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Six reasons you should book airport parking in advance

Parking at the last minute requires you to settle for whatever service an airport, hotel, or parkade offers, but if you want your car to stay in good shape, you at least need 24-hour surveillance.

There are some things that you should always book in advance, like a doctor's appointment or getting your hair dyed because you’re guaranteed to get the service you need when you need it. Treating airport parking like one of these services will save you a lot of headaches, too.

1. Avoid the last minute rush
What happens when you don’t book with your doctor or hairstylist ahead of time? You have to go on the walk-in schedule where you're subject to long wait times, stress, and frustration. It’s possible to wait the entire day without getting seen, but this situation could have been avoided.

When you book a parking spot at the last minute or not at all, you run the risk of missing out on the best spots, like parkade parking or economy pricing. If you’re flying during a busy season, there may not be space for you at the airport, meaning you’ll have to book off-lot or take an Uber. 

2. Booking-off lot or ubering
Booking off-lot can actually provide a lot of benefits. For example, several off-lot PDX parking lots in Portland offer gated, secure, self-park facilities complete with car care and a 24-hour shuttle. However, if you book at the last minute, you may have to walk with your luggage to the airport.

Or, you may have to call an Uber. Although ride-sharing is a great option for people who live near the airport, they’re expensive, especially for business travelers who fly out often. If you’re really out of luck, you may have to take the bus, which can be uncomfortable with luggage. 

3. Less walking to the airport
Since you’re booking last minute, you’ll likely have to park far away from the entrance, which requires you to rush to your flight with your luggage. While this would be cumbersome for a smaller airport, larger airports can increase your walk time by 10 minutes or more.

10 minutes could make the difference between being in your seat and missing the plane. If you’re lucky, you may have access to a hotel with a shuttle, but you won’t know if the service is on-time or running consistently unless you’re about to do your research.

4. Compare difference services
When we book at the last minute, we often default to the most convenient option: the airport itself. However, parking directly at the airport will be more expensive than other, slightly less convenient options, like hotel parking, parkade parking, or economy/discount parking.

Since airport parking is seen as more trustworthy, you may book with them regardless, even if you find a cheaper alternative. You won’t have the time to compare reviews or search different websites for what you need unless you look for parking services well in advance.

5. Better prices, better spots
All airports gouge their last-minute customers. While this practice is unfair, it’s what you have to work with, so it’s best to beat the system when you can. You can bargain for better rates when you book in advance, which is especially important for secured, long-term parking spaces.

Last-minute spaces are often short-term, meaning you have to triple, sometimes quadruple, book parking for your trip. Unless you’re in a Frequent Flyer Miles program or you snagged free airport parking, you’ll save more money booking off-lot, even if you book a day before the flight.

6. Increased security
If you’re parking your car for longer than three days, security should be your top priority. Open airport parkades are broken into constantly, and you don’t want to return from your relaxing vacation or conference only for your vehicle to be gutted, trashed, or completely unusable. 

Parking at the last minute requires you to settle for whatever service an airport, hotel, or parkade offers, but if you want your car to stay in good shape, you at least need 24-hour surveillance. Ideally, your parking spot should have a roof, gate, security guards, and an on-site mechanic. 

Photo by K HOWARD from Pexels

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