Baggage fees take toll on returning college students

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Students who must fly to college are finding it harder than ever to transport their stuff.Most airlines have added or raised fees on checked baggage, and shipping companies have added fuel surcharges to package deliveries.Airline baggage fees and policies vary widely and change frequently, so students should carefully check with their carriers. Most airlines impose steep charges, in addition to regular fees, on bags that exceed their size and weight limits. Rule of thumb: It's usually best to carry on as much as possible, check two regular-size bags (even with the new fees) and ship everything else.Shipping will also cost more this year because most commercial shipping companies impose fuel surcharges, which vary by month."To send something by air, it's about a 34 percent surcharge; on ground it's about 10 percent," says Mark Taylor, chief logistics officer for RedRoller.com, a subscription service that lets frequent shippers compare costs among various carriers.The cheapest way to ship books, CDs and other printed or recorded material is by Media Mail from the U.S. Postal Service, Taylor says.A good option for other small, heavy items is a flat-rate box from the postal service. They come in three sizes and can be shipped anywhere in the country, regardless of weight, for $9.80 or $12.95.For bigger packages, get rate quotes by checking Web sites.To ship a 50-pound, suitcase-size box by ground from San Francisco to Boston by FedEx, UPS, DHL and the Postal Service. The lowest prices ranged from about $42 through FedEx to $61 via UPS.You can often get a lower rate from commercial carriers if you open an account, Taylor says. It might take a day or two to get an account number, so don't wait until the last minute. Many associations offer discounts if you use certain shippers. For example, you can get a 5 percent discount at the UPS Store with a AAA card. Taylor says students will usually get the lowest rate if they can ship through a parent's company at the corporate rate, then reimburse the company.Otherwise, it's cheapest to pack your own box (it should be less than 3 cubic feet), pay online, print a shipping label and take it to the nearest drop-off locationVeteran student travelers recommend packing light and buying what you need in your college town. Also, an item can be purchased at a company's location near your home, then picked up at another branch near your college.If you're traveling with a musical instrument, check airline policy. New York University student Joshua Rowley said that when he flew east last fall, JetBlue let him carry on his guitar, but when he flew home on the same airline in May, he could not. Fortunately, he was able to leave it with his aunt, who had brought him to the airport.JetBlue spokeswoman Alison Eshelman said, "We do let customers carry on instruments if they fit within the overhead bin requirements. If they don't, they are required to either check it or, if they wish, purchase a seat."Another idea: Don't take everything back and forth. Rent a storage space near your school (possibly with friends) and leave the things you don't need at home there.Getting your stuff to college:-- If you are flying:Check your carrier's baggage policies and fees. For domestic flights booked recently, American Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways charge $15 for the first checked bag and Northwest Airlines will do so after Thursday.Most major airlines charge $25 for a second checked bag. Delta, which has no fee for the first bag, charges $50 for a second bag. A third bag will usually run you $75 to $125. Southwest Airlines charges nothing for the first two bags and $25 for a third.Most airlines charge additional fees for bags that are heavier than 50 pounds or bigger than 62 linear inches (length plus width plus height).Most airlines have cut or eliminated fees for high-status frequent fliers or first-class customers.-- If you are shipping:For books and CDs, use Media Mail from the U.S. Postal Service.For other small, heavy items, a flat-rate box from the post office can be a good deal.For bigger packages, ship from your parent's company and reimburse the company, if possible.If not, sign up for an account with major shippers online and compare rates using an account number. Pay online, print a label and take your box to the nearest drop-off location.E-mail Kathleen Pender at kpender(at)sfchronicle.com.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)