Sending holiday luggage abroad separately

[s2kjock]

I have seen these "send your baggage abroad" type services a few times now, and doing the sums, it could work out a bit cheaper for me by the time I take into account being able to use foot/buses/underground for transfers to/from the airport instead of taxis.

The reduction in "hassle" in terms of checking in hold bags and waiting for them at the other end etc would also be welcome.

Has anyone much experience of these? I do worry about stuff getting battered/robbed/lost etc, albeit I tend not to take anything with me worth stealing/locally replaceable that I can't take in the cabin (other than my 40 year old Swiss Army Knife )

[StupidDecisions]

I've used a company called Luggage Forward a couple of times when it made sense against airline luggage fees and our travel arrangements. It worked as advertised both times, picked up and delivered as scheduled and communication from them was good.

I think DHL did the actual shipping on both occasions but they probably use different couriers depending on where you are shipping.

Can’t speak to the risk of theft but imagine it is similar to anything else being shipped. Just had a luggage strap around ours which is probably enough to deter an opportunistic thief. The companies I looked at all offered additional insurance if required.

[s2kjock]

I had a look at the Luggage Forward site but they seem to be US (?). Surprised more use of these sorts of things is not made, but maybe in it is a "trust" issue.