Deal or no deal? Luggage Free offers $50 flat-fee shipping service

by Melanie Nayer on

You know the drill: Pack your suitcase, guess its weight, pay the fees and hope it arrives at your destination. If your weight-guessing talents have failed and you end up paying extra for the additional pounds you packed, Luggage Free has a deal for you: Keep your bag under 50 pounds and you’ll pay only $50 to ship your luggage to your next U.S. destination.

The Luggage Free Economy program promises a three business day, door-to-door delivery for luggage, skis, and golf clubs within the 48 contiguous U.S. states at a flat rate of $50 for bags under 50 pounds. How’s this compare to airlines? Depends on how many bags you’re checking.

Airlines have recently upped their checked bags fees by $5-$25, depending on where you’re traveling. US Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Continental raised their fees earlier this year, causing travelers to rethink what goes in their carry-on. For example, US Airways charges $25 for the first bag checked and $35 for a second bag, but both bags must weigh less than 70 pounds. So how do you save money with Luggage Free? If you have a lot of bags to check, this service might be a better deal since airlines charge $100 to check the third bag.

Here’s how it works: book online and select a pickup or drop-off time prior to your departure. An email confirmation is sent when your luggage arrives at its destination. Luggage Free guarantees all luggage will arrive on time – the same can’t always be said for the airlines. However, with Luggage Free and other shipping providers you have to plan ahead. If you want your luggage to arrive the same day you do, you’ll have to ship it at least three days in advance.

Is it is a deal? Could be, if you have a lot of luggage and you can be without the suitcase for at three days.

If the shower cap fits, use it (for your shoes) – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Unless you’re my grandmother (Hi, Grandma!!), you probably don’t use the shower cap provided at some hotels for anything whatsoever. But, that little plastic cap with the elastic ring can be very useful when packing your bags.

Shoes are often cumbersome and tend to get in the way when trying to maximize your luggage. Take the shower cap from your hotel room (or one you’ve previously stolen from a hotel room) and open it up. Put your shoes inside it and the elastic will hold them together, making them much easier to handle and pack/unpack.

Delta Airlines passengers “fuming” over jet fuel soaked luggage

by Scott Carmichael on

When it comes to luggage, airlines seem to be involved in some kind of secret contest to see who can cause the most damage. In the past, airlines have left luggage out in the rain for days, set bags on fire and one airline saw 100’s of bags end up in a dumpster behind a pet store.

As of last Sunday, there appears to be a new winner in the race for baggage mistreatment – Delta Airlines. When passengers returning home from Puerto Rico retrieved their bags, they discovered that the bags were drenched in jet fuel.

Delta showed it really cares by sending the passengers home with their flammable luggage and a complaint form, telling them to wash everything, then to submit a reimbursement form within 24 hours.

Passengers think the jet fuel contamination happened at the Puerto Rico airport, and are obviously very worried that their bags sat in the luggage hold giving off harmful fumes.

If Delta did indeed load the bags knowing that they were covered in jet fuel, I’m sure someone at the FAA will want to have a word with them – a baggage hold filled with fuel fumes could have created a huge disaster. Then again, knowing how well airlines treat their passengers, I wouldn’t be surprised if these passengers receive a bill for the jet fuel.

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Buying a $27,100 suitcase, or not

by Amy Chen on

Would you buy a $27,100 suitcase? Apparently neither would CNN’s Bob Greene.

In his hilarious column, Greene spots the offending suitcase on the cover of a magazine. He thinks it’s a joke but is stunned when he goes to the source to learn more. The culprit of this frivolity? Hèrmes, which also makes diamond-encrusted luggage for a mere $200,000. In this case, the Hector bag is part of the men’s line for only $27,100.

The best part is when Greene asks a store clerk if the bag ever gets damaged in transit. The clerk responds, “Some people buy metal suitcases in which to enclose their suitcases. They buy suitcases for their suitcases.”

When it comes to baggage handlers, I’m thinking maybe all suitcases are created equal–unless you’re on a private jet.

Flea Market Finds: Brooklyn

by Amy Chen on

Finding unique souvenirs these days can be tough. Instead of picking up yet another mug, try scoping out a local flea market.

In New York, for example, the Brooklyn Flea Market has moved indoors for the winter so you can take your time sifting through another person’s junk in search of your treasure.

I recently spent a rainy Sunday afternoon at the old Williamsburgh Savings Bank combing through the racks and tables. Presentation is everything–items that would otherwise look drab seemed more appealing when neatly organized and labeled. Among the vintage jewelry and clothing, I spotted some retro travel bags ($15), including this blue tote from the posh Fontainebleau resort in Miami.

Days later, I’m kicking myself for not buying that bag. I contacted the hotel to see if they might sell any similar totes. A spokesperson tells me that while the hotel only has newer versions right now, they’re looking into bringing back the design of this bag, estimated to date back to the 1950s. Until then, I guess I’ll have to look on eBay.

Details: One Hanson Place at Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays now through March 28.

Tip: After browsing in the main hall, head downstairs into the vault to sample the food: Asia Dogs sells beef, chicken, or veggie hot dogs with unexpected toppings like kimchi, Japanese curry, or barbecue pork belly (from $4).

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