Comparing UPS 2nd Day Air® vs FedEx 2Day

There are three big shipping giants in the U.S. to get your important shipments from A to B. But with three solid options and with each providing a number of different shipping offerings, where do you begin finding the right one to suit you?

Comparing UPS, FedEx and USPS requires a lot of diving into detail and doing the math. And that might not be something you’ve got time for this week when you’re running a busy business. 

But if you’re looking at the most cost-effective, and time-efficient way to send your goods on a tighter timeframe, you may be weighing up the pros of UPS 2nd Day Air®vs FedEx 2Day.

Which is why we’ve taken the time to go down the delivery rabbit hole for you, so you can focus on other things on your to-do list. 

Table of Contents

• UPS 2nd Day Air® Overview

• Pros & Cons of UPS 2nd Day Air®

• FedEx 2Day Overview

• Pros & Cons of Fedex 2Day

• Comparison - Which is Best?

UPS 2nd Day Air® Overview

If you’re looking at the most cost-effective, and time-efficient way to send your goods, you may be weighing up the pros of UPS 2nd Day Air® vs FedEx 2Day. A lot can be decided depending on the size and weight of the packages and the time they need to arrive.  

If shipments aren’t as urgent as needing overnight delivery, both UPS 2nd Day Air® and FedEx 2Day offer a handy alternative. 

What is UPS 2nd Day Air®

UPS 2nd Day Air® is a means of shipping to get your packages from A-to-B in just two days, choosing between UPS 2nd Day Air A.M.® and UPS 2nd Day Air®.

UPS 2nd Day Air A.M.® delivers to the 48 contiguous states and limited addresses in Alaska and Hawaii, UPS 2nd Day Air® delivers to all 50 states and Puerto Rico with some delivery limitations in Alaska and Hawaii. 

What are the package and weight limits?

If you’re sending packages with UPS 2nd Day Air®, they can weigh up to 150lbs and measure up to 108” long. 

Key information on UPS 2nd Day Air®

Is UPS 2nd Day Air® guaranteed? 

UPS 2nd Day Air Delivery® is guaranteed. UPS guarantees the shipment will be delivered by the end of the second day. Delivery begins at 10am and is usually complete within 48 hours. 

If you need your shipment to arrive in the morning - choose UPS 2nd Day Air A.M.®

Even though all 50 states and Puerto Rico are included in the area of delivery, there are some limitations on Alaska and Hawaii where delivery may take longer than other parts of the U.S., so something to consider if you are thinking of sending to either location. 

For a clearer idea of transit times for your packages, you can check your transit times with UPS here. 

Does UPS 2nd Day Air® deliver on Saturday? 

UPS 2nd Day Air® delivery mostly occurs on Monday to Friday. This is the standard delivery window and timeframe.

However if you do need your shipments to arrive at the weekend, you can select it to be delivered on Saturday at an extra cost. 

How much will it cost to send?

The cost of shipping your package(s) will depend entirely on how much it weighs. You may also incur extra charges if sending to and from less popular or accessible domestic areas.

Due to higher operating costs, extended and remote area surcharges are assessed to more accurately reflect the cost of providing service to these areas.

For a rough estimate of how much it could cost you to send with UPS - you can get and quote and calculate the cost here. 

Pros of shipping with UPS 2nd Day Air®

• Fast delivery - Your package will arrive within 2 days, ideal for more pressing items that need to get from A to B with a tighter turnaround

• Reliable shipping- UPS has a track record for being a reliable delivery option. Not only does their 2nd Day Air® option guarantee fast delivery times, but their customer service team is on hand to support in the unlikely event something goes wrong. 

• Affordable and fast - This option is often more affordable than others, so 2nd Day Air® is competitively priced 

• Domestic shipping only 

Cons of shipping with UPS 2nd Day Air®

• Not ideal for packages over 150lbs 

• Insuring high value items is best done via a third party as it isn’t covered with UPS 2nd Day Air®

• This option is most suitable for domestic shipping only - though you can still send to the 50 states

• Packages to Alaska and Hawaii may take longer than 2 days

Considering other UPS options as well as 2nd Day Air®? Check out our guide on Shipping with UPS.

