I’ve already professed my love for FedEx, but this story is better yet.
In January, I flew back east for a combination business/family visit. I spent the first and last nights with family, so I again decided to test my bag-fee-aversion technique. I sent a densely-packed box in either direction, and each way cost me less than what my airline was going to charge for a checked bag fee. No lugging bags through the airport. No fighting for space in the overhead. No waiting at baggage claim.
I can’t beat the service. Someone shows up at my door, picks up my package and delivers it to the other side of the continent in five business days, with package tracking and insurance covering me at every step of the way. This is the best system ever. I generated the labels online, and even had the good sense to pre-print my return label and ship it along with me, eliminating the need to find a working printer.
I’ve never tried this with hotels, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work with equal efficiency.
FedEx, you’re wonderful, and as long as the airlines insist on these ridiculous fees, you’ll continue to have my business.