WILL YOU USE THIS NEW LUGGAGE SERVICE?
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At the beginning of the year, United Airlines launched a new domestic luggage service that allows passengers to check their suitcases in at the airport and have them delivered directly to a hotel, office or residence at their destination.
The company delivering the luggage is called BagsVIP, and they pick up the suitcases and deliver them within a 40-mile radius of the airport at a charge of $29.95 for the first bag or $39.95 for two bags. If you want three to eight bags delivered, the fee is $49.95. Delivery is guaranteed within 4 hours of the flight’s arrival time. The delivery fee, however, does not replace the standard luggage charge per suitcase paid to the airline at check-in.
It is possible to have bags delivered up to 100 miles from the airport at an additional $1 per mile over the base rate. The delivery time for the longer distance is 6 hours from flight arrival time.
To arrange for your luggage to be delivered, you complete your order online up to an hour before your scheduled departure and receive an e-mail confirmation. After that, you check your bags at the airport and BagsVIP will identify them at your arrival airport, according to the encoded bag tags, and then deliver them as specified.
If you have a change of plans, you can cancel your order up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled arrival time without a penalty. A cancellation within 24 hours is subject to a $15 fee.
The luggage delivery service is presently available on United and United Express flights at their 36 busiest airports and will be expanded to all 190 of their domestic airports by the end of the year.
American Airlines is also offering this service on some of its flights through BagsVIP.
Although this new luggage delivery service will probably be used mostly by business travelers who need to go directly to an appointment or meeting from the airport, it could also be useful for a family with too many suitcases to fit into their rental vehicle. Of course, the return trip might be a problem, because there is no service to take the bags back to the airport.
How likely are you to use this luggage service when you travel?
Multigenerational Family Adventures in Alaska
"Flying high over the peaks of Alaska in our 6 passenger plane to Punchbowl Glacier was thrilling. Once on the ground, we boarded our dog sled for an exciting race across the glacier pulled by our team of eager, trained dogs – thinking the Iditarod! And who didn’t love playing with the 3 little future Iditarod puppies afterwards?! It was a wonderful way to enjoy Alaska on our cruise, and we all loved it. Thanks again for a wonderful vacation that was perfect for all ages in our family group." Ann & Steve