Taking off Travel blog

If you are planning a quick get-a-way, or even a long vacation, there are a few things that I don’t want to purchase at the airport.  Not only will you pay sky high prices, but with a little planning, you can save money that you really would rather spend on your holiday.

1. Bottled water – Do you really want to spend $3.00 on a bottle of water?   With a little planning, this is definitely a good way to save money at the airport.  You cannot bring water through security, but you can bring empty water containers such as, water bottles of all sorts.  Either bring an empty water bottle from a previous use, or there are several options on the market for filtered water bottles, collapsible water bottles, or any combination of the above.  Fill your container up at the drinking fountain and you saved three dollars.
2. Bring Your Own Food – Airport food can be very expensive. However, with careful planning you can bring your own food with you.  Due to certain Transportation Security Administration limits liquids and gels must be in containers less than 100 mL, (just over 3 ounces). The phrase “liquids and gels” include peanut butter, jelly, pudding, hummus, applesauce, cream cheese, and other soft food items. The only exceptions are baby food, baby milk, juice for infants, or liquid medicine with a written prescription.  You are also unable to bring icepacks, so carrying cold foods may be difficult on long flights.  Although, this may limit your menu, you can bring along homemade sandwiches, wraps, and salads as long as they meet the requirements. Be sure that they are wraps securely to avoid any mess. Those food items that travel well are both fresh and dried fruits, granola bars, crackers, some raw vegetables, salads, and even instant hot cereal (if you bring a bowl and ask your flight attendant for hot water).
3. Foreign Currency – Please be aware that foreign currency exchanges in the airports normally have the highest transaction fees.  Your best bet is to find an ATM and take your money from there.  Most likely you’ll receive the best interbank exchange rate, however, check with your bank for leaving on your destination and let them know you will be traveling out of the country.  Once while traveling abroad my traveling partner’s funds were frozen as the bank suspected fraud.
4. Reading Material – Always try to bring your reading material with you to the airport. You will not find any discounted rates on magazines or the bestsellers from airport stores.
5. Airport Parking – Parking lot airport can be over crowded and very expensive. Did you know that at all the major airport there are off -airport parking lot? These lots normally have cheaper rates than those rates directly on your foregrounds.  The off airport parking lots shuttle you to terminal, assist you with your luggage, and return you to your car at the end of your trip.  Check out ParkRideFlyUSA.com’s rates for the best deal at your airport.  Purchasing ahead will save you money and you will receive a guaranteed parking space!

These are my top 5 things NOT to purchase at the airport.  I’d love to hear your tips.  Just leave a note in the comments!  Happy traveling!

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You’re probably thinking, seriously, there’s no shocking truth about something as boring as parking.  Well, unless you had the experience of arriving at the Airport Economy Parking Lot and the LOT FULL sign is flashing through your windshield, you are late for your flight, and you just saw the airport shuttle whiz by, you don’t know how shocking airport parking can be!

Outside of living under a rock most of your life, you probably already realize that the holiday period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is the busiest time of year for airline travel.  All this leads us to the point that unless you take some preliminary precautions, someone is going to park their car in your spot, even though you yelled DIBS on it with your super powers.

Let’s say that you had researched the parking costs for your Thanksgiving flight back in August, when you made your plane reservations.  But, you arrived at the lot and instead of  the reasonable $5 per day rate, the “holiday rate” is now $10.00+ per day.  WHAT?  Arguing with the attendant won’t work, she’s just charging what the computer told her.  If you want your car out of Airport Parking hock, then you will need fork over whatever the Airport says.

Now, let’s get back to reality.  Airport parking doesn’t need to become difficult, nor do you need super powers to get a great parking space.  You can reserve your spot ahead of time for an off-airport parking lot and save not only some of your hard earned cash, but time and frustration as well.  You receive luggage assistance, a ride to and from the terminal, and peace of mind from having a parking space.

Check out the rates for your departure airport at ParkRideFlyUSA. We have the best parking lots listed for your airport.  Just a few clicks, and you will have a guaranteed parking space for your holiday trip.  Book early so you can lock in your rate and avoid any last minute blackouts.  With your paid receipt, you will have access to your reserved parking spot at the off airport parking lot you chose, guaranteed locked in rate, and peace of mind before you start your trip home to Mom’s house.

And, since Mom is making your favorite holiday dessert, wouldn’t you rather spend your extra money on a nice gift instead of airport parking?

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.