Should you leave your car in an airport long term parking facility? If you plan to leave your car in an airport parking facility, remember to lock you doors, hide any valuables, and, most importantly, never pack your car keys in your checked luggage.
"If you plan to leave your car in an airport parking facility, remember to lock you doors, hide any valuables, and, most importantly, never pack your car keys in your checked luggage. A perfectly good trip could end on a sour note if you arrive home on time and your luggage is delayed!" said Paula Berg of Southwest Airlines.
With many airports reducing close and short-term parking lots, you will find yourself more and more leaning towards long-term parking facilities. Airports are expanding or adding new terminals and the increase of security concerns in the post 9/11 era are making close terminal parking a relic of the past. What parking is still available is very expensive and on a first-come first-serve basis. Even the long-term on-site parking lots tend to stay full and finding a spot can become a time-consuming quest.
Today's long-term, off-site airport parking has improved from the past. Two types of offsite parking have come around, the independently owned lots and the airport owned lots. Airports realized they were missing a great revenue source in not providing long-term parking offsite. Because they are owned by the airlines, their price tends to be higher than independents.
Independently owned offsite parking lots can be a better bargain price wise. These satellite lots offer discounts and coupons for those who know how to find them. They tend to compete with each other, and competition keeps the price down. Two of the largest privately owned companies providing offsite parking have websites that give customers a discount for using their Internet site. This is done usually through an 'e-coupon'. An e-coupon is one that you print out from the website on your printer and bring with you to the lot. The coupons are coded with numbers that the operator will use to lock in whatever discounts you have been given. Sometimes there is a minimum stay, like at least two days, so always read the fine print.
Many offsite lots have covered and uncovered parking spots and the pricings are different. If you are traveling during bad weather, covered parking may be the better choice. They all provide shuttle service to the airport, but be sure to find out what hours the shuttles are available. If you have to call a number after hours, be sure to write it down. The company may have a special phone at the airport for you to use.
Other services you might want to look into involved automotive issues. Some sites will provide flat tire services and emergency jump-starts if you have car problems. That little extra care can win customer loyalty, even if they never have to use it. Other services that may be available are removing ice and snow from your car before your arrival or even oil changes. Offsite companies tend to charge the same amount, no matter the day of the week or if it is a holiday season.
Handicapped parking should be close to the front and the shuttles should provide the proper equipment on them. Check out their onsite security. Do tall fences surround the site? Make sure all the areas are well lighted. The last thing you want to have to deal with is fumbling around in the dark with luggage and tired passengers. Check payment options before driving on the lot. They may only take certain credit cards like Visa, no personal checks or cash only for short stays.
