The convenience of shipping comes with a cost. But under some circumstances, it may be worth it — and there may even be some savings if you factor in other elements.

Literally and metaphorically, luggage is the freight of air travel.

It’s not just fees that deter fliers from checking bags; it’s the time and hassle involved in reclaiming them as well as the risk they’ll be lost, damaged or delayed. Nearly seven in 1,000 airline passengers globally experience mishandled bags, according to SITA, an airline technology provider.

Promising to reduce travel friction, luggage-shipping services have flourished in recent years, offering unburdened transit and the delight of finding your bags waiting for you in your destination.

The convenience often comes at a cost above a checked-bag fee. So, we wondered, is it worth it?

How Shipping Works

Shippable luggage ranges from carry-on bags to large items like golf clubs, skis, bikes, trunks and cardboard boxes.

Travelers begin

Keep reading this article on The New York Times Your Money.