What is LugLess?
LugLess is an innovative luggage shipping service that provides an alternative to checking bags when you fly. Instead of lugging your suitcases to the airport and paying expensive checked baggage fees to the airline, you can ship your luggage to your destination ahead of time with LugLess. The company has partnered with major shipping carriers like FedEx and UPS to offer a convenient and cost-effective solution for travelers.
Founded in 2014 by entrepreneur Brian Altomare, LugLess aims to disrupt the way people think about traveling with luggage. The New York-based startup has been featured in major media outlets like Business Insider, Today, and Shark Tank. While they didn‘t secure a deal on the show, LugLess has continued to grow and expand its services.
How Does LugLess Work?
Using LugLess is designed to be easy and stress-free. Here‘s how it works:
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Enter your trip details on the LugLess website, including the size and weight of your luggage, pickup and dropoff locations, and travel dates.
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LugLess provides an instant quote comparing rates from multiple shipping carriers. Select the best option for your needs and budget.
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Print out the shipping labels provided and attach them to your luggage. You can drop off the bags at a carrier location or arrange for home pickup for an additional fee.
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Travel to your destination luggage-free. Your bags will be shipped to your destination and will be waiting for you when you arrive, either at your hotel/accommodation or at a local FedEx or UPS facility for pickup.
It‘s important to plan ahead, as LugLess recommends shipping your luggage at least 3-5 business days before your trip to ensure on-time delivery. The company offers various shipping speeds, from ground (2-8 business days) to overnight.
What Can You Ship with LugLess?
LugLess allows you to ship almost anything you would normally check as luggage, as long as it‘s under 100 lbs and meets the size requirements of the shipping carrier. This includes:
- Suitcases and duffel bags
- Golf clubs
- Skis and snowboards
- Musical instruments
- Sports equipment
- Moving boxes
Prohibited items include things like hazardous materials, perishable goods, ammunition, and valuables like jewelry, cash, and electronics. Be sure to review the full list of restricted items on the LugLess website before shipping.
One advantage of using LugLess is the ability to ship items that many airlines charge oversized fees for or don‘t allow at all, such as golf clubs, skis, and large boxes. LugLess offers dedicated pages on their website with specific instructions for shipping these special items.
The company provides complimentary luggage tags for tracking your bags throughout the journey. For added peace of mind, you can also purchase additional insurance coverage up to $1000 per bag. The base insurance included covers up to $100 per bag.
How Much Does LugLess Cost?
LugLess advertises rates as low as $15 per bag, which can be significantly cheaper than airline baggage fees, especially for overweight or oversized items. However, the actual cost will vary based on a number of factors, including:
- Distance: Longer distances will cost more to ship than shorter trips.
- Weight: Heavier bags will cost more, with a maximum weight of 75 lbs per bag before incurring additional fees up to $75.
- Size: Larger items like skis and golf clubs will cost more than standard suitcases.
- Pickup: Home pickup is available for an added fee, or you can save money by dropping off your bags at a FedEx or UPS location.
- Speed: Faster shipping options will cost more, with overnight shipping being the most expensive.
To give you a rough idea, here are some sample prices for shipping a 50 lb suitcase cross-country (NYC to LA) at the time of publication:
- Ground (2-8 business days): $59
- 3-Day: $79
- 2-Day: $99
- Overnight: $159
LugLess also offers discounts for shipping multiple bags, since the carriers provide bulk discounts that get passed on to the customer. For example, shipping two 50 lb bags cross-country might cost $99 total with ground shipping, instead of $59 x 2 = $118.
The best way to get an accurate quote is to enter your specific trip details on the LugLess website. Currently, the company only ships within the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.
For infrequent fliers, the cost of LugLess might not be much of a savings compared to simply checking your bags on a flight. But for frequent travelers, families with multiple bags, and those checking oversized sports equipment, the savings can really add up over time. Plus, you get the added convenience of not having to drag your suitcases around the airport and worry about the airline losing them.
