On  a recent trip to San Francisco, I found myself faced with a bit of a scheduling and logistics dilemma. My flight to San Francisco arrived in the morning, but I wasn’t meeting up with my friend until the evening and therefore had a few hours to wander and explore the city. The problem was I didn’t want to wander and explore the city with my luggage in tow.

Even with just an overnight bag and a backpack, it was more than I wanted to carry. I mean, have you seen those San Francisco hills??

Now I could have left my luggage at the airport in San Francisco, but I was meeting my friend that evening at the off-site rental car lot. Leaving my bags in the terminal would have meant an unnecessary trip back to the airport, thus cutting into my exploring, eating and shopping time on a beautifully sunny San Francisco day.

The iconic San Francisco street cars

Plan B was to meet my friend at her hotel and leave my bags with hers, but unfortunately my flight didn’t get in early enough to meet her before she had to leave for her business meetings. I knew there had to be another option.

That’s when my friend asked if I had heard of BAGBNB.  For a woman who likes to think she is in the know on most travel hacks, it pained me to admit that I had not.  But I was leaving in the morning and didn’t have any other solution so I decided to look into it.

So What Is BAGBNB?

Well, it is not hard to guess that any business with a name similar to AirBnB deals with the sharing economy.  This business provides locations (called Angels) in many major cities around the world where a traveler can pay to have their bags securely stowed for a day.

At the time of publication, BAGBNB has over 500 listed locations for bag storage  in cities such as San Francisco, New York, Barcelona, London, Rio de Janeiro, Bangkok and many more.  With all of these locations, how had I never heard of this company before??

How Do You Use BAGBNB?

I first found BAGBNB via their website, but later found out you can also download an app to your smart phone. From either the website or the app, you can create an account then select the city where you’ll want to store your bags and start searching for a location that will be convenient for you to get to.

The BAGBNB app interface allows you to view storage locations and read/write reviews

Much like on AirBnB, each bag storage location has a profile with information about the location, photos of the facility and user reviews. For me, the security of my items as well as location were most important in my selection.

In San Francisco, all of the locations had the same pricing model, $6/bag per day. Actually nearly all locations around the world are the equivalent of about $6/bag. On line reservations are mandatory, but I made mine just an hour before I dropped my bags off without any problem.

Should I entrust some of my most precious possessions to a stranger?

And Where Am I Leaving My Luggage?

I think that is what surprised me the most about BAGBNB…the locations.

When you book accommodations with AirBNB you know you’ll be staying in a home or apartment or maybe even a hostel. But basically someplace that people are meant to sleep and live.

With BAGBNB, you could be dropping your bag at literally any type of business.  I chose a location that was close to the Embarcadero in San Francisco, and when I arrived, I realized it was a small cafe with a juice bar and breakfast and lunch options. As I passed my two bags across the counter to the woman who otherwise would be serving me a smoothie, I could see the other customers eyeing our reverse transaction oddly. I don’t blame them.

Not your typical luggage storage place

Other BAGBNB Angel locations could be in coffee shops, bike rental locations, co-working spaces or hotels.  Basically any sort of business that is centrally located near major tourist areas and with a secure area to hold your bags.  It seems like a way for smaller, independent businesses to make a few extra dollars renting out some otherwise unused space.

So How Did it Go?

The whole process couldn’t have been easier.  The website provides detailed information about how to find your Angel location. I arrived at a time when the location wasn’t too busy so the person behind the counter was able to help me right away.

When I told her that I was there for BAGBNB, she pulled up my reservation on the system, confirmed it and then took my bags. She gave me a receipt which was just a numbered restaurant order sheet, assured that my bags would be secure and sent me on my way.

All I needed to pick up my bags later…I feel like I also could have written in a mango smoothie and veggie burger, but I resisted

My only complaint about the whole process was that the website indicated that my location had a locked storage facility, but the room she placed my things in was open and visible.  It would have been very hard for someone to walk off with my things because the room was behind the counter and unaccessible to the public, but even so, it was not locked as was indicated.

After a lovely morning and afternoon of exploring the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco with only my purse and a shopping bag, I returned to pick up my luggage at the arranged time.  I honestly do not think it would have been any problem (or extra cost) if I showed up later. But you do want to be aware of the business’ closing time so your bags are not locked in overnight.

Would I Use this Service Again?

Absolutely! It was just too easy and affordable. This service saved me the hassle (and back pain) of carrying my bags all day.  It also gave me the freedom from having to constantly keep an eye on my extra things.

To be honest, I rarely have the need to store my bags as I can usually leave them at the hotel or AirBnB where I’m staying. That’s probably why I had never heard of this service before.  But for those times when I find myself in similar situation I would happily pull up the BAGBNB app and hand over my $6.00.

Order a juice and drop off a bag

What about you? Have you heard of this service before? Have you had a chance to try it out personally? Would you have any reservations to using a service like this on your travels?

Please leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts.

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