Is Shipping Your Luggage Cheaper Than Checking it?

September 23, 2013

Should you use a courier or check these when flying from Toronto?

If you’re flying out of Toronto, using a courier may be cheaper to ship your luggage ahead of you, versus checking it.

An investigation by a consumer watchdog group called “Which?” revealed that you can cut costs by using a courier to send bags in advance, rather than paying to transport them on the plane.

They looked at couriers versus airlines in the UK and found that, “It would cost just under £140 to send a 30kg golf bag from London to Malaga and back with one courier, FetchMy, compared with £500 to put the bag in the hold on Ryanair flights – a saving of £360.”

That’s in the UK. How about in Canada?

Each airline has a different policy for checked bags. For example, if you’re flying economy air Canada from Toronto to Ottawa, you’re allowed:

• Your 1st bag is Free
• 2nd bag is $20 CAD/USD (per direction)
• Each additional bag is $100 CAD/USD (per direction)
• No overweight or oversize charges apply when the additional bag fee is paid.
• Max. weight per bag: 23kg (50lb)
• Max. linear dimensions per bag: 158 cm (62in)
• Overweight bag: $75 CAD/USD (per direction) for bags between 23-32kg (50-70lb)
• Oversized bag: $75 CAD/USD (per direction) for bags between 160-292cm (63-115in)
• If a bag is both overweight and oversized, the $75 fee is charged only once

That’s pretty good for the average traveler, but it can get expensive if you’re traveling with things like ski equipment or other heavy gear.

Also factor in the convenience of skipping the part where you have to claim this baggage and lug it to your destination.

“Using a courier offers the advantage of having your luggage picked up from your home and delivered to your hotel, saving the effort of carrying it around airports and waiting to check it in or leave it at bag drop,” said Which?.

“It also saves time at your destination, as there is no need to collect luggage at the baggage reclaim.”

So before you hand the airline your money, call us to see if you can save some money and hassle by shipping with a courier from Toronto.

