Amazon Prime is a game changer. Because of it, customers expect their packages faster than ever before. To remain in the game and retain your competitive advantage for order fulfillment, you need to be able to ship fast – usually no later than the next day.
How are you going to do it and keep costs down? A viable option to offer your customers is UPS Next Day Air Saver. It’s overnight shipping, it’s cost-effective and might be the right choice for your customers.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about UPS Next Day Air Saver. You’ll learn what it is, where it ships to, its pros and cons, when it’s the best option for your business, and much more.
TL;DR:
UPS Next Day Air Saver key points
UPS Next Day Air Saver is an overnight shipping service that delivers packages by afternoon instead of morning at a lower cost than standard Next Day Air.
Delivers packages between 3:00-4:30 p.m. to commercial addresses and end of day to residential addresses, compared to 10:30 a.m. for standard Next Day Air.
Ships to all 48 contiguous states plus parts of Alaska and Hawaii, with savings of $1-$21 for letters and up to $18 for 50-pound packages.
Ideal for businesses that need guaranteed next-day delivery but want to save on shipping costs while still meeting customer expectations.
What is UPS Next Day Air Saver?
UPS Next Day Air Saver is an overnight air freight shipping mail service that offers expedited next-day shipping at a lower rate than regular UPS Next Day Air.
While both options provide one-day delivery that allows you to ship your packages overnight, the distinction is the delivery timing of your shipment. With Next Day Air Saver, you still get your packages in the customer’s hands within one business day, but it’s usually delivered later in the day than UPS Next Day Air.
UPS Next Day Air has a guaranteed commitment to delivery by 10:30 a.m., the next morning after shipping.
UPS Next Day Air Saver promises next-day delivery between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. to commercial addresses and at the end of the day to residential addresses.
It’s designed to help build your business while balancing speed and shipping costs.
Where does it ship to?
UPS Next Day Air Saver ships to all 48 contiguous states, plus certain areas in Alaska and Hawaii. The caveat is, it’s not available in locations where standard Next Day Air has an end-of-day delivery time guaranteed instead of guaranteed morning delivery.
How much does it cost?
While UPS Next Day Air Saver is cheaper than the standard UPS Next Day Air Service, actual savings vary depending on the size and volume of packages being sent.
To give you a clearer picture of the cost differences, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for both services based on letter shipments and packages of various sizes. As you’ll see, the savings can be significant, especially for larger or heavier shipments.
| Shipping Option | Zone | UPS Next Day Air Saver | UPS Next Day Air | Cost Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | Any zone | $31.91 – $59.69 | $32.97 – $80.93 | $1.06 – $21.24 savings |
| Package (Lightest) | Zone 132 | $36.79 | $31.21 | $2.94 savings |
| Package (Lightest) | Zone 138 | $91.81 | $104.58 | $12.77 savings |
| 50 lbs. Package | Lowest cost (Zone 132) | $142.43 | $150.33 | $7.9 savings |
| 50 lbs. Package | Highest cost (Zone 138) | $497.30 | $515.63 | $18.33 savings |
As you review the cost breakdown, it’s clear that UPS Next Day Air Saver offers meaningful savings, particularly for businesses shipping larger or heavier packages. By choosing this option, you can reduce costs without compromising delivery speed.
PRO TIP: The heavier your package and the further it travels, the more you can save by choosing UPS Next Day Air Saver.
You can get a more reliable estimate of UPS Next Day Air Saver shipping costs by using the UPS Shipping Calculator.
Pros and cons of using UPS Next Day Air Saver
Next Day Air Saver is a great option for businesses who want to send something fast with guaranteed next-day delivery while saving money at the same time. It provides a cost-effective solution without compromising on speed.
However, there are some limitations to consider. The service area is smaller, and your shipments must adhere to specific size and weight requirements. This means that not every package will qualify for this service.
You should carefully weigh your options and choose Next Day Air Service if it better fits your shipping needs and customer expectations.
PROS:
Guaranteed next day delivery.
Guaranteed arrival times.
