Which uber for luggage

Recommendation: Use CarryNow when same-day point-to-point transfer of suitcases is required; typical city-center pickup 12–18 minutes, standard tariff $18 base + $4–6 per additional case within 10 miles, airport runs commonly $30–$55 depending on zone. Standard vehicle accommodates up to three medium suitcases; add-on fee $6 per extra bag. Basic protection covers up to $500 per item; optional coverage up to $2,000 costs about $4.50 per item.

Alternatives: Choose courier-style platforms like BagGo when door-to-door pickup across town matters; same-day courier rates range $25–$80 based on weight and distance, next-day drops are usually cheaper. Select shared-van shuttles during airport group transfers when price sensitivity is priority: per-item cost $12–$20, scheduled departures require reservation 24–48 hours ahead to secure space.

Practical checklist: book during off-peak windows 09:30–15:30 to reduce wait time; upload clear photos and exact dimensions so drivers bring an appropriate vehicle; select contactless handover to limit handling; verify vehicle type when moving more than three bags. Use item-level tracking and SMS ETA; set declared value equal to retail replacement cost to avoid disputes. Many platforms apply overweight fees starting at 23 kg (50 lb).

If speed matters, pick private on-demand pickup with guaranteed ETA under 20 minutes and in-app tracking; if budget matters, schedule shared shuttle 24–72 hours ahead or use economy courier slots. Always confirm maximum bag count, surcharge schedule and insurance limits before confirming payment.

Best option to move suitcases between airports and homes

Recommendation: book a door‑to‑door bag‑forwarding carrier when trip distance exceeds ~10 miles or route crosses borders; pick an on‑demand pickup crew when same‑day urban collection is required.

Scheduled door‑to‑door carriers

Use when shipping multiple checked bags or sending items between cities/countries. Typical pricing: domestic ground shipments commonly range $80–$250 per suitcase (23–30 kg) with transit 2–5 business days; international courier rates typically run $150–$600 per piece with transit 3–10 business days depending on origin/destination. Standard declared‑value protection usually covers $500–$3,000; optional higher coverage often available at extra cost. Booking window: secure lowest rates and guaranteed pickup by reserving 24–72 hours ahead. Required information at booking: exact pickup/drop addresses, bag count, approximate weight and dimensions, preferred pickup date/time, phone contact for recipient.

On‑demand pickup crews and local movers

Use when a same‑day collection inside the city is needed or when items are oversized. Price model: base fee plus hourly rate; expect a typical base of $60–$120 (covers two movers + van) and additional hours at $40–$80 each. Ideal radius: up to ~20 miles urban; for longer distances compare to scheduled carrier rates. Confirm vehicle capacity (cargo volume in ft³ or m³), presence of moving blankets, straps and liability policy (minimum coverage and excess). Always photograph bags at pickup, obtain a signed receipt, and get an ETA text or app tracking link.

Quick selection guide: choose a scheduled carrier when sending multiple checked pieces or when transit time of 2+ days is acceptable; choose an on‑demand crew when pickup must happen same day, when items are oversized, or when curb‑to‑curb transfer suffices. Before booking compare door‑to‑door quote, transit window, insurance limit and any additional fees (fuel surcharges, residential pickup, stairs).

X vs XL: checked bags & carry-ons capacity

Choose X if you transport up to 2 checked suitcases (typical 27–29″ rollers) plus 1–2 carry-ons; trunk volume usually 13–15 cu ft. Common X models: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima. Seating 4 reduces cargo to roughly one medium checked case plus one small roller stowed inside when all seats are occupied.

Choose XL when carrying 3–5 checked suitcases (28–30″) and 2–4 carry-ons; cargo volume with all rows up averages 20–30 cu ft and can expand to 40–80 cu ft with rear rows folded. Common XL models: Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer. With six passengers aboard, practical capacity typically drops to 1 checked plus 1 carry-on unless rear seats are folded or a rooftop option is used.

Practical packing notes: stack checked cases on their sides to maximize trunk depth, use soft-sided bags to squeeze extra items into gaps, and place carry-ons in the cabin when possible to free trunk space. Confirm trunk access before ride confirmation and load bulky pieces prior to pickup if driver allows.

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When to choose Premium SUV or Black Sedan: oversized and fragile items

Select a Premium SUV when items exceed a sedan trunk’s usable volume (roughly >16 cu ft), measure more than 28 inches along any side, weigh above 40 lb, or require upright placement; select a Black Sedan when items fit within a typical trunk (12–16 cu ft), weigh under 30–35 lb, and benefit from a quieter, climate-controlled cabin.