What Are Customers Saying About LugLess?
LugLess generally receives positive reviews from customers online, with an impressive 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot based on over 7,400 reviews. Satisfied customers praise the company for its:
- Convenience and ease of use
- Affordable prices compared to airline baggage fees
- Responsive customer service
- On-time delivery and luggage tracking
- Ability to ship large/bulky items like golf bags
One happy customer on Trustpilot raved, "I‘ve used LugLess twice and will never go back to checking bags! So easy to book online and both times my suitcase arrived at my destination before I did. Pricing is very reasonable too."
On Yelp, LugLess has a 4 out of 5 star rating based on 85 reviews. Several customers noted that LugLess is a "life-saver" for seniors and people with mobility issues who struggle with carrying and checking heavy bags at the airport. Others mentioned using the service to ship tradeshow materials and wedding attire.
Of course, not every review is glowing. Some negative feedback mentions problems like minor damage to the exterior of suitcases, which seems to be more of an issue with the carriers than with LugLess directly. A few customers had issues with late deliveries. In most cases, LugLess seems to have excellent customer service to quickly resolve any rare hiccups.
While LugLess is a legitimate business with thousands of satisfied customers, it‘s important to read the fine print of what is and isn‘t covered by their insurance policy. Things like jewelry, cash, and certain valuables are excluded, so you‘ll want to keep those items in your carry-on or on your person.
The Bottom Line
Overall, LugLess provides a valuable service for travelers looking to avoid the hassle and expense of checking bags at the airport. While it requires some advance planning, the process is fairly intuitive and the prices are often cheaper than airline fees, especially for overweight and oversized baggage. Customer reviews suggest a high level of satisfaction with the company‘s reliability and service.
LugLess can be an especially good option for:
- Frequent fliers who take multiple trips per year
- People relocating or going on extended trips
- Families or groups traveling with several large suitcases
- Athletes and adventurers with bulky sports equipment
- Elderly travelers who struggle with transporting heavy bags
- Business travelers who need to ship booth displays and samples
If you‘re looking to travel lighter, smarter and skip baggage claim, give LugLess a look for your next trip. With some savvy packing and planning, it can save you time, money and backaches. We hope this comprehensive LugLess review has provided all the information you need to decide if the service is right for you. Safe travels!
LugLess FAQs
Q: What happens if my luggage is lost or damaged during shipping?
A: In the rare event that your bag is lost by the carrier, LugLess will open a trace to locate it. The company provides $100 of complimentary coverage for damage/loss and offers additional insurance up to $1000 per bag that can be purchased for a fee.
Q: Are there any weight or size limits for luggage?
A: LugLess can ship bags weighing up to 75 lbs and measuring up to 108 linear inches (length + width + height) without additional oversize fees. Bags weighing 76-99 lbs will incur a $75 fee.
Q: How far in advance should I arrange for shipping?
A: LugLess recommends scheduling your shipment at least 3-5 days before your flight for domestic deliveries. That allows ample time for your bags to arrive at the destination ahead of you. For last-minute or emergency situations, overnight shipping is available for an added cost.
Q: What if I need to cancel or change my shipment?
A: You can modify or cancel your shipment via the "My Orders" section on LugLess.com. As long as your bags haven‘t been picked up or dropped off yet, you‘ll receive a full refund. Cancellations made after pickup may incur a fee.
Q: Is it more cost-effective to ship or check multiple bags?
A: In most cases, LugLess is able to offer discounted bulk rates for shipping 2 or more bags, which can work out cheaper than paying individual checked bag fees to the airline. Use the online quote tool to estimate costs and compare against airline fees for your specific trip.
Q: Do I have to be present to sign for my bags upon delivery?
A: No, you do not need to be present to accept delivery. LugLess allows you to provide delivery instructions, such as leaving the bags with the hotel concierge or at a FedEx/UPS location for pickup at your convenience. If you are shipping to a residential address, your bags can be left without a signature unless you request otherwise.
