Taking off Travel blog

Top of the morning to you and here’s our weekly (ish) roundup of airport and airport parking news.

Off Airport Parking Research

First up, the results of some new research into airport parking, published on the UK’s Travel Daily UK blog. UK firm Looking4Parking has published research showing that 66% of those using airport parking firms save an hour on their journey. And a third of the 1,000 people polled also thought that a meet and greet service saved up to 2 hours.  Convenience and cost were among the factors that led people to book with off airport parking firms. Find out more about the airport parking research here.

Looking Ahead to Terminal 4 – JFK Airport

In the New York Times last week, there was a sneak peek at changes happening at JFK’s new terminal 4, due for completion next year. According to the article by Christine Haughney, the structure is beginning to take place. The new terminal will automate baggage screening and speed up security. When completed passenger transfers between domestic and international flights are also expected to work more smoothly. Read more on the JFK expansion here.

Airline Administration Fees

It’s not just here in the US that we have a problem with ever increasing air travel fees. Saturday’s post on the Travel Rants blog saw Darren Cronian talking about administration fees on EasyJet, one of the UK’s low cost airlines. The cause of contention is a new GBP9 (approximately $13.50 at today’s exchange rates) applied to all debit card payments. This fee is more than 9 times the maximum fee charged by banks for debit card transactions. With new European legislation coming in to improve transparency for travelers, Cronian asks:

why is it that every time the government or European Union announces a new legislation, the airlines find somewhere around it, which ultimately costs the consumer money?

Why, indeed?

Radiation Tests for TSA Employees

We’ve been wondering about the effects of airport scanners for quite a while and the Transport Security Administration (TSA) has generally played down health concerns. However, according to an article in the LA Times, the TSA is planning to test its employees and check their radiation exposure. No tests yet for the scanners themselves or the passengers though.

Save on Airport Parking

Finally, to end today’s roundup, a piece of company news – our latest airport parking discount coupon. If you’re thinking of making airport parking reservations at (MDW) Chicago Midway Airport, (IND) Indianapolis Airport, (ALB) Albany Airport, (ORD) Chicago O’Hare Airport, (JFK) John F. Kennedy Airport or any of our more than 150 airport parking locations nationwide, you won’t want to miss this offer. Just book 2 days or more by January 31, 2012 using the promo code Happy12 and SAVE 10%*.  This offer is valid for travel for the entire year.

Most of the world has been in a belt tightening phase for the last couple of years and there’s no sign that this is likely to decrease. So if you’re planning to travel this holiday season and are already affected by rising air fares, higher baggage charges and premiums for extra legroom and other in-flight amenities then you will be looking for ways to save. One of the ways that you might be able to do that is with near airport parking. As the name suggests, this is parking that is near the airport but not on the airport premises which means you don’t have to pay the usual inflated fees to park at the airport.

Save on Near Airport Parking

Some research shows that the savings you can make are significant. But you have to start now if you want to make those holiday savings. The entire world loves a coupon and if you’re parking near the airport it’s a good idea to check out the latest coupons available from your off airport parking provider. Sometimes you can save as much as 10% on the cost of parking and there are other bonuses too. Look out for providers who have tie-ins with other companies that allow you to maximize your savings. (One of ours is with the AARP, for example). You might find that you get other perks if you’re a member of the partner organization.

Perks and Security

There’s nothing worse than coming back to your car and finding that it won’t start or that it’s stone cold after you’ve been away for a break. Some near airport parking providers will make sure that your car is warmed up and ready so that when you get in you can drive away comfortably. In addition, let’s not forget that your car is in a secure facility while you are enjoying your family vacation and you won’t have to worry about it while you’re away. Can you guarantee that with an on-airport parking facility?

Double Dipping

And then there’s the best bit – double dipping! You can book your near airport parking deal with a credit card and if you sign up for the off airport parking provider’s reward scheme you can earn points with them at the same time as you earn points from your card provider. If there are tie-ins with accommodation and car hire as well you can potentially earn multiple times on the same trip. It may not exactly be money in your pocket but it certainly is less money going out. So think about it: if you’re traveling over the holiday season consider near airport parking as one way you can cut your travel costs.

(Image: add1sun)

Planning to park at Chicago Midway (MDW), Albany Airport (ALB) or  Indianapolis Airport (IND)? If you are, have we got an offer for you!  Book 4 or more days at MDW, IND or ALB and receive a $25 Restaurant.com certificate once your stay is complete.

That’s $25 to spend on the site that matches great restaurants with great people.

Check out the offer details here:

Indianapolis Airport Parking

Midway Airport Parking

Albany Airport Parking

This offer is available while stocks last for buyers purchasing new airport parking reservations of 4 days or more online only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.  Full terms and conditions available on Park Ride Fly USA’s site.

Parking at Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport has become a headache for passengers and drivers, according to this report from NBC. With construction taking place at Terminal A, there are now 1,600 less available spaces at the airport, and that’s likely to continue for 16 months. With parking chaos at the airport many travelers are choosing other options, such as getting someone to drop them off or relying on off airport parking solutions – and that’s where we can help. Our FastTrack Airport Parking facility is not far from the airport, has a free airport shuttle and operates year round, so whenever you’re traveling it’s a good option. Here are some of the benefits of this DFW parking facility:

• Guaranteed airport parking reservations
• Short-term or long-term
• Self-park, Covered
• Secure and well-lit fenced lot
• 24-hour surveillance
• Best available discounted rate
• We’ll handle all your luggage
• No walking – through rain or shine, hot or cold
• Complimentary, comfortable shuttles
• Continuous departures from our lot and terminal
• Quick and convenient
• Curb-to-curb service
• Earn Rewards towards free days
• Accessible parking

Now, isn’t that better than circling the airport for 45 minutes, as some have had to do?

We don’t want to say we told you so, but … we told you so! UK travel comparison site Travel Supermarket has published research showing that Easter holiday makers can save up to 572% off the cost of airport parking by using an off airport parking lot for an eight day stay. The average saving that could be made across the 23 airports researched equaled $177, with greater savings to be made at Heathrow, the UK’s most expensive airport for airport parking. Hmm, wonder what the savings would be on US airport parking?

Read the full story here – and don’t forget to check out our off airport parking coupons and deals.