Q. Who is Couriertravel.org and why should I join?

A. Couriertravel.org is the finest resource for freelance air couriers and cost sensitive travelers. We are an independent organization that provides routes, scheduling, unbiased advice and information on both courier and standby flights. We offer an on-line courier flight/standby flight search engine, which allows you to see all available courier flights. We work directly with our partners to include the latest updates and last minute special opportunities. In short, we match people who want to take courier flights with the courier companies who need couriers. We are neither travel agents nor a courier company; we are a member driven organization dedicated to providing you the best non-published fares on the Internet.
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Q. What are courier flights?

A. Courier flights are a discounted method of traveling internationally. As an on board courier, you are flying for a major shipping broker that expedites time sensitive freight for businesses such as DHL, FedEx and other corporations. They are using your checked baggage space to ship their freight for overnight delivery. A courier company contracts with a major airline to occupy one seat per plane on a regular schedule for their shipping needs. They then offer a split fare arrangement: you pay them around 50% or less of what they paid, you get the seat and the carry on luggage allowance. In turn, they get all or some of your check-in luggage allowance. Each courier run has a different check-in baggage allowance.
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Q. What are standby flights?

A. Standby flights are extremely discounted non-published fares for those travelers willing to fly standby. Standby tickets are only sold on flights where over 50 seats are still available 2 weeks before departure. Our members have been able to board the originally booked flight well over 90% of the time. In the rare case your flight is overbooked, you will get on the following available flight.
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Q. Why are couriers needed?

A. International regulations require that “passenger shipments be accompanied by a passenger.” It is also a customs regulation that passenger shipments can only gain immediate customs clearance if the passenger is present; otherwise it will languish in customs waiting for an agent to clear it. Passenger baggage is off-loaded first and freight generally is sent to a warehouse where it can take days to clear customs. Shipments normally consist of business cargo e.g. documents requiring signatures or computer software/hardware. The on board courier simply delivers the manifest to the courier company representative upon arrival at the destination. A manifest is the official document that lists the inventory of the shipment and relieves you of any responsibility for the shipment.
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Q. Who can fly as a courier?

A. Our members include a wide variety of people: from students to retirees, from first time travelers to experienced jet setters. Virtually anyone over the age of 18, who is willing to exchange a small amount of effort for a tremendous discount, can fly as a courier. You do not need to be a United States citizen to fly as a courier; you need only a valid passport.
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Q. Why haven't I heard of courier flights?

A. People first turn to their most trusted source of travel advice for information, travel agents. Travel agents are paid on commission, thus may give biased advice. When flying as a courier no one receives a commission; hence it is not in the travel agents best interest to inform you about these flights. Secondly, courier companies make their money from shipping packages not being travel agents, thus their primary marketing outlet is our association insuring that our members always get the best fares.
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Q. When can I book a flight?

A. Flights are usually released 2 months in advance but are dependent on when contracts are drawn with an airline. Members are kept abreast of the best time frame in which to book a flight. When you decide on what days to travel, the courier flight can be booked anywhere between 1 day and 2 months prior to departure depending on availability and advanced booking. All flights are round trip unless otherwise noted by the specific provider.
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Q. How much do courier flights cost?

A. Fares fluctuate with the low and high peak seasons, but are always discounted off the regular fare. Check the Flight Finder, which lists fare information, departure dates, length of stay, and the name of the airline which you will be flying on. When you become a member our database will show you whom to contact to book the flight. Often you can earn the frequent flyer miles for the flight if you are flying with an airline that is a member of your frequent flyer program.
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Q. How often are couriers needed? Can I travel with a companion?

A. Courier companies generally send one courier per destination per day. Several courier companies fly daily to more popular destinations. Thus it has occurred that two people flying for different companies have flown on the same flight. This is the exception rather than the rule. It is more realistic that you will fly on the same day on different flights, or on consecutive days. If being on the same flight is more important than the 50% discount, you can always have one person flying as a courier and the other can book through one of the wholesale specialist we work with. Standby flights are also an excellent resource for traveling with a companion and have no restrictions.
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Q. How do I know I'm not escorting illegal materials?

A. The air courier industry has been thriving for the past 30 years. It is a well-respected industry; air courier companies are established firms that deal with legitimate corporate air cargo needs. They expect their shipment to be examined and formalized by the airport customs officials. For both the courier company's and the courier's protection, the courier is not allowed to touch the shipment. When the courier arrives at customs, the courier is directed to or met by the waiting Courier Company Representative. The courier company Representative then clears their shipment through customs. You are never personally liable for the cargo.

Mike Fleming, a spokesman for the US Customs Service, adds that contraband is not a problem. "I'm not aware of any instances of seizures involving flying as couriers for a legitimate freight company," Says: Fleming. Escape Magazine.
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Q. What do I say when asked security questions at check-in?

A. When you check-in at your departure airport, the Courier Company Representative will be present to greet you. The Courier Company representative will have cleared all of their shipment through security and customs prior to your receiving your boarding pass, relieving you of any responsibility for the shipment. Your personal luggage will be screened like all passenger baggage. When you are asked "Has this luggage been out of your possession since it was packed?” you answer no for your personal luggage/carry-on and hand them your manifest.
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Q. What are last minute specials?

A. Courier flight dates and prices are usually released to us every 2 months. If a flight is not sold within a certain time frame, the rate is drastically reduced; it is then called a Last Minute Special (LMS). Courier companies reduce the fare just to have someone sitting in the seat (typically 60-80% off the original price). As an added note, once you have flown with these courier companies several times you are eligible for their standby list, (ability to leave at a moments notice). If an On Board Courier cannot make a scheduled courier run, the courier company must find a replacement to insure deliveries and they will frequently turn to their standby list. These flights are often free depending on the companies need.
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