10 Best Ways to Save You Money on Airport Parking

Traveling can get really expensive really quickly. You’ve already paid for your airline tickets, hotel and have allotted funds for food, sightseeing and souvenirs. You shouldn’t have to also worry about how much leaving your vehicle parked at the airport will cost you. Planning for parking fees doesn’t have to be a hassle. We’ve come up with the 10 best ways to save you money on airport parking. We’re taking a look at some of the cheapest airport parking around the country.

1. Reserve in Advance

The number one way to say money when you’re going to be parking at the airport is to book in advance. Most airports offer this service and most will allow people to book parking as far ahead as 60 days.

Booking in advance not only allows you to get cheaper parking, but it guarantees that you will have a space waiting for you when you arrive – even if the lots are listed as “full”. Most of the time, these bookings are fully refundable as long as you cancel or modify within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival. There’s nothing to lose here.

2. Seek Out Discounts

This one might seem obvious, but a lot of times, you can find a discount code for parking if you are booking online. Check websites like Groupon or Retailmenot for current discount codes. Alternatively, many airports offer discounts for members of certain programs such as AARP or AAA. Also feel free to call and ask about discounts for Veterans or First Responders. It never hurts to ask!

3. Check for Park & Ride options

Some airports offer cheaper parking at a lot that is a bit further from the airport grounds. Usually these parking areas allow you to park your vehicle at a cheap rate and provide a complimentary shuttle service to take you to the airport from the lot.

For example, the parking at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport offers ecopark. Ecopark is a separate parking area off the airport property that offers a discounted parking rate. You have the choice of covered and uncovered parking and a shuttle to bring you to the terminals. This is an especially great option for someone who will be parking their vehicle long term.

4. Follow & Check Social Media Accounts

Most airports have social media pages. Before booking your parking, check for any special promotions the airport may be offering. The discounts posted to the pages will be time sensitive so don’t take too long to book. Savings may vary, but any savings amount is better than none!

5. Enroll in a Frequent Parker program

A lot of airports offer a special program for people who travel often. Enrollment is free and it’s easy to rack up points. Points will get you either free or discounted parking for future trips. Even if you don’t travel as frequently as some, it may still be worth it to sign up.

6. Stay at a Local Hotel

Do some research especially if you’ll be staying at a nearby hotel before your trip. There’s a good chance the hotel offers a parking incentive to stay with them. This could be discounted parking at the airport or it could mean leaving your vehicle parked at the hotel at a cheaper rate. Normally, the hotel will provide a complimentary shuttle to the airport.

7. Travel in the Off-season

Obviously, travel around the holidays and in the summer can get pretty chaotic. These are the busiest times of travel during the year and, as a result, you’ll see the pricing reflect that fact. Parking prices tend to see an upward trend during busy times because they are in high demand.

If it can be avoided and your dates are flexible, opt to travel in the Fall or in Spring. The rates are generally cheaper during less popular travel times.

8. Skip the Airport Parking Completely

You always have the option to skip parking at the airport altogether. Instead, opt for a Lyft or Uber to and from the airport to save money. In some areas, taxicabs are an option and some areas have a bus line that will pickup and drop off at the airport. Alternatively, you can look for car parks for rent Parramatta or wherever it is that you're flying from to find a secure car at a more reasonable price. It’s definitely worth it to explore alternative options.

9. Location is Key

If you absolutely must park on airport property, make sure you check the different prices for the different lot options as available on On Air Parking. The general rule of thumb is the closer you park to the terminal, the more expensive parking will be. If you don’t need to pay for the convenience of being close, opt for one of the lots that are further out. Most of the time, there will be a complimentary shuttle available to transport you from the lot to the terminal.

10. Book with a Credit Card

Many credit cards offer some kind of rewards program. This is usually in the form of a statement credit or rewards points. Sometimes these points can be applied to purchases like parking or airline tickets. The Discover it Miles card is a popular choice, as is the Capital One Venture card. Research some different rewards credit cards to find out which will give you the most bang for your buck.

The Bottom Dollar

There are a lot of ways to save money and get cheap airport parking and these methods are just a few. A little research will go a long way to make sure you get the best deal on parking. Make sure to start your research well before your trip. Planning for

parking doesn’t have to be stressful. Doing comparisons of different options is key and

booking in advance will definitely save you money in the long run.