Key Points:
- UPS 2nd Day Air® and FedEx 2 Day are two economical courier options for businesses that don’t need overnight delivery
- The UPS 2nd Day Air® delivery time is usually 48 hours, while FedEx 2 Day promises to deliver packages within two business days
- Easyship partners with both UPS and FedEx to help eCommerce business owners find speedy delivery services across the U.S.
As a savvy eCommerce merchant, you know that offering your customers choices is just smart business. That’s why having a variety of shipping options can help ensure customer satisfaction. One popular shipping option is 48-hour delivery.
UPS 2nd Day Air® and FedEx 2 Day are two economical courier options for businesses that don’t need overnight delivery. Although both offer similar services, they have some key differences. This guide will detail what each option offers and help you decide which can help store scale.
Table of Contents
What is UPS 2nd Day Air® Delivery?
As previously stated, both these services are quite similar delivery options. To help you decide which one will work for you, we will take a closer look at both and see what they’re all about.
What is UPS 2nd Day Air®?
UPS 2nd Day Air® shipping is an expedited shipping service that has been designed specifically for businesses that need to deliver products to customers within 48 hours. Here are a few key points to know.
How Long Does UPS 2nd Day Air® Take?
The UPS 2nd Day Air® delivery time is usually 48 hours. However, business owners should know that it may take longer to deliver to certain locations in Alaska and Hawaii. Delivery begins at 10 am, and the first packages each day are received by 10:30 am. Up to two delivery attempts will be made for each package for UPS 2nd Day Air® shipping.
Delivery Area
UPS 2nd Day Air® shipping offers delivery throughout the continental United States and Puerto Rico. For this reason, it’s best suited to domestic shipping needs.
Tracking
UPS 2nd Day Air® offers tracking services and guarantees delivery. Track one or multiple packages with UPS Tracking. Use your tracking number to track the status of your package.
Package Size and Weight
The UPS 2nd Day Air® cost is usually calculated based on the weight and size of a package. The weight limit for this service is 150 lbs. Packages should also be no more than 119” in length or 165” in combined length plus girth dimensions.
Does UPS 2nd Day Air® Include Weekends?
Service days for UPS 2nd Day Air® shipping are usually Monday through Friday. Saturday delivery and scheduled delivery services are also available.
Is UPS 2nd Day Air® Guaranteed?
UPS 2nd Day Air® shipping doesn’t offer insurance coverage. If you need to ensure your packages, you should find a third-party insurer.
How UPS 2nd Day Air Compares to Other Services
While UPS 2nd Day Air® remains a popular shipping service, let’s compare UPS 2nd Day Air® to other shipping services. Let’s jump in.
UPS 2nd Day Air® vs. UPS Ground
UPS 2nd Day Air® is a great shipping option for packages that don’t require overnight shipping. Here’s a quick overview of UPS 2nd Day Air® features:
- Economical option for shipments, especially for those that don’t need overnight service
- Guaranteed two-day delivery to every address in the continental US and Puerto Rico
Now, let’s go over UPS® Ground services features:
- Day-definite delivery in one to five days
- Economical shipping choice with affordable ground shipping rates
- With guaranteed delivery, you’ll know when your shipment arrives
Overall, choosing between UPS 2nd Day Air® and UPS® ground shipping depends on how quickly you need your shipment to be delivered. Fortunately, both shipping options also include guaranteed delivery.
UPS 2nd Day Air® vs. USPS Priority Mail
Not sure if UPS 2nd Day Air® or USPS Priority Mail is better for your eCommerce business? USPS Priority Mail even offers no extra cost for Saturday or residential delivery. Let’s consider the features of USPS Priority Mail here.
- Tracking and delivery in 1-3 business days
- Includes USPS tracking and up to $50 of insurance with most shipments
- Free package pickup service at your home or office
In order to find out whether UPS 2nd Day Air® is faster than USPS Priority Mail, consider looking at USPS’ Priority Mail Delivery Map, to see what the 2-day destinations are.
Overall, if you’re in a time crunch perhaps UPS 2nd Day Air® is a better choice for you since USPS’ time frame is 1-3 business days as compared to guaranteed 2nd-day delivery. However, both options are reliable as USPS and UPS handle millions of packages every year.
What Is FedEx 2 Day Delivery?
FedEx 2 Day is another speedy shipping option that promises to deliver packages within two business days. Here’s the service breakdown.
How Long Does it Take for FedEx 2 Day?
This service aims to deliver most packages by 4.30 pm on the second business day to most parts of the U.S. For residential addresses, deliveries will be made up to 7 pm. However, merchants should know that it can take up to three days to deliver to certain parts of Alaska and Hawaii due to their remote locations. Up to three delivery attempts will be made.
Delivery Area
With this service, you can ship to all 50 states within the continental United States. Of course, this means that you should only use this service if you’re shipping domestically.
Tracking
Expecting a package with FedEx. Track your package with just one click. Use the FedEx Delivery Manager to manage your delivery, receive alerts, and provide special delivery instructions.
Package Size and Weight
Packages being shipped with the FedEx 2 Day shipping option are subject to a weight restriction of 150lbs. In addition, they should not exceed 119” in length or 165” in combined length and girth.
Does FedEx 2 Day Deliver on Saturday?
This service is available from Monday through Friday. Saturday pickups and deliveries are offered in certain areas at an extra cost. A scheduled delivery is also available.
Insurance
You can get insurance coverage of up to US$100 with this service. If you need more than this, Easyship can help! We can insure orders up to US$10,000, with cost rates based on shipping costs and item value. Plus, our claims process is fast and easy – after submitting all your documents, we review and issue payment (where relevant) within a week.
UPS 2nd Day Air® vs. FedEx 2 Day Cost Comparison
Say you want to ship a 3-pound package from New York City to Los Angeles. In this section, we’ll compare the price difference between UPS 2nd Day Air® and FedEx 2 Day services offered. Below is the cost to send a 3-pound package with UPS 2nd Day Air® using our free shipping calculator.
It costs $21.73 to ship a 3-pound package from New York to Los Angles with UPS 2nd Day Air®. Now, let’s see how much FedEx 2 Day shipping costs. Below is a how much it costs to send the same 3-pound package from New York to Los Angeles.
- FedEx Priority Overnight: $152.94
- FedEx Standard Overnight: $141.31
- FedEx 2Day: $80.19
- FedEx 2Day AM: $91.77
As we can see, it costs, $80.19 to ship with FedEx 2Day shipping. Overall, it would be much cheaper to send the 3-pound package from New York to Los Angeles with UPS 2nd Day Air® as compared to shipping FedEx 2 Day.
How Easyship Can Help
Although UPS 2nd Day Air® and FedEx 2 Day offer similar services for 48-hour package delivery, they differ in a few key ways. It’s up to you to find the one that suits your business needs.
Easyship partners with UPS and FedEx to help eCommerce business owners find speedy delivery services across the U.S. Sign up for a free account today and explore shipping solutions from over 250 carriers.
UPS vs. FedEx FAQ
How reliable is UPS 2nd Day Air®?
UPS 2nd Day Air® guarantees 2-day delivery to every address throughout the continental US and Puerto Rico.
Does 2-day shipping include weekends?
UPS offers residential delivery to more than 100 metro areas across the US on Saturday and Sunday at no additional cost. FedEx offers Saturday and Sunday for an additional charge.
How much does 2nd-day air cost?
A 3-pound package shipped from New York City to Los Angeles costs $59.48 for UPS 2nd Day Air®. FedEx charges $77.93 for the same 3-pound package. Alternatively, you can use our free shipping rate calculator and save up to 91% with our discounted rates.
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