What Is UPS Next Day Air Saver?

UPS Next Day Air Saver is an overnight shipping option that can get mail to its destination quickly and at a cheaper price point than other options. Many businesses use UPS Next Day Air Saver as a means to get packages to customers quickly while saving a bit of money in the process.

This service is run by the United Parcel Service (UPS), and it provides a bit more leeway on delivery times than other shipping options do. Everything sent by UPS Next Day Air Saver is sent via air transport.

How Does UPS Next Day Air Saver Work?

UPS Next Day Air Saver works similarly to UPS’s other air services. You package and ship things in a similar manner as you would for any other air service.

It is a cheaper service offering because packages arrive at their destinations slightly later than they do with UPS Next Day Air service. Letters and packages arrive at their commercial destination by 3 PM to 4:30 PM the next business day. For residential destinations, letters and packages arrive by the end of the day.

With traditional UPS Next Day Air, packages are guaranteed to arrive at their destination by 10 to 10:30 AM. If your shipment doesn’t need a morning arrival time, UPS Next Day Air Saver can be a good way to save some money on shipping costs.

UPS Next Day Air does not operate on weekends. If you send a package on Friday, it will arrive on Monday, the next business day.

How Much Does It Cost?

The specific costs of your package will vary according to weight, size, and destination. You can see a full list of UPS’s rates for UPS Next Day Air Saver here. On average, UPS Next Day Air Saver is about $1 or so cheaper than sending a letter via UPS Next Day Air. 

While the savings might not seem that substantial on an individual basis, they can add up quickly for companies that are shipping a lot of letters or packages. Heavier and larger packages result in greater savings. Many companies do a cost comparison after they have sent some packages via UPS Next Day Air Saver and are impressed with the cost savings to simply have the packages arrive later in the day. 

Where Does UPS Next Day Air Saver Ship?

This service can ship anywhere in the contiguous 48 states as well as specific areas of Alaska and Hawaii. If an area only has an end-of-day delivery time guarantee for UPS Next Day Air rather than a guaranteed morning delivery time, UPS Next Day Air Saver service is not available.

Is a Signature Required?

Signatures are not required when shipping to residential addresses unless the sender specifies that one is required. Deliveries to commercial addresses via UPS Next Day Air Saver do require a signature.

How Does UPS Next Day Air Saver Compare to FedEx Standard Overnight?

FedEx Standard Overnight is a popular alternative to UPS Next Day Air Saver. Similarly, FedEx Standard Overnight promises delivery by 4:30 PM the next day to commercial addresses and by 8 PM to residential destinations. 

FedEx Standard Overnight offers delivery to all 50 states, provided the area has FedEx Priority Overnight service with a guaranteed 10:30 AM delivery time the next day. Similar to UPS Next Day Air Saver, FedEx Standard Overnight only operates on business days, not weekends.

FedEx Standard Overnight tends to be a bit less expensive than UPS Next Day Air Saver. The exact amount of savings varies depending on the size, weight, and destination of the package or letter.  

Other Alternatives to UPS Next Day Air Saver

You have plenty of alternatives to UPS Next Day Air Saver available, including other options with UPS as well as other shipping services. 

• UPS Next Day Air: As described above, UPS Next Day Air guarantees delivery by about 10 AM the next day.
• UPS Next Day Air Early: If your letter or package needs to get to its destination first thing in the morning, this is the option for you. Delivery by about 8 AM is guaranteed.
• FedEx Priority Overnight: This is another alternative if you need a morning delivery guarantee. Your letter or package will arrive at its business destination by about 10:30 AM and its residential destination by about 12 PM. Some rural addresses may not receive delivery until 4:30 PM to 5 PM.
• FedEx First Overnight: Similar to UPS Next Day Air Early, FedEx First Overnight guarantees delivery by about 8 AM the next business day. This service tends to cost a bit more than the UPS alternative.
• USPS Priority Mail Express: This service guarantees 1-day or 2-day expedited service, depending on which speed you choose. Packages and letters are delivered by 3 PM with USPS Priority Mail Express. You can purchase delivery by 10:30 AM for an additional cost. This service is often offered seven days a week in various locations, so it can offer more flexibility than some of the other options.

Should You Offer UPS Next Day Air Saver to Your Customers?

If you ship a lot of packages that need to arrive the next business day, UPS Next Day Air Saver can be a good option for your business. Provided your customers can wait until the end of the day for their shipments, the savings on this service can add up significantly when compared to other next-day shipping options that guarantee morning delivery times. 

References

Domestic UPS Next Day Air Saver. UPS.

What Is FedEx Overnight Shipping? FedEx.

Priority Mail Express. USPS.