared checked suitcase rather than two paid cabin bags in order to optimize overall spending and limit the risks of additional fees at boarding.
The Evolution of Practices and the Democratization of New Solutions
The rise in airfares is pushing more and more vacationers to look for original and economical solutions, even if it means diverting the usage of online platforms like Vinted. But regulations are vigilant, and these practices hide their own traps.
To properly prepare for upcoming vacations, it is becoming essential to compare different transport solutions and to organize in advance to reduce the final bill, just like during the start of the All Saints’ Day holidays when demand surges in certain accommodations and where logistical anticipation is key.
In the end, while sending suitcases via carriers can be an interesting economic alternative for certain distances or periods, it is important to always weigh the expected benefits against the transport risks, the applicable regulations, and the nature of one’s luggage.
