How to Keep Airlines from Losing Your Luggage

(CBS)  In recent years, airlines have been cashing in on those fees they charge beyond your basic fare. In the first quarter of this year alone, carriers have generated over $769 million dollars in ancillary fees, a majority of those from checked luggage.

Yet, CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg hasn't checked a bag in eight years, and he's obviously logged plenty of frequent flier miles.

On "The Early Show," Greenberg shared his mantra on all matters luggage: There are two types of bags -- carry-on -- and LOST.

How does Greenberg guard against airlines losing his? He ships his bags ahead of him instead of checking them. And, he says, for about $20 dollars more than what the airlines will charge him to check his bags, Greenberg's luggage goes door-to-door and is waiting for him at his destination.

All airlines post their rates for checking bags online, and in most cases, the second bag is more expensive than the first.

For domestic flights, American, Delta, United, and U.S. Airways all check the first bag for $25 and the second for $35. However, Southwest doesn't charge for the first two checked bags.

Instead of paying over $50 dollars for two checked items, a cheaper alternative would be to try ground shipping, Greenberg points out.

If you ship your luggage four days in advance with FedEx Ground Home, your total cost would be around $45. If you chose to ship your luggage three days in advance, UPS Three-Day Select and FedEx Express Saver would total around $105.

Most airlines consider sports equipment as part of your checked bag allowance, and some may consider them oversized or overweight items.

For example, Frontier charges an additional $50 for a bicycle in a protective box. Continental accepts one golf bag up to 62 linear inches, one pair of skis or one snowboard and snow boots up to 50 pounds and 62 linear inches.

Delta charges $200 dollars for a bicycle. One golf bag up to 50 pounds is subject only to checked bag fees.

Southwest accepts skis in a suitable container as a substitute for one of your free bags, but overweight charges may apply.

If you're a traveling athlete and need your sports equipment to be where you are, Luggage Forward golf bag shipping would come out to be around $109. And for cyclists, Luggage Free bicycle shipping comes to around $245.

Greenberg reassures travelers that they don't need special equipment at home to ship your bags to yourself. Greenberg ships his bags domestically through FedEx, because all that's needed on a bag is a FedEx wrapper.

Greenberg recommends using FedEx or UPS Ground, but more than 15 other companies provide the same services. The benefit of using a shipping service as opposed to checking bags is that dedicated shipping services take all the work out of your travels. When it comes to ground shipping, courier services come with pre-printed labels, guaranteed door-door services, and 24-hour customer service.

If your traveling needs are more specific, other additional services include Garde Robe, the luxury wardrobe storage and valet service for travelers. Garde Robe offers luggage packing and shipping worldwide -- plus storage, closet organization and other garment services.

Garde Robe also offers Luggage-Free Valet service for travelers who need to access their belongings from various locations. Members store clothes and other personal items with Garde Robe, and they're delivered where and when you want them. At the end of your trip, items are picked up by the company and shipped back to Garde Robe, where they are cleaned and stored.

They can courier and ship items anywhere in the world. Rates are from $350 per month solely for storage (50 garments, 10 pairs of shoes), plus fees for shipping, cleaning, special storage.

For more information and traveling tips, visit Peter Greenberg.com

[toberweger]

I've used Luggage Forward for many years and it is much better than FedEx or bringing them with you. When you go to their website www.luggageforward.com you can easily book your bag on the same trip you are taking and get high quality customer service throughout your journey. Their prices are reasonable especially if you send your bags a few days in advance and they are easy to deal with if you need to speak to a live person. (They actually pick up the phone and know what you are talking about when you ask questions!) Airlines are charging exhortative rates for shipping and they should be responsible and attentive to them however they've done nothing to improve the bag shipping part of their business. Also, I'm heading on a trip where I'll be driving and then taking a ferry, using luggage forward has made me look forward to the boat trip as I can now enjoy the view rather than sweat my way there with a bag on either side of me and one on my back!

[mrsbaggagehandler]

The idea of shipping your bags ahead is stupid in my opinion. Must be nice to have so much time on your hands that you can waste your time filling out Fed Ex paperwork and go out of your way to track down your luggage at a hotel or other destination, not to mention the extra money you are spending adds up fast. Isn't your time and energy worth at least $60? Get real. It's like the person that drives 50 miles out of the way to avoid paying a toll. Counterproductive to save a few pennies. For your information, in my opinion you would not last one week doing a baggage handler's job. Probably not even one day. You have NO idea what you are talking about. You have no idea what the job involves or the mostly uncontrollable reasons why luggage gets lost, and it ALL does NOT get lost, contrary to what you stated. Very few bags actually get lost, only delayed. Get your facts straight. By stating that, you are deceiving the public and putting a biased spin on the situation. Not good journalism, even if your job is to voice your opinion; this article goes beyond your opinion. You have misstated the facts. Suck it up, pay the fees, you can certainly afford it. If not, stay home or take the Greyhound.

[jaykay3141]

Who did this article's copy-editing?? "$200 dollars", "$50 dollars" and so on - ??? The $ sign MEANS "dollars" so $200 dollars is "two hundred dollars dollars". Gack!

No wonder Sarah Palin thinks "refudiate" is a word...

[MFN2139]

My shipper of choice is FedEx. I started using FedEx to ship my luggage when I purchased souvenirs or other items and then I just shipped the rest of my luggage ground to my destination. It is easier than carrying bags, or risk having the airlines misplace your luggage. Its a money saver. I just wish that FedEx had an office right inside the airport.

[nordic-girl]

I have been shipping boxes to my destinations for almost 20 years. I started initally because so often I flew using a "buddy pass". It made sense to me that I only had to have a carry on bag.

I continued because nothing has been lost. Ok, except for once & since it was insured received a full refund. That time I used U.S.P.S..

However, my shipping company of choice is U.P.S.. Their computer keeps track of the addresses I use. I don't have to keep a list or remember those addresses. I also use them for shipping presents to those addresses for that same reason.

It's even better now since the airlines started to charge for checked bags.

[tsigili]

That's very easy. Don't fly.

[wlhoppers]

First, I am vehemently opposed to the airlines charging for baggage. They don't feed us, their inflight service is minimal and often accompanied by surliness (Delta) and now we have to worry about them failing to do a what is and always has been an integral part of their job? What am I paying for? Certainly not service or food. I weight 135 pounds - I can't be using all that much fuel.