It’s worth noting that while I was testing this service, I did not book any form of express shipping and expected my bag to arrive a week (or five business days) after it was picked up. Much to my surprise, 48 hours after it shipped, my trunk arrived at its destination. Luckily, this was my parents’ house, so they were happy to hold it for a few days before I arrived. I got an email that morning that my delivery was going to arrive early, and the brand let me know that in most cases, there doesn’t actually need to be someone there to pick up the bag when it arrives. My parents were both home when my bag arrived, so they were able to collect it. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that when it comes to luggage shipping, the timing isn’t as exact as checking a bag on a flight is, so if you’re staying at a hotel or vacation rental, you may have to call ahead to ensure that they’re able to store your bag for a few extra days in advance if it arrives early.
Who is luggage shipping best for?
While I used Luggage Forward on a long weekend to visit my family, luggage shipping seems best suited for long-term stays. It’s a great option for those who are moving temporarily (study abroad students, those visiting family for a few weeks at a time, or bi-coastal folks), those who are bringing more than they could possibly carry alone (destination wedding hosts), or anyone who needs big and bulky items for their trip (like tents, skis, or golf clubs). While you won’t receive your luggage immediately upon arrival at your airline gate like you would if you checked it, you can rest easy knowing that your bags will be waiting on your doorstep once you arrive at your final destination. This means no lugging heavy golf clubs or large trunks around the airport, onto buses, and through city centers. Also, if you plan on traveling with multiple bags, luggage shipping can limit stress levels on your travel day, since you’ll be able to arrive at the airport with just a personal item and not worry about getting there early to check any bags. I don’t recommend using a luggage shipping service for a short trip or a multi-leg vacation since the timing can be difficult to predict, but I would consider it for longer treks abroad.
Luggage Forward is especially good for cruise-goers, since you can schedule your pickup or drop-off directly from your cruise, making it easy to get your bags exactly where you need to go with no extra hassle. Simply check the “pick up from cruise” box, select the correct cruise line and port, and enjoy knowing that your bag will get to where it needs to be safely.
More luggage shipping options
This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s third annual Luggage Week, for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.