**I haven’t paid over $50 on any airline since 2009 (the United flights). **
My credit card plan includes luggage insurance too.
Shop around for the right airline and never courier ship again.
Then you’re the HUGE exception as the vast majority of those traveling w/ bikes, pay considerably more (as per United’s own policy):
http://www.united.com/.../baggage/sports.aspx
I said United was the exception. They charged me $150 or $175 IIRC. Will never fly United again.