Buffalo parking question

[Hockeychic]

I fly out of Buffalo all the time but always do park and fly well this time our flight leaves late so we will park at the Buffalo Airport.

Anyone know the payment options??? Is it only cash do they take credit cards???

Thanks

Kim

 

[networktek]

the buffalo airport takes both cash and all major credit cards on the buffalo airport website they have a cupon for extend parking with a special rate

 

[Hockeychic]

Oh great thanks for the info. We have set aside the money for parking but once you get to the world you never know how much of it you are going to come home with

 

[Ham Ham]

Link below is to the coupon good at BNIA parking lots.

Coupon is valid until Dec 31, 2008.

http://www.buffaloairport.com/pdfs/BNIA_Parking_Coupon.pdf

 

[angelkk]

Just curious to ask which parking lot is closest to the airport? Any covered parking?

A mechanical question - Is it okay to park the car outdoor in such cold weather?
We planned to leave our car there for 2 weeks in January, and a little worried if the battery will be drained (i.e. cannot start the car) when we are back.

 

[Ham Ham]

Just curious to ask which parking lot is closest to the airport? Any covered parking?

A mechanical question - Is it okay to park the car outdoor in such cold weather?
We planned to leave our car there for 2 weeks in January, and a little worried if the battery will be drained (i.e. cannot start the car) when we are back.

Where do you normally park your car? Our cars spend all winter outside.
Covered parking doesn't mean heated. True your car will have sat idle for a couple of week but that shouldn't be a huge problem.

If your concerned or have issues with starting your car have a mechanic look at your battery and alternator.

 

[shoppgirl]

There are various lots at the Buffalo airport for long term parking. The closest one to the terminal is the Long Term preferred lot ("A" I believe). It is also the most expensive (which is totally relative because the rate at YYZ is more). We always park at A as you can even walk from the terminal to your car if you really wanted to. When we went in August, the lot was pretty full already on a Monday morning, so we had to go to the edge of the lot. A shuttle bus spotted us driving around to find parking and stopped right by the car! We just had to take stuff out of the trunk of the car and put it right on the bus. On the way home, it was early evening, and we didn't want to wait for the shuttle at the terminal and walked back to our car. It's not covered, but it is safe. Park your car so that the hood is facing out so that if you do have issues with your car, you can have easy access to the engine! There's people and lot attendants around to help. To pay is easy, there are different lanes you drive into depending on method of payment. If you plan to use the coupon, get into the COUPON designated lane to pay.

 

[angelkk]

Where do you normally park your car? Our cars spend all winter outside. Covered parking doesn't mean heated. True your car will have sat idle for a couple of week but that shouldn't be a huge problem. If your concerned or have issues with starting your car have a mechanic look at your battery and alternator.

Ham Ham, Thanks Actually you have read my mind - We had a problem with our Nissan Quest mini-van (2004) last week - unable to start the car after shopping in plaza. It was a hassle since we have a small kid and a crying baby in the car. Waited 1.5 hours for CAA (booster), but when we drove home we couldn't start the car again. It turned out that the battery was dead and now we have replaced with a new one.

We usually parked our car in the garage but it is cold in the winter anyways. Just the battery problem last week raised a little concern since this will be our first time parking at airport for over 10 days

The closest one to the terminal is the Long Term preferred lot ("A" I believe)

Shoppgirl, when we return to Buffalo airport, can we hop onto any shuttle, or we have to pick the one visiting Parking Lot "A"?

 

[shoppgirl]

Shoppgirl, when we return to Buffalo airport, can we hop onto any shuttle, or we have to pick the one visiting Parking Lot "A"?

I'm really sorry, but I cannot answer your question as we walked back to our car. I am sure that since you're going in January, you will probably not walk back to your car unless you get that spot or 2 right by the walkway to to the terminal! We have had bad experiences waiting for shuttles to the Park n Fly lot at YYZ where we waited in excess of half an hour for one. Walking back for us was fine. We took the luggage cart with us and left it in the lot rather than return it to the terminal!

I actually quoted you the wrong information, but the lot closest to the terminal is PREFERRED LONG TERM, and the other 2 lots further away are LONG TERM A and LONG TERM B. The difference in price between the 2 lots is quite a bit, especially if you're looking at 10 days. The WEEKLY max at the Preferred is $64 with the coupon, and only $45 for Long Term A. Long Term A is not that much further, especially if you plan on using the shuttle anyways. Hope this helps...

 

[angelkk]

Thanks again shoppgirl! I guess I can ask DH to walk to the parking and drive to the arrival terminal to meet us?

 

[deltachi8]

Shoppgirl, when we return to Buffalo airport, can we hop onto any shuttle, or we have to pick the one visiting Parking Lot "A"?

I used to live in Buffalo and parked using the coupon there often. There is a Preferred Lot (closer and more expensive) and the more economical Long Term A and B. (B is further out).

The shuttles are very efficient and will even lead you to open parking spaces when they are hard to find. When you park, if a shuttle ha snot noticed you yet, you can walk to one of the several small shelters (think bus stops) which are enclosed and there is a way - a button IIRC - to summon the shuttle.

When you return, just get on any shuttle that is operated by the airport and they can take you to your car, no matter which lot it is parked in.

 

[disneyfan2]

If you are planning on paying cash, you could leave it in an envelope with the coupon and leave it hiddin in your car somewhere so you don't spend it

On the return home, you can have DH go get the car or the shuttle to the car, and you can wait for luggage.

One thing, I did this last year, but i could not get to the front of the terminal without paying first. This is what the shuttle guy told me. Unfortunately, my sister in law was holding onto my purse when i left, so i had to take the shuttle back and get my purse. But by that time the rest of the party was waiting out front so they shuttled us all back. It was in Feb and they had a storm, so i thought i could start my van and get it somewhat warmed up before getting everyone back in.

so maybe someone can clarify if you are able to get from the shuttle back to the airport doors without paying first?

 

[shoppgirl]

You cannot exit the lot with your car without paying. The only way to get to the arrivals level of the terminal is by exiting the lot and then driving around. You can walk freely to and from the terminal to lot. That might be a nice idea to get your DH to go out first into the cold to warm up your car for you! It was nice and warm when we went so the walk with the 2 girls and all the luggage was a welcomed one after sitting on the plane for a few hours. I would never do it in January though.