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.

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)

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.

• 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?

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

Assessing the Cost of Airport Parking

But sometimes I wonder whether it would be sensible to have a national comparison engine for offsite airport parking. After all, in the same way that you look for cheap flights and then make a decision on where to go, the cost of your parking has a major impact on the overall cost of your trip. Luckily, there are lots of ways that you can save money on this part of your holiday.

Book Online

One top tip is to book your parking online. Choose a provider with a good website who will make it easy for you to make reservations, apply discounts and secure additional services from one handy place. Of course, don’t forget to look for local deals which may be available through your newspaper or favorite news site. Off airport parking providers often make deals available through different media outlets.

Discounts and Coupons

It is also worth looking for seasonal discounts, such as our holiday discount parking coupon. These can give you a significant saving on the usual price of parking, making your off airport parking cheap. To add to this, you may also be able to get discounts on car hire, hotels and other travel services through your parking provider’s partnerships. And of course your airport parking facility may offer reward and point schemes which you can apply to your future off airport parking requirements.

Other Benefits

As well as saving money on parking, there may be additional benefits to using an off airport parking provider. For example, your provider may offer a valet service, or may warm or cool the car for you before pickup depending on the season. They may be small things, but they can give a boost to the overall travel experience. So the next time you’re ready to book cheap airport parking consider the tips I’ve given above — and you could save a mint!

Research Off Airport Parking

Once you know where you’re going, it’s a good idea to ressearch off airport parking facilities to see which one meets your needs. The services vary at each facility. Some offer self parking, where you put your car in an assigned space, while others offer valet parking. Some facilities will make sure that your car is heated or cooled for your arrival. I’ve even used facilities where the car got a wash before I picked it up. So shopping around really pays off.

Reap The Rewards

If you use a particular airport often, then it may be worth getting an account with the nearest offsite airport parking facility. That’s because such facilities offer even greater savings for preferred customers. You may get additional coupons, an extended range of services and free parking days. You may also benefit from a rewards program that allows you to collect points and redeem them at other travel related services. Over time, this can really pay off.

Save Time With Offsite Airport Parking

Of course, it’s not just about the money. The other big saving with off airport parking is time. When you park at the airport, it can take quite a while to find a space, and it can be a long walk to where you pick up a shuttle bus. With offsite airport parking it’s a door to door business for both arrival and departure, saving you hassle and stress. In many cases, you don’t even have to lift a bag once you leave your car. The driver will help you get bags on and off the shuttle bus and you can pick up a trolley once you get to the airport.

I’ve used offsite airport parking many times and it works like a dream. It’s now the only option I consider when I travel. What about you?

Tips for choosing offsite airport parking

Research The Facilities

Before you even think about booking, check out the airport parking lot online. Is it located close enough to the terminal you will be traveling from? What facilities does it have? Accessibility, the availability of a cell phone lot and other amenities will all make a difference to the overall experience of using the parking lot. Check whether the offsite airport parking provider offers a choice of parking options, plus useful services like turning on the heat or air conditioning before you come back to the car.

Check On The Offers

Everyone’s providing coupons, discounts and offers and offsite airport parking firms are no exception. When you have found the off airport parking firm you want to use, check the website for coupons and offers. Many sites have a rolling offer which changes with the seasons. It’s also worth browsing general coupon and offer sites to see if they have any good deals.

There may also be offers depending on when you book the parking and for how long. Many off airport parking firms offer discounts for longer parking periods. Sometimes it can be more cost effective to park for several days than for just one.

Find Partnership Deals

Finally, if you belong to any associations, see if they have struck a deal with the offsite airport parking firm. You may be able to get an additional discount on your parking. Look out for tie-ups with other travel industry providers. If you are booking a hotel room, a flight  or a rental car, then you may be eligible for a discount on parking. You may even be able to get a rebate by using a particular credit card. Offsite airport parking firms may also offer rewards for regular customers. This could result in additional services at no extra cost or a reduction in the daily parking rate.

Doing your research in advance could save you a bundle on offsite airport parking – and there are often additional discounts for advance online bookings.

(Photo: Drewski2112)

The airport is located 4.5 miles east of downtown Birmingham, making it a breeze to get to, as well as putting the city within easy reach of travelers on a layover. It’s well served for parking, including our Birmingham airport parking lot and a cell phone lot. If you’re not driving yourself, then the major car hire companies are all easy to get to from the main terminal. The airport is fully accessible for disabled travelers too. Last year, BHM carried more than three million passengers.

Other facilities in the airport include:

• a food court
• two ATMs between concourses B and C on the upper level
• free WiFi
• shops
• a business centre
• international medical assistance

Venturing out of the airport, there’s lots to see in and around Birmingham itself.

Birmingham, Alabama Attractions

See lions, gorillas, rhinos, geckos and more at the Birmingham Zoo. You can tour the zoo on the Zoo Express train and enjoy a range of educational activities. There’s even overnight camping if you choose to pass up a stay in a hotel.

It stays warm in Birmingham, which means that plants really thrive at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Check out the tropical plants in the huge glass greenhouse and visit themed gardens to enjoy the sight and aroma of thousands of plant species. There are more than 10,000 to view on this 67.5 acre site.

Get a taste of Birmingham’s industrial history by visiting the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. The furnaces date back to the 1880s when they were a major part of the city’s steel industry. There’s a park and sculpture garden to see as well and, unless there’s an event on, admission is free.

The McWane Science Center is an interactive science museum, where visitors can experiment with the laws of physics, explore space, construct machinery and more. Whether you’re interested in coral, dinosaurs or robots, you will find something of interest here.

Combine shopping with sightseeing by visiting the Riverchase Galleria, which boasts the western hemisphere’s largest skylight. The huge glass atrium adds to the appeal. You can shop, eat and enjoy indoor fountains and gardens.

Finally, find out about Alabama’s contributions to jazz history at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. It’s amazing how many jazz greats got their start here.

1. Check The Location 

A good place to start with off airport parking is on the web. Don’t just book the first offsite airport facility you find. Instead, look for maps and directions to make sure that the facility you choose really will be convenient. It’s not always about distance from the airport, though. Sometimes an off airport parking lot that’s further away can work if there’s a good free shuttle service thrown in.

2. Book Online

Booking offsite airport parking does not have to be inconvenient. Once you have found the ideal parking lot, use the online booking facilities to make your reservation and print out your parking coupon. That will make your life much easier when you arrive at the airport.

3. Check For Discounts

Many offsite airport parking facilities offer seasonal discounts, frequent user benefits and other advantages. They may also have links with car owner associations which will shave the cost of your off airport parking space. And there could be other benefits too.

4. Look For Benefits

As well as service with a smile, there are many other benefits you can gain from offsite airport parking. Many facilities take your bags when you arrive and put them on the shuttle. They may also offer an oil change or car wash or putting the heating or air conditioning on for you before you pick up the car. These small touches make travel much more pleasant.

Once you convert to offsite airport parking, you will never again need to circle the airport in search of a parking space – think of all the time you will save!