Take B.J. Nestler of Boston. He needed to get a hard-sided case filled with documents and signs delivered to Miami for a trade show last month. Rather than lug it to the airport for his flight and pay an excess-baggage fee, he called Luggage Forward, one of the new delivery companies that's based in Boston. (Chart: How baggage services compare)

Two days before his flight, Luggage Forward's agent picked up the case from Nestler's home. It was waiting at his hotel in Miami when he arrived. Costs for a round trip: about $230. "It was a new concept for me. As a business owner, it's worth my time" not to lug the case, Nestler says.

Practically unknown before 2000, companies such as Luggage Forward say times are ripe for their growth. Airports and flights are growing more crowded, making travelers more receptive to any service that will ease the hassles.

"The biggest push for our business was, unfortunately, 9/11, and it created longer lines for security and more scrutiny of bags," says Randy Teffeteller, CEO of BaggageDirect.

Further, U.S. airlines last year lost about 3.5 million bags on domestic flights, the industry's worst performance since 1990, according to the Department of Transportation.

Says Luggage Forward founder Zeke Adkins: "People are being creative about the best way to travel. I'd be surprised if all of the companies aren't experiencing some increase in business."

Prices vary depending on bags' weight, the number of days in advance bags are picked up and destination. A recent test by USA TODAY showed that shipping a 70-pound suitcase and hard-sided golf bag from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles and back could cost as much $500.

The young industry has relied heavily on high-end travelers willing to pay for convenience.

A niche market

Satish Jindel, president of SJ Consulting, which works with transportation logistics firms, estimates annual revenue for the industry is only about $6.6 million. He says the luggage-delivery industry is likely to remain a niche service as long as airlines continue to permit passengers to check two bags for free.

And Jindel cites another impediment to growth: Business travelers who work for large companies easily bypass luggage-delivery companies because their employers typically have discounted corporate accounts with FedEx, UPS or DHL.

Luggage-delivery companies fall into two categories:

•Cargo service resellers. Luggage Express, Sports Express, Luggage Forward and Luggage Free are resellers. They pick up customers' bags a few days in advance and ship to destinations using cargo carriers, such as FedEx, DHL and UPS.

Once the bags arrive, company agents retrieve them and deliver them to their destination — typically hotels, cruise ships or convention centers.

Resellers say they offer "premium services" beyond those offered by the cargo shippers: frequent alerts via e-mail and phone, less paperwork and greater care in delivering bags to a precise location.

Resellers work the same way when travelers return, with bags delivered to their house a few days after the customer's arrival.

•Remote check-in services. A few companies — BaggageDirect and Bags Inc. — rely on passenger airlines, not cargo shippers. They're more like mobile skycaps. The companies send agents to pick up customers' bags at their homes or hotels and transport them to the airport. They also issue boarding passes at the time of pickup. They operate their own luggage-screening machines at the airport.

They are cheaper than cargo resellers because the bags fly on passenger planes with the customer and don't require the service of cargo planes.

For example, Bags Inc. charges $10 a person — with two normal-size bags — to deliver them from the hotel to the airport. Passengers with heavy suitcases still have to pay airlines' extra fees.

When customers of BaggageDirect arrive at their destination, they can claim the bags at the airport or have them delivered to the hotel. Those returning home can have BaggageDirect deliver the bags to the house.

Bags Inc., which offers its service at hotels, convention centers and cruise ships in 16 cities, doesn't pick up or deliver to individual homes.

Rich, athletes, cruisers

Some of the industry's typical customers include:

•The luxury-oriented. The companies rely heavily on those "with discretionary income or who like luxury services," Eric Mautner of Luggage Free says. Couples with children as well as executives on multileg trips that include golf outings have been frequent customers.

Hawaiian Airlines offers BaggageDirect's service free for first-class customers. The number of business jet customers is also growing.

•Sports enthusiasts. Many triathletes, golfers, kayakers and skiers prefer to ship their equipment in advance, says Jon Trevelise, CEO of Sports Express, a company that started as a sports specialist and has branched out to luggage.

•Cruise passengers. Cruise passengers, who tend to pack heavily, have been early adopters.

•Conventions. Business owners are increasingly discovering the service when shipping items to trade shows, says Adkins of Luggage Forward.

Bags Inc. recently signed agreements with five convention centers, including Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, to establish check-in podiums at their sites.