Travel Writer, Social Entrepreneur, The Social Girl Traveler
Travel Writer, Social Entrepreneur, The Social Girl Traveler
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
What if, not only you traveled for free, but you got paid too?
Isn’t that everyone’s ‘dream’? Get paid to travel.
And no, you don’t have to become a lifestyle travel blogger either. You could be anyone! A doctor, a student, a lawyer! Literally, anyone!
Advertisement
Well, I have some great news, it’s possible. There happens to be a NEW service that’s introducing the sharing economy to the airline industry by letting travelers monetize their unused luggage space.
I’d like you to meet,Airmule. Airmule is not only changing the travel industry but the courier air industry too! Competing against the big guys like Fedex, UPS, and DHL, Airmule is hitting a huge target audience: those millennials that LOVE to travel on a budget.
Airmule was founded in 2015 but launched full operations in 2016. Disrupting the travel industry and how people are traveling, Airmule currently lets travelers who are flying to China save up to 50% on their flights by selling their unused luggage space.
Advertisement
You’re probably wondering if it’s just cheaper, easier, and maybe safer to just ship something internationally, right? Well, the reason Airmule was created is because it’s the first type of air courier company that is shipping things in a:
1. Completely Different Manner- (paying people to travel with goods)
2. Faster
3. Cheaper
But, Let me backtrack. I’ll explain how I got involved and how I traveled to China for free.
First things first, I needed to register and thenlogin to list my flight itinerary to China. Much like Uber matching riders with drivers, Airmule’s platform matches travelers with TSA certified shippers.
Once your flight itinerary finds a match with a shipment, you get paid to travel to and from California to China. You just have to carry an extra luggage. For flights to and from China you're allowed to courier up to two shipments. One shipment requires one checked baggage slot, so essentially you might be checking-in up to two shipments. Assuming you take just a carry-on. Which is exactly what I did.
Advertisement
Both shipments are under the maximum weight limit, so there won’t be any extra fees. Everything is always pre and thoroughly packed. Airmule gives each traveler a digital manifest that includes photos, weights, values and descriptions of each item being shipped, so you will always know what is inside, just in case you get asked in at immigration. Usually it’s makeup, fake jewelry, antiques, and clothes.
When you arrive to China, there is a Airmule employee waiting to take the luggage(s) off your hand as soon as you arrive to the pick-up area of the airport.
Each shipment earns you $150 per checked bag and they’ll allow each traveler to earn up to $600 round trip!
My ticket fare was only $500 and I booked my trip during the beginning of high season. Typically a flight from LAX to China (if booked with time and not during high season) ranges from $450-550 round trip. - I know, that’s nuts!
I carried two luggages there and two luggages back. Which meant that my flight was covered and I made an additional $100!
Advertisement
So you’re probably thinking: “Sounds too good to be true!”, but it is true! It’s seriously that easy. Although, as of right now Airmule only operates between California and China. Who knows when things will change and where else they might be expand to. With a concept that’s truly made shipping items easier, cheaper, and quicker internationally, the expansion is inevitable.
I am just hoping it happens soon and includes countries like Australia or New Zealand!
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.