Still peeved about shelling out 15 to 25 bucks to check a bag? We’re not happy about it, either, but here’s the good/bad news: It’s still the cheapest method of getting your bag from here to there. Here’s how those charges compare with the cost of shipping one medium-size suitcase and its contents (total weight 35 pounds) one way from downtown Washington to downtown San Francisco.
POSTAL SERVICE
U.S. Postal Service, 800-275-8777, .
$36.96 via seven-day parcel post; $123.90 for overnight express service.
EXPRESS MAIL SERVICES
DHL, 800-225-5345, .
$52.40 for seven-day ground service; from $280.92 for next-day air.
FedEx, 800-463-3339, .
$44.07 for five-day ground service; from $274.75 for overnight delivery.
UPS, 800-742-5877, .
$44.06 for five-day ground service; from $189.38 for next-day air.
LUGGAGE DELIVERY SERVICES
Luggage Express, 866-744-7224, travel .; $156.41 for three-day economy service; $296.87 for overnight express delivery.
Luggage Forward, 866-416-7447, luggage .; $124 for seven-day basic service; $273 for overnight express delivery.
Luggage Free, 800-361-6871, luggagefree .; $57.75 for five-day service; from $145.25 for overnight service.
