FAQ: Flying Out of Buffalo OR Detroit

[lovemyboys2009]

I was wondering if anyone knows much about the nexus passes? we obtained ours and wanted to make sure that they were going to be enough to fly with? we are flying within the US, but wasn't sure as Canadians if we would have to have a passport or not......?????

 

[CanadianPaco]

I was wondering if anyone knows much about the nexus passes? we obtained ours and wanted to make sure that they were going to be enough to fly with? we are flying within the US, but wasn't sure as Canadians if we would have to have a passport or not......?????

We go for our interview tomorrow. If you google Nexus and go to the US website, you'll find all the info you need. We have passports but want the Nexus card for quicker bridge crossings... especially into to Port Huron!

 

[kjetjl]

There is not much around the Detroit airport. There are restaurants and hotels. We paid $109 to stay over at the Marriott but we were flying at 7:00am, that included breakfast and parking at the Qwik Park. CAA/AAA works at many places. If it was me I would check for the best park n fly rate, then drive down earlier in the day.

Hey, did you stay at the Fairfield by any chance?
What time did you leave the hotel to get the 7 o'clock flight?
Was there breakfast foods out that early?


thanks for any info.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Anyone try thr Days Inn Detroit, at the airport? Any feedback?

 

[phabric]

I have the Best Western booked for Oct 8/09 for $82.99+taxes (1 night for 3 adults) with a Park & Fly stay. Booked directly with hotel online, cheaper than using www.ParkSleepFly.com. They have a shuttle and contintenal breakfast.

Has anybody stayed there.

 

[formill]

We stayed there last November before a flight-room was small but clean and fine. Breakfast was fair enough for the price of room (waffles, fruit etc) and started very early (4:30 am or so). Shuttle was good and no waits they picked us up within a few minutes of calling on the return. We did have to park our van around the corner of the hotel where there was no pavement but was still right at the hotel not a different lot- it was not an issue for us in November as there was no snow at the time. Could walk to Denny's for a meal. We are staying there again this December.

 

[NikP]

We stayed there last November before a flight-room was small but clean and fine. Breakfast was fair enough for the price of room (waffles, fruit etc) and started very early (4:30 am or so). Shuttle was good and no waits they picked us up within a few minutes of calling on the return. We did have to park our van around the corner of the hotel where there was no pavement but was still right at the hotel not a different lot- it was not an issue for us in November as there was no snow at the time. Could walk to Denny's for a meal. We are staying there again this December.

Not sure, Where did you stay??

 

[formill]

Sorry........Best Western BUFFALO,NY

 

[DVC_Kds]

Thanks for the information!

 

[jenbear123]

Can someone explain how the parking process at Buffalo airport works? Do you pay before you leave or when you are leaving the lot? Are there signs that direct you to the lot? It will be our first time flying out of Buffalo and we don't want to be lost! We want to be able to park in the Long Term A or B lots. Thank you!

 

[Ginzu]

Can someone explain how the parking process at Buffalo airport works? Do you pay before you leave or when you are leaving the lot? Are there signs that direct you to the lot? It will be our first time flying out of Buffalo and we don't want to be lost! We want to be able to park in the Long Term A or B lots. Thank you!

Parking at BIA is pretty straightforward. There's lots of big signage for each of the different lots. You pay upon exiting the parking lot, so just have your coupon ready when you exit.

We went last January and found much, much easier than Pearson. Just make sure you park in an actual spot - it was so snow covered when we went that I guess I parked in an invalid spot. I paid a $30 fine but given the less hassles getting through the airport, it was worth it

 

[jenbear123]

Parking at BIA is pretty straightforward. There's lots of big signage for each of the different lots. You pay upon exiting the parking lot, so just have your coupon ready when you exit.

We went last January and found much, much easier than Pearson. Just make sure you park in an actual spot - it was so snow covered when we went that I guess I parked in an invalid spot. I paid a $30 fine but given the less hassles getting through the airport, it was worth it

Thank you so much for that information. I figured there would be plenty of signage but you never know! I have to be sure I'm educated or else my mom won't want to fly out of Buffalo. And I refuse to pay double the cost to have the "privilege" to fly out of Toronto.

Fortunately, we will be travelling at the end of April and won't have to deal with snow (hopefully!) That really stinks about getting a fine after you couldn't see where you were parking in the first place Thanks again for the info!

 

[CanadianPaco]

We flew out of Detroit on this trip and did a hotel/parking deal at the Days Inn Airport location in Detroit. I have to post this... it was aweful!! The first room we stayed in smelled FOUL! Mouldy and putrid! The second room lacked the smell but the bathroom was mouldy! It was late and a Sunday so we decided to stay. The mattresses were paper thin and the continental breakfast was a joke. Stale bread, cereal and pastries...ugh.
We booked this place on a recommendation from my brother. I should have checked it out more thoroughly. So be warned!

 

[Chuckles70]

Has anyone stayed here? For the room for the night and to leave the car there for a week it is going to cost $134. We are going in April and got a great rate of $665 for 4 of us flying with Continental.

 

[mickeyfanatic09]

Best way to go is through Buffalo International. I just did it about 2 weeks ago through Southwest, and no issues at all. They are a great airline, and me and my fiance have been them since 2006 (my first trip to WDW). Any question, feel free to email or message me. Thanks, and good luck.

 

[petbren]

Best way to go is through Buffalo International. I just did it about 2 weeks ago