Practical capacity: midsize sedan trunks average 12–15 cu ft, accommodating two large checked suitcases (26–30 in) plus one carry-on; full-size sedans reach 16–18 cu ft, handling three large cases. Compact crossovers and midsize SUVs with rear seats up typically offer 25–40 cu ft; folding seats expand cargo to 60–80+ cu ft, permitting roughly 6–10 large cases depending on model and seat configuration.

Fragile handling: if weight is under 35–40 lb and dimensions allow, place boxes on the rear seat or floorboard, secure with a seat belt and add two layers of padding (bubble wrap plus moving blanket) to absorb lateral motion. Bulky fragile pieces that cannot sit upright inside a sedan require a Premium SUV with a flat cargo area; pad the floor, nest items against the seatbacks, and use straps or bungee cords to limit shifting during turns and braking.

Driver coordination: measure and weigh items before booking, then send a concise message via the app stating dimensions, weight, and whether seats must fold. Expect some drivers to decline heavy or awkward loads; if declined, rebook a larger option. Offer a tip when drivers assist with loading and unloading to acknowledge extra effort.

Risk and protection: transport of high-value fragile goods is lower risk inside the passenger cabin; label boxes FRAGILE and avoid placement on the rear parcel shelf where braking forces concentrate. App damage policies vary; if declared value exceeds $500, evaluate a dedicated moving service or courier that provides declared-value insurance and written proof of coverage.

Quick checklist: measure length × width × height; weigh item; if volume >16 cu ft or any side >28 in or weight >40 lb, book a Premium SUV; if item fits 12–16 cu ft and weight <35 lb, book a Black Sedan; pad items, secure with belts or straps, message the driver before pickup, and tip when assistance is provided.

How to request extra trunk space, schedule a pickup, and add driver notes

Request extra trunk space via the app’s trip-edit screen, schedule airport pickups at least 24 hours ahead, and include concise driver notes with bag counts and largest dimensions.

Open the app, enter pickup and drop-off, tap “Trip details” or “Options”, choose “Extra space” or select a larger vehicle class, then enter bag count and largest dimensions in the notes field (cm or in).

Add 15–30 minutes to the pickup window when requesting extra room during peak periods (weekday mornings 07:00–09:00, evenings 16:30–19:00) and holiday travel. Schedule rides 24 hours ahead to secure airport pick-ups; use 48–72 hours lead time when planning early-morning departures during major holidays.

If the app lacks an “extra space” selector, select a larger vehicle class or contact the assigned driver via in-app message immediately: state bag count, largest item dimensions, and whether you need loading assistance.

Include in driver notes: number of suitcases; individual dimensions (L×W×H) in cm or inches; weight per item if over 23 kg / 50 lb; fragile or high-value items; whether items must remain in cabin rather than trunk; elevator access yes/no; stairs count; exact curb or door number; gate codes or parking restrictions; willingness to tip to assist with loading.

Sample short notes to paste: “3 large suitcases (28×20×12 in), 2 backpacks; fragile items in suitcase 1; Terminal 3 curbside; elevator available; can tip cash.” “2 skis (170 cm) + 1 duffel; no elevator; narrow stairs; need driver assist with 25 kg bag.” “Pickup at Main St door B; parking permitted; max trunk opening height 45 cm; please confirm vehicle size after assignment.”

Send a quick follow-up message once a driver is assigned: “I have X bags; largest is Y×Z×W; meeting point [exact]; I will be ready at pickup time.” If the driver reports insufficient space, cancel and rebook with a larger vehicle class.

When possible, attach one photo of stacked items inside an open trunk in the app chat showing dimensions and fragile packing; a single image plus measurements prevents disputes and speeds on-site decisions.

Calculating ride cost changes and surge impact when transporting heavy or multiple bags

Select a larger-capacity vehicle if total baggage weight exceeds ~70 kg or when large suitcases count ≥ 3; that choice usually prevents unexpected driver refusals and additional on-the-spot charges.

• Basic fare formula: subtotal = base_fare + (distance_miles × rate_per_mile) + (time_minutes × rate_per_minute).
• Final fare = (subtotal × vehicle_size_multiplier × surge_multiplier) + booking_fee + tolls + waiting_charges.
• Typical multipliers: compact → 1.0×, XL/van → 1.5–1.9×, SUV/premium → 2.0–3.0×. Surge range commonly 1.2×–3.0× during peak demand.

