You probably assume that checking your luggage is the cheaper option, even though you’re stuck paying the airline about $25 for the first bag (each way) and $35 for the second, not to mention additional fees for heavy or large items. And sometimes it is. But not always, says Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler (Smart Travel Press, $20, amazon.com). So before you jet off, it’s worth doing the math. If your baggage is unusually heavy or bulky, shipping may be a better deal—provided that you don’t send your Samsonite overnight or by two-day mail, says Jami Counter, a senior director of Seatguru.com, a travel-resource site. Case in point: UPS can ship a 75-pound box from New York City to Orlando, Florida, for $57. Checking an item that heavy would probably cost between $100 and $175—one way. Get quotes from the two options that you have for shipping: a standard delivery or courier service, such as FedEx or DHL, or a specialty luggage handler—particularly useful for bulky items, like skis—such as Sports Express (sportsexpress.com).

You should also consider shipping your baggage if you want to hit the ground running at your destination (which means skipping the luggage carousel), or if you want to be assured that those bags will be waiting for you when you arrive, says Peter Greenberg, a travel editor for CBS News. “Shipping is an especially good idea if you have a connecting flight, which increases the risk that your bags will be misplaced,” says Greenberg. And delivery services offer far more bells and whistles than air carriers, says Counter, such as superior insurance, better tracking, and, best of all, picking up your luggage at your home. No schlepping!

Article by Vera Gibbons, Real Simple

Here’s the everlasting question that’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue: What’s the deal with shipping wine?

It’s not that easy (or inexpensive), you have to meet these conditions first:

• the wine was purchased while the purchaser was physically present at the winery
• the purchaser of the wine provided the winery verification of legal age
• the wine is for personal use only and not for resale
• the purchaser can lawfully and personally transport wine into the destination state
• the purchaser is the consignee

How do I pack three bottles of wine? Packing wine requires packaging suitable for numerous low intensity shocks, compressions and vibrations from any direction.  There are three types of containers typically used to ship wine: folded corrugated tray, molded fiber tray or an expanded polystyrene foam mold.  A winery or specialty shop will often offer to ship wine for you, but even at a discounted shipping rate, the costs can add up (especially over time).

Estimated Shipping Rates: To ship 3 bottles of wine (weighing approximately 5lbs) I have done a cost comparison between FedEx and UPS.  Please keep in mind that these are estimated and rates will vary for different zones.  These costs also do not include the cost associated with purchasing the appropriate packaging materials.

FedEx

1. Priority Overnight $94.39
2. Next Day Air $71.00
3. 2nd Day Air $43.54
4. Ground $16.07

UPS

1. Priority Overnight $85.00
2. Next Day Air $60.00
3. 2nd Day Air $30.00
4. Ground $15.00

As many already are aware that if you“are you planning to return to New York from California with your wines after a nice summer vacation, you can’t do that in the cabin anymore,” said an airline industry consultant, based in Port Washington, N.Y. “Instead, travelers will have to place bottles in checked luggage, a practice that is currently still permitted.  The only issue is whether you feel it’s sufficiently well protected – that it’s not going to break.”

Is there a way I can still carry the wine with me? Yes!  You’re in luck, there is the perfect solution on the market that not only will protect your bottles from breaking or leaking in your checked luggage, but over time it will save you money and the environment.    Pack wine, spirits and culinary oils in your checked luggage with the BottleWise Duo or the BottleWise Bot’lPak. In just one use you will recover all your cost for shipping Priority or Next Day Air with UPS or FedEx.  Not only that but other benefits include:

1. One time investment and no recurring charges (BottleWise offers a lifetime warranty!)
2. Your wine or spirits travel with you, safe and secure
3. No additional shipping and handling charges
4. No waste to the environment of collected boxes and polystyrene
5. And  most of all – Peace of Mind!

Learn more about the  BottleWise Duo.

BottleWise is committed to manufacturing high-quality bags that make life easier for the discriminating culinary traveler and is founded by Amy Dias (adias@bottlewise.com).

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