Plan ahead. Remember you won't have access to the items you ship until you arrive at your destination.
Time your shipment to arrive the day before you do. It takes between one and five business days depending on the service you choose. Faster is more expensive. Sending a 50-lb. suitcase from New York to California by UPS regular ground transport costs about $57, as of 2009. Sending it next day air bumps the fee up to about $217.
Take your clothes and personal items to your local UPS or Fed Ex store. (To find the store nearest you, go to Ups.com or Fedex.com and type in your zip code.) The store will provide packing materials and shipping forms.
Get a tracking number so you can keep tabs on your package.
Alert the hotel that your luggage will arrive before you do. Ask them to hold it for you. If your destination is a private house, make sure someone will be there to receive the package.
Call the store that shipped your package one day before you want your items picked up for return. Give them your pick-up destination and pay by credit card. Your luggage will arrive home after you do. Do not ship any items you may need during that interim period.