Example 1 – 10 miles, 20 min, base numbers: base $2.50, $1.50/mi, $0.25/min, booking $1.50, no tolls, no surge.

• subtotal = 2.50 + (10 × 1.50) + (20 × 0.25) = 2.50 + 15.00 + 5.00 = $22.50
• Compact total = 22.50 × 1.0 + 1.50 = $24.00

Example 2 – same trip, passenger needs XL due to multiple suitcases and a 1.5× surge.

• Apply vehicle multiplier and surge multiplicatively to subtotal: adjusted = 22.50 × 1.6 (XL) × 1.5 (surge) = 54.00
• Final total = 54.00 + 1.50 booking = $55.50
• Net increase vs compact: 55.50 − 24.00 = $31.50 (≈131% higher)

Example 3 – driver charges extra waiting time due to heavy trunks needing 8 additional minutes; waiting rate $0.50/min.

• Waiting = 8 × 0.50 = $4.00; add to final total: 55.50 + 4.00 = $59.50

• If the platform applies surge only to variable components (base + distance + time) while booking_fee and tolls remain fixed, compute: (subtotal × vehicle_multiplier × surge) + booking_fee + tolls.
• Always check the app’s fare breakdown immediately after estimating; that reveals whether multipliers affect the subtotal only or include fixed fees.

Operational tips with numeric focus:

1. Estimate bulk: each large checked suitcase ~25–30 kg and ~0.08–0.12 m³. Three such pieces usually require XL or small van.
2. If expected loading adds >5 minutes, add waiting estimate = minutes × local_wait_rate to pre-booked cost projection.
3. During predicted peak hours (weekday mornings 7–9, evenings 17–19, major event end-times), plan for surge ≥1.5×; shift pickup by 30–60 minutes to often reduce multiplier to ~1.0–1.2×.
4. When tolls apply, include known toll amounts; tolls are typically added after multipliers and not multiplied again.
5. To compare options quickly: compute compact_total and large_vehicle_total side-by-side using same distance/time values, then apply expected surge scenario to both to determine cheapest reliable option.

Safe loading, securing bags, tipping drivers

Always load heavy suitcases into the trunk first, wheels toward the rear, then place softer carry-ons on top; secure with straps or non-slip mats to prevent shifting.

Do not lift items heavier than 23 kg (50 lb) unassisted; request driver help prior to loading; if the driver assists with lifting, offer a cash tip of US$3–7 immediately.

Place fragile pieces on the vehicle floor behind the front seats, secured with a seat belt, cargo net, or padded straps; wrap glassware and electronics in towels or clothing to absorb shock.

Distribute weight evenly low and centered to keep handling predictable; avoid piling heavy pieces against the rear seatback that could shift and obstruct the driver’s rear view.

Use available anchor points inside the trunk or cargo area; attach bungee cords or ratchet straps with rubber-coated hooks to protect paint and trim; never rely solely on loose bags in a hatchback during hard braking.

If an item must protrude from an open trunk, secure it with bright flagging and notify the driver; verify local traffic rules about overhang prior to departure.

Photograph each piece before loading and again after arrival; if damage occurs, submit images and trip details via the app immediately within the platform’s reporting window and keep repair estimates or receipts.

Tip guidelines: baseline US amounts – US$1–3 when a driver hands a single bag, US$3–7 when heavier suitcases or multiple items need handling, and 10–20% of the fare when substantial assistance is provided; round up small fares to compensate extra effort.

Use in-app tipping within 24 hours to link the gratuity to the trip record; cash is acceptable when immediate appreciation is intended, handed directly to the driver.

Do not place items on active airbag zones or block sensors; keep heavy cases on the floor behind the rear seat or inside trunk space only; if unsure, ask the driver to confirm a safe placement.

Musical instruments, antiques, artwork: book a vehicle with confirmed extra cargo capacity and obtain explicit driver consent prior to pick-up; use rigid cases, internal padding, and external straps to prevent sliding.

Keep a compact protective cover such as best high quality custom umbrellas to shield fabric and instruments during wet loading; a plastic bag plus towels also work.

If a driver declines assistance due to safety concerns, respect the decision and arrange an alternative vehicle or professional movers; avoid manual handling beyond your personal safe lifting capacity.