Shipping Your Luggage Ahead of Your Honeymoon or Wedding - DOUGLAS TRAVEL blog at BridesClub.com

Here’s a tidbit of news from Today Show travel editor Peter Greenberg — 3.5 million bags were mishandled January to November by U.S. airlines in 2006. No matter the reason, it happens. Luckily, I’ve never had a bag get lost. Late? Yes. Very late? Yes. Lost? No. These days, the sheer volume of bags means more are ending up where they are not supposed to be. More people are checking bags instead of carrying them on in order to get their lotions, toothpaste and other liquids on the plane. Heightened security at airports has also made the process of checking bags and clearing customs longer and harder.

Utilizing hands-free traveling services to ship your bags ahead of time means your luggage doesn’t get lost on the way to your honeymoon. It also means it frees up your hands at the airport to hang onto the important stuff - like your travel documents and camera, plus that early-morning latte. And a lot of travelers - honeymooners especially - would rather pay a fee to a private company than carry heavy bags. If you are a couple planning a destination wedding, it's a good idea to send your wedding dress and tuxedo ahead. You'll enjoy the peace of mind in knowing your wedding clothes are safely at your destination - waiting on your arrival.

Currently, several airlines charge fees, usually $50 to $80, if your checked luggage is overweight. Can standard luggage fees by the airlines for checked bags be far behind? And let’s not forget the most enticing reason of all: you can skip the wait at the luggage carousel! That perk alone is enough for me!

If you do decide to bring your luggage on the airplane with you, here are a few tips that may help:
- Put your name inside your suitcase. Tags on the outside can be torn off during loading and unloading.
- Take a picture of your bags with your cell phone. That way, if they do get lost, you’ll have a picture with you to show the lost luggage representative.
- I always tie a bright red ribbon on my suitcase so that it stands out. Lately, I’ve been noticing a lot of people have the same idea. So I’ve graduated to pom-poms and multi-colored straps to grab my attention.
- Use brightly colored luggage tags. I have these available in many colors and hand them out to my clients with their documents.
- Get the phone number for the baggage claim office at the airport. Otherwise, you’ll spend time on the airline’s phone roundabout, pushing buttons and waiting on hold.

If you do decide to ship your luggage ahead to your resort or cruise line, your travel specialist will be able to arrange this for you. I have several companies I work with and each have their own destination, and type of luggage, specialties. Prices usually depend on travel distance, luggage size and the level of service requested. On the average, expect to pay about $45 each way for a roll-on or carry-on bag, and about $90 each way for a full-sized suitcase. Hands-free traveling is also a great option for those honeymooners who are sports enthusiasts (think golf clubs, fishing equipment, skis and snowboards).

Explore your dreams...
Christine