Cheaper for overnight delivery.
CONS:
Smaller delivery area than UPS Next Day Air
What are the dimensional limitations of UPS Next Day Air Saver?
UPS Next Day Air Saver packages must be no more than 108 inches in length. And the longest side cannot exceed 30 inches. These size limits are comparable to UPS Next Day Air.
Carriers like UPS use dimensional weight or DIM weight pricing to determine the cost to ship a package based on its volume. This allows them to incorporate the size of the packages they ship into their pricing structure as the size as well as weight determines how many packages, they can fit on one truck.
When you work with a 3PL like Red Stag Fulfillment, volume pricing discounts can save you and your customers on shipping – especially when it comes to shipping large or bulky items.
Does it have a weight limit?
The weight limit for UPS Next Day Air Saver is the same as for Next Day Air, 150 lbs.
When does it make sense to choose it?
If cost is an important consideration but without sacrificing speed, UPS Next Day Air Saver makes good sense. It can be a reliable way to get your packages to customers the next day, without cutting into your profits.
Since the packages arrive the very next day, as with UPS Next Day Air, customers might not notice the subtle time differences between the two delivery options – but you will notice the savings.
UPS Next Day Air Saver is a useful option for ecommerce businesses looking to satisfy customer demands for speed while managing costs and maximizing margins.
The bottom line
UPS Next Day Air Saver is a great option for businesses that require fast, reliable, and affordable shipping. It guarantees that your packages are delivered quickly and securely, without any of the hassles and delays usually associated with express shipping. If you’re looking for an expedited solution that can save you money, it might be worth considering.
Reduce your shipping rates with a 3PL
One important thing to be aware of is that you can further reduce your shipping costs by working with a 3PL like Red Stag Fulfillment. We can typically negotiate more favorable shipping rates by leveraging our total shipping volumes across all partners.
Depending on your packages and costs, these savings can be significant enough to help you grow and invest more into your business. If you’re considering working with a 3PL, we can help you control carrier or DIM weights and help you with large, bulky, and high-value orders to save you money on shipping.
Learn more about Next Day Air Saver and other overnight shipping options, plus how your business can save on its ground and standard shipments by having a quick conversation with Red Stag Fulfillment. We’ll point you in the direction of the best options and eCommerce fulfillment partners for your business.
Optimize your shipping strategy today
Looking to lower your shipping costs while still meeting customer expectations for fast delivery? Red Stag Fulfillment can help you navigate shipping options and leverage our volume discounts to save you money on every package.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between UPS Next Day Air and UPS Next Day Air Saver?
The main difference is delivery time.
UPS Next Day Air guarantees delivery by 10:30 a.m. the next business day, while UPS Next Day Air Saver delivers between 3:00-4:30 p.m. to commercial addresses and by end of day to residential addresses.
Next Day Air Saver is more affordable, with savings ranging from $1-$21 depending on package size and weight.
Where does UPS Next Day Air Saver deliver?
UPS Next Day Air Saver delivers to all 48 contiguous states, plus certain areas in Alaska and Hawaii. However, it’s not available in locations where standard Next Day Air has an end-of-day delivery time guaranteed instead of morning delivery. This makes its service area slightly smaller than regular Next Day Air.
What are the size and weight limitations for UPS Next Day Air Saver?
UPS Next Day Air Saver packages must be no more than 108 inches in length, with the longest side not exceeding 30 inches. The weight limit is 150 lbs, which is the same as standard UPS Next Day Air.
Dimensional weight pricing applies, which means the cost is based on both the actual weight and the package’s volume.
How can a 3PL like Red Stag Fulfillment help reduce shipping costs?
A 3PL like Red Stag Fulfillment can help reduce shipping costs by negotiating more favorable shipping rates with carriers like UPS by leveraging their total shipping volumes across all partners.
Additionally, they can help control carrier or dimensional (DIM) weights and provide specialized handling for large, bulky, and high-value orders. These volume pricing discounts and expertise can lead to significant savings on shipping costs while maintaining fast delivery times.
