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Traveling as an air courier is a way to get cheap air-fare by exchanging some of your time at your intended destination, for extremely cheap (sometimes free) air-fare. You generally have to organize ahead of time, but sometimes last-minute deals will be available. Booking through an agency is generally worth the small fee of joining the agency, as they are given most access to the flights, they may be able to offer flights that you could not find as a freelance courier.

[edit] How it works

Courier companies are well paid for delivering things quickly. Often time is very important, for example with some business documents or spare parts for an urgent repair. On some routes, the larger companies have their own planes, but for other routes and smaller firms, there is a problem. If they send things airfreight, it may take days to get through unloading and customs. The only way to get it through faster is to send it as a passenger's checked luggage.

Courier companies routinely book one seat each way every day on flights between two major business centers, for example New York and Hong Kong. Of course the airlines give them a good price. You can occupy that seat at a discount provided you take their stuff. A company representative will meet you at the airport with your ticket, the shipment (which is checked in for you) and the shipping documents (which you carry), and another will meet you at the other end to take delivery. Sometimes someone will also meet you in the middle; e.g. on a Sidney-London courier flight, you stop in Tokyo where you drop off the Sydney-Tokyo stuff and pick up Tokyo-London.

There are some restrictions:

• Your luggage will be limited. Some companies allow you one checked bag. With most, you go with carry-on luggage only.
• You need to book well in advance for popular routes or seasons.
• You pay the fare, or at least a deposit, at time of booking.
• Most courier tickets are for a round trip, usually with a stay between 7 and 30 days.
• If you cancel close to flight time, do not expect a refund.
• Visas are your responsibility.
• They have booked a daily flight with one airline, months in advance. You cannot change anything — airline, route or even flight.
• You may or may not be able to get airmiles for the trip.
• If you want to travel with a friend, and both get courier fares, then he or she will need to travel on a different day or for a different company.

[edit] Cost

Discounts are often substantial, 20% and up. Once the company knows you as a regular and reliable courier, deals may get even better. If someone cancels and they are stuck, they may offer a last-minute free flight.

[edit] Courier companies

[edit] Stay safe

You need to be very careful about the legitimacy of the jobs you take. The last thing you want is to be caught transporting contraband (or worse) on a plane. A good way to avoid this is by using an agent, usually a representative of the service you are working for will take you through customs and clear the contents.

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