A delivery man is giving a box to a woman in front of a van.
March 14, 2025
When you think about courier services, it’s easy to picture the person delivering your package at its final destination. But have you ever wondered who else is involved in getting that parcel or freight from Point A to Point B? At Power Link Expedite, every shipment involves a skilled and coordinated team working together to ensure that your delivery experience is seamless. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the people who bring your packages safely and efficiently to you or your customers. 1. The Customer Service Team The experience begins with our customer service team. Whether you’re scheduling a delivery, asking for a quote, or tracking a package, our friendly customer service staff are here to assist. They answer questions, provide updates, and ensure all necessary information is documented, so your delivery process can start off on the right foot. Highlight: This team ensures real-time communication and offers clarity on every step of the delivery process. 2. The Dispatch Team and Logistics Planners Once an order is placed, the Dispatch Team and the Logistics Planners step in. Using state-of-the-art technology, they plan the most efficient routes, ensure the schedule aligns with customer expectations, and optimize resources to handle every delivery with precision and efficiency. Highlight: Their expertise ensures minimal delays, even when faced with traffic, weather conditions, or unplanned hurdles. 3. The Drivers These are the faces most customers associate with Power Link Expedite. Our professional drivers are on the road, delivering packages & freight quickly and safely. Equipped with navigation tools and trained in customer interaction, they represent the final, crucial step in the delivery chain. Highlight: They aren't just driving—they're ambassadors of our brand, ensuring every interaction is friendly and professional. 4. The Technology Experts Behind the scenes, our IT team ensures that all systems, including our transportation management systems, package tracking, and route optimization software are running smoothly. They maintain the tools that allow customers to place orders online, track their deliveries in real time (when appropriate) and keep our operations connected. Highlight: Their work means customers can place orders 24/7 and always know where their packages are, giving peace of mind and transparency. 5. The Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Human Resources, and Bookkeeping Team Our accounting related staff ensure our suppliers, service providers, staff, & drivers are paid promptly. They issue invoices for the work we perform for our valued customers, pay the invoices we receive from our valued suppliers, maintain HR records, and provide HR services to our staff. Highlight: Ultimately, they make sure our bills get paid promptly, and help our staff using their broad HR expertise 6. The Management Team Every great service needs strong leadership. Our management team oversees operations to ensure every department works efficiently and collaboratively. From maintaining high customer service standards, high on time delivery standards, to fostering innovation, and exploring new growth opportunities, they set the vision and ensure every team member delivers excellence. Highlight: They focus on continuous improvement, keeping Power Link Expedite ahead of industry standards. Working Together to Deliver Excellence From the moment you place an order to the package or freight arriving at its destination, every step is carried out by a dedicated professional. At Power Link Expedite, we’re more than just a courier company—we’re a cohesive team working tirelessly to provide top-tier delivery services for your business. If you're an industry partner and interested in collaborating with a team that values accuracy, communication, and exceptional service, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today at 905-693-1143 to learn how Power Link Expedite can support your courier and logistics needs.
A lot of shipping containers are stacked on top of each other in a harbor.
By Mary McDonald February 19, 2025
How to Ship Your Freight
An aerial view of two delivery men carrying boxes out of a truck.
By Sara DeSantis January 17, 2025
When speed and reliability are non-negotiable for your deliveries, direct drive courier services offer a solution that gets the job done. More than just a transportation option, they are tailored to meet the needs of small businesses and local retailers. If you've been searching for ways to streamline your shipping or ensure sensitive materials arrive safely, here's why direct-drive couriers might be right for you.
A truck is driving over a bridge with an american flag hanging from it
May 31, 2024
Sharing this article written for our sister company Kaidex Transportation Services.   Transporting goods across national borders involves a complex web of regulations, documentation, and logistical challenges. Companies must be well-versed in the customs protocols of the countries they are exporting to or importing from, including tariffs, trade agreements, and prohibited items. Efficient logistics management also […] The post Logistics of Transporting Goods Across the Border first appeared on Power Link Expedite.
A fedex truck is parked in a parking lot
February 28, 2024
Whether you are an online seller or a regular package sender, you’ll want to get the services of the best courier out there. Companies have established their reputations over the years. There are those which are better at one thing but worse in others. No single provider can claim to be excellent across the board. […] The post FedEx vs. Canada Post | The Difference Between Couriers first appeared on Power Link Expedite.
July 19, 2023
With the ease of selling articles online, today, you may be wondering how to ship: • Oil paintings • Prints • Posters • Paintings You can find companies that will do the entire job for you, from pick-up to delivery. But the cost can be extremely high and once you have added this to the […] The post How to Ship Oil Paintings/Prints/Posters/Paintings first appeared on Power Link Expedite.
March 10, 2023
In the legal profession, every minute counts. Deadlines can mean the difference between a case going to court or being dismissed. So, why would you trust your important paperwork to anyone other than a legal document courier? We’ve come up with a list of four reasons why every law firm should use courier services. The next […] The post 4 Reasons Every Law Firm Should Use Courier Services first appeared on Power Link Expedite.
August 31, 2022
In late August 2022, a Power Link courier customer had an urgent problem to solve. A kidney transplant patient in Labrador City, Labrador needed dialysis medication. Unfortunately, due to inventory shortages, the medication was not available locally. In fact, it was only available in Mississauga, and it wouldn’t even be available in Mississauga for several […] The post Helping A Kidney Transplant Patient In Their Time Of Need first appeared on Power Link Expedite.
March 29, 2022
Power link recently helped McMaster University with a virtual employee recognition event that included a cooking class.  As part of the event, McMaster needed 88 packages containing recipe ingredients delivered to 88 employee residences in Southern Ontario.  McMaster sent us a spreadsheet containing all of the employee names, addresses, and telephone numbers.  We then uploaded […] The post Virtual Employee Recognition Event first appeared on Power Link Expedite.
A delivery man is standing in front of a van holding a clipboard.
August 5, 2021
Urgent Hand Carry Delivery – On Friday morning before the August long weekend, many Canadians were looking forward to the end of the day, when their 3 day weekend would get started.  However, that morning Power Link received a call from a customer with an urgent, life or death request:  Someone in St. John, New […] The post Urgent Hand Carry Delivery first appeared on Power Link Expedite.
Show More