Valet Parking - How To Make Your Holiday That Bit More Bearable..!
- Date: 2010-09-07 - Word Count: 633
Share This!
Before I go on any holiday I tend to go through a ritualistic set of behaviours. Up to 1 week prior to setting off I realise I haven't set up any form of travel insurance, I panic about the fact that I might have forgotten the email address I used to buy the tickets, I fret about finding the very best foreign exchange dealer and I wonder and worry about promising Santa Claws (the family cat also affectionately known as "St Nic") to the neighbours (including a 5 year old little girl). And let's not mention the passport and remaining to do list at work. All in all I'm pretty sure the last thing on my mind is preparation for the day of travel. Or in fact what to do about that old issue of packing 3 suitcases for 2 and a bit people. T-minus 24 hrs (i.e. the time we actually get to the whole travelling part of the trip) I'm pretty much exhausted and brain dead. It's no wonder that by the time I even get to the airport car park I'm ready to just turn around go home and go to bed.
I think you can see where this is going. Travelling is hard work but holidaying?! With a young family it can be extremely stressful and potentially quite a danger to the family dynamic. If anything holidays should probably come with a health warning. This is especially true about parking - you say to yourself every year that you won't do it to yourself but you always find yourself fighting to find a space last minute and spending a small fortune on the pleasure of staying at the airport's finest tarmac checkers board.
Last year it was the last straw - there had to be a better way. I was already at the end of my tether and was seriously considering just staying at home. Maybe paint the room yellow and dream I was on a beach. Fortunately my sanity returned and I decided the best form of defence against this was a strong attack - I decided to do my research and pre-book my airport parking.
So here is the interesting thing - prebooked from any site (including the airport's own websites) offered up to 40% savings on airport car parking. Also the more days booked the better the deal on the parking. They give you the exact position and most even gave you a layout to plan your escape from the car to the shuttle bus. Sounds pretty good I thought - and to be honest when saving 40% on around 14 days you can probably expect to see around £40 savings! But then I delved a little deeper and found the real value came in "Meet and Greet" services.
"Meet and Greet" - otherwise known as valet car parking, is a service that allows you to drop off everyone (luggage and all) off at the terminal building whilst you hand your keys to a chauffer who will park your car on your behalf in a secured premises. Sounds expensive but as it turned out in some cases there were "meet and greet" car parking services that were cheaper than using standard on site car parks! I wanted to make sure this wasn't exclusive to my local so I checked out a few different airports - it seems that yes you can get cheap "meet and greet" services at most airports. For example you can get Gatwick Meet and Greet services for £3 less than prebooking parking on site! The website I used was Park and Go - just check out this page on Gatwick South Airport Parking.
And what do you do after 2 weeks of play? You come back, give them a call as you collect your baggage, pop through customs and find the valet guide waiting! Excellent!
I think you can see where this is going. Travelling is hard work but holidaying?! With a young family it can be extremely stressful and potentially quite a danger to the family dynamic. If anything holidays should probably come with a health warning. This is especially true about parking - you say to yourself every year that you won't do it to yourself but you always find yourself fighting to find a space last minute and spending a small fortune on the pleasure of staying at the airport's finest tarmac checkers board.
Last year it was the last straw - there had to be a better way. I was already at the end of my tether and was seriously considering just staying at home. Maybe paint the room yellow and dream I was on a beach. Fortunately my sanity returned and I decided the best form of defence against this was a strong attack - I decided to do my research and pre-book my airport parking.
So here is the interesting thing - prebooked from any site (including the airport's own websites) offered up to 40% savings on airport car parking. Also the more days booked the better the deal on the parking. They give you the exact position and most even gave you a layout to plan your escape from the car to the shuttle bus. Sounds pretty good I thought - and to be honest when saving 40% on around 14 days you can probably expect to see around £40 savings! But then I delved a little deeper and found the real value came in "Meet and Greet" services.
"Meet and Greet" - otherwise known as valet car parking, is a service that allows you to drop off everyone (luggage and all) off at the terminal building whilst you hand your keys to a chauffer who will park your car on your behalf in a secured premises. Sounds expensive but as it turned out in some cases there were "meet and greet" car parking services that were cheaper than using standard on site car parks! I wanted to make sure this wasn't exclusive to my local so I checked out a few different airports - it seems that yes you can get cheap "meet and greet" services at most airports. For example you can get Gatwick Meet and Greet services for £3 less than prebooking parking on site! The website I used was Park and Go - just check out this page on Gatwick South Airport Parking.
And what do you do after 2 weeks of play? You come back, give them a call as you collect your baggage, pop through customs and find the valet guide waiting! Excellent!
Related Tags: airport car parking, airport
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Top Things to do in Rabat, Malta
There are plenty of things to do in and around Rabat when you travel to Malta. 5 star luxury in your - 4 Sightseeing Highlights of Malta
Malta is a country with many things to see and do, as you will realise when you go on your Malta 5 s - Vacation Rentals - Something For Everyone!
There is no shortage of information on the vacation rental. I've written several articles on the top - Vacation Rentals - a Few Facts
Most everyone has some knowledge of the vacation rental. What I'd like to do here, in the confines o - Exotic Vacation Rentals
Travel is an adventure. In fact, that is why some us travel. Not for the relaxation, not for the cha - Vacation Rental Vs. Hotel
And the winner is….Well, read this, then decide!First, the ubiquitous hotel. Swathed in branded name - Tropical Vacation Homes - Investment or Destination?
Buying a vacation home for investment may be a great idea in these troubled economic times. Be certa - How to Choose a West Rim or South Rim Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
If you want to take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour, you must choose between the West Rim and the Sou - Albuquerque Downtown Hotels Discounts, Deals and Reservations
Providing their guests with the best possible service available, Quality Inn & Suites in downtown Al - Hotel Suites Albuquerque - Online Reservations and Specials
Located in the center of the beautiful and historic town of Albuquerque New Mexico, Clubhouse Inn &
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Brazil's Tourist Attractions
Despite its popularity, Brazil is largely unknown to a lot of people. Other spots around the world h - Visit Ancient Persia, Greece, and North Cyprus with Clearchus of Soli
Tour the Hellenistic remains of Soli in North Cyprus with Clearchus, a student of Aristotle. As he - Exotic Trips - Vacation In Venezuela
Venezuela is a favorite vacation destination. No wonder! For instance, Venezuela is home to the worl - Some Advice When Buying A Travel Cot
A cot is a piece of furniture that is used for babies, infants, campers and travelers. Baby cots are - Marriott Hotels Varied History and An Overview of Properties
Marriott International was established in 1993 when the Marriot Corporation split into two different - Holiday In Cape Town
If you are interested in one of the top vacation destinations in the world, Cape Town may be right f - Hawaii Honeymoon Vacation Packages: Why You Should Purchase One
Are you about to be married within the next year or two? If so, have you started planning your honey - Cancun Weather
Cancun is one of the most well known tropical destinations in the world. Because Cancun is located j - Golf Lovers: Save Money With Hawaii Vacation Golf Packages
Are you one of the millions of Americans who enjoys playing the game of golf? If so, there is a good - Old Town San Diego
The Old Town San Diego Park serves as a way to recreate life in both the early American and early Me