FedEx 2Day Overview

UPS isn’t the only option to consider. FedEx also offers a tighter-turnaround shipping option with their FedEx 2Day offering. 

What is FedEx 2Day shipping?

With FedEx 2Day shipping, packages are delivered within 2 business days throughout the U.S.

Depending on how urgent you need your shipment to arrive, you can choose between FedEx 2Day A.M® and FedEx 2Day Air®.

The former offers morning delivery on the second business day, the latter ensures delivery by the end of the second business day. 

What are the package and weight limits?

Similarly to UPS, shipping with FedEx 2Day allows you to send packages weighing up to 150lbs and measuring each up to 119” in length, 165” in length plus girth (L+2W+2H). 

Key information on FedEx 2Day 

Is shipping guaranteed?

FedEx guarantee deliveries placed with FedEx 2 Day shipping. They advise that packages will arrive by 5.00 pm to most areas and by 8.00 pm to residences.

There is also the option to request a refund on deliveries that arrive later than promised, with a money back guarantee. 

Does it deliver on Saturday? 

Similarly to UPS, standard delivery days are Monday to Friday. However there is the option to deliver on Saturday in certain areas, for an additional charge. 

How much is FedEx 2 Day shipping? 

Depending on how much your shipment (contents and packaging combined) weighs and the size of it, the cost will be relative to its size and weight. You can calculate your shipping costs here, to get a rough idea of what it will cost you and your wallet. Need to send a few packages from the same origin to the same destination? Multi Weight pricing options might make the process more affordable than sending individually. 

Pros of FedEx 2 Day

• Real time tracking updates via FedEx’s full tracking tool

• Speedy customs clearance - guidance on what to expect can help you prepare your shipment for a smooth and swift customs experience 

• Delivery management - provide specific delivery instructions, manage your delivery and receive alerts

• Up to $100 insurance - good for non-urgent, costly, or sentimental deliveries 

Cons of FedEx 2 Day

• More expensive than other shipping options for the same timeframe

• Weight limit of 150lbs might not be feasible for some businesses 

• Delivery to Hawaii and Alaska might take longer than other shipments 

Comparing UPS 2nd Day Air vs FedEx 2 Day

Just as there are comparisons with UPS Ground and FedEx Ground, UPS 2nd Day Air® and FedEx 2Day are no different.

Weighing up the two options brings up a lot of different areas, so we’ve distilled them down into one table to make it easier to compare. That way you can find the right shipping solution for your business:

Further reading: Flat Rate Shipping Ultimate Guide 

How Veeqo Can Help

Gone are the days where stamps were the only shipping option.

As an ecommerce shipping software, Veeqo is designed to help streamline the shipping process for you and your business. From discounted shipping rates to shipping labels, Veeqo can help give you more control over choosing the best-priced, best-suited solution for your business. 

Even with benchmark costs for shipping parcels by weight, there are still ways you can negotiate better shipping rates with UPS and FedEx. 

If you ship with Veeqo, you can access discounted FedEx rates, including FedEx 2day as well as reductions with UPS 2nd Day Air®.

And because Veeqo is owned by Amazon, you gain access to rates that have already been negotiated by Amazon. Meaning Veeqo can help you find a low price as well as helping you find shipping options where you can: 

• Send next day orders via UPS Next Day Air

• Send orders under a certain weight via UPS

• Send order over a certain value via UPS

Whether you’re looking at the best shipping software to create labels as a small business, or whether you’re a business owner with a fast-growing enterprise business, the options available and things to consider continue to grow.

So don’t let shipping options overwhelm you. With UPS 2nd Day Air® and FedEx 2Day available, your shipments can get from you to your customer in as little as 2 days. 

At a time where we can click and order what we want at the click of a button, this is a great way to keep customers happy. 

Sign-up to Veeqo today to get access to discounted rates for your businesses shipping needs with both UPS and FedEx.