Creative Way to Eliminate Expensive Airport Parking Fees?

[pamjb]

I have only used them twice and didn't have any problems. The first time I used them in March 07, there appeared to be several business travelers using them. They were busy. I was a little leary at first too, but that is the country girl in me. I can tell you it was great when I got in my already heated van in March. The driver even turned the heated seats on.
There are self-park services also listed at airportparkingreservations.com if you would prefer to go that route.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Don't know if this option is economical but it is convenient. We will be "trying" to sleep at a hotel close to the Atlanta airport the night before our early morning flight to MCO. This hotel would be $85 for just the room. Parking at Hartsfield for our trip would be $40. Luckily, the same hotel we will be at the night before has a park and fly package for $125 with a 24 hour shuttle to the airport. We are paying the same amount for a 1 night stay in the room, to leave our car at the hotel for the entire trip, be dropped off at the terminal, and be picked up as it would be to pay separately for the room and airport parking. We also don't have to drive to the airport, park, get our luggage out, find a tram, etc. Like I said, we are doing this for the convenience.

 

[willoughbyclan]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all of their wonderful suggestions. It was great to hear ideas that I had never thought of.

I think I have decided to use my Marriott points for a (1) night stay to take advantage of the park & fly benefit. The hotel is only (1/2) mile away from the airport. Marriott will provide complimentary shuttle to and from the airport for us. If I use an award for this (1) night I only have to pay the hotel $30.00 to take advantage of the park & fly.

So far I think this is the best idea. We won't be using the room since we are flying down to Orlando the night before we cruise but it is still a much better price than using long term airport parking. I also like the idea of being picked up at the door and dropped off at the door. I think $30 plus tip isn't bad at all. I did check with the hotel directly to see if it would be a problem to shuttle all of (8) of us since the occupancy for the room is (4) and I was told it wouldn't be a problem at all.


So what do you think? Any downside to my plan?

 

[safetymom]

As someone who collects Marriott points that may not be the best use of your points. But if you can live with that then I say go for it.

 

[willoughbyclan]

I totally agree about the best use of the points. I tend to be very selfish with my points as well. My husband and I just cleared out our points for an 11 day trip to Hawaii last September. That was a great use of points. We stayed at the Renaissance, Wailea. However, since we are completely starting over again with collecting of points and we know we won’t be going anywhere that extravagant before 2010 or more, I was OK with it. It will certainly help our already huge budget for the DCL repositioning cruise. It makes the value I am getting for 10,000 pts $105.00 (cost of parking minus Marriott $30 fee).

I was trying to focus on this trip’s budget rather than future trips at this time since this trip is sooooooooo.........expensive.

However, I do appreciate your thoughts, we certainly think alike in regards to points.

 

[bavaria]

As someone who collects Marriott points that may not be the best use of your points. But if you can live with that then I say go for it.

Yet again, 'what she said'