If you just booked a trip and snagged your airline tickets, the next step is to book off-site airport parking. Today we’ll list the most common off-site airport parking inconveniences so you can avoid them. That’s why it’s so important to reserve valet parking well in advance. Indeed, DTW airport parking is the best way to avoid stress when you’re traveling, as it takes one less thing off your plate.
Sure, you could hire a limo to bring you to the airport, or leave your car in one of the main garages. However, you’ll pay through the nose. There’s a reason so many people choose to park off-site, and that’s because it’s the most cost effective option. You’re already spending a fortune on your trip. Why shell out more money when you don’t have to?
From oversold spaces to long shuttles waits, you may have had a bad experience with a sub-par off-site parking provider. With us, you can stretch your budget and enjoy a stress-free process. Check out the top airport parking mistakes that can sap your patience while draining your wallet.
1. Oversold Spaces
This common scenario can lead to a lot of headaches. However, many parking lots will oversell their spaces to offset the risk that they will be stuck with some no-shows. However, what if it’s a good day and everyone shows up to snag a space? This is a huge frustration for those who planned ahead and already paid for their space but can’t find one due to overcrowding. Now you’re driving around stressed wondering where you’ll park and if you can get your money back.
Scrambling to find parking at the last second is not how you want to start off your trip. Even worse, you shelled out good money for last-minute parking problems that were not your fault to begin with.
Oversold lots are very common on peak travel days, such as spring breaks, holiday weekends, and February and April school vacations. It can be a challenge for parking lots to adequately keep track of the spaces they sold, especially when they have to juggle deals with third-party reservation sites. The result? They accept more drive-up customers than they should. Not only do they have a chance at filling up spots, they can ask for higher rates because desperate last-minute travelers are willing to pay a premium — much more than you initially paid.
How can you prevent this from happening? You can:
- Book with a more reputable, larger parking lot chain. They tend to have better parking space-tracking procedures. Also, because they care a lot more about their customer ratings and online reputation, they go the extra mile to appease parking guests who are upset about any oversights on their end. Making a quick buck isn’t as important as keeping their loyal customers happy.
- Plan enough time to get to the airport. Give yourself another half hour beyond what you normally would just in case you have to find an alternate parking solution when a reservation doesn’t work out.
- Have a plan B to run on, particularly if you’ll be there on a peak travel day.
2. Long Shuttle Waits
One of the more annoying thing about parking at off-site lots is the risk of waiting around for a shuttle to take you to the terminal. Sure you could walk, but that takes a lot of time, patience, and energy, especially with kids or elderly parents in tow. Most airport parking lots, including Valet Connections, provide complimentary shuttles to and from terminals. We have punctual shuttle times (every 10 to 15 minutes or so) but not all do.
Prompt shuttle times can make the difference between making your flight on time and missing it. Here’s how you can speed up your parking experience:
- Budget plenty of time, not just to catch a shuttle but to get to your terminal.
- Call the lot ahead of time to find out the current shuttle wait times. The parking lot attendants should be able to tell you if the wait times will be shorter or longer at the time you plan to arrive.
- Call ahead of time if flying after hours. While many lots claim to have 24/7 shuttle service, they may be sparse due to skeleton crews on duty in the middle of the night.
- Ask your attendant if there is an app you can download to track shuttle times. Here at Valet Connections, we have an app where you can check the wait times on our shuttle tracker.
3. Damage
The last thing you want to see on your vehicle after returning from a trip is a ding, dent, scratch or cracked taillight. Accidents happen, even though you placed your trust in your parking lot attendants to protect the car while you were gone. Whether you self-parked or used a valet service, freak accidents can and do occur.
Many less than reputable parking providers may try to claim they are not responsible for these acts. Here’s what you can do to prevent this from happening:
- Snap photos of your car, inside and out, prior to leaving for your trip.
- Read the fine print to understand the lot’s policies beforehand.
- Call ahead to find out how big the spots are, as many lots have smaller than usual spaces so they can pack more cars in.
- Choose covered parking lots rather than open air lots. While dings can still occur from nearby cars, at least you don’t have to worry about bird droppings, weather, and debris.
Contact Valet Connections DTW Parking
As you plan your DTW airport parking in advance, we hope you found these tips to be helpful. Hopefully, you can avoid these top headaches and ensure that your off-site parking experience is a positive one. Ready to book your parking spot? Contact us at (734) 992-4946. Located close to Metro Detroit Airport, we offer affordable and convenient airport parking for stress-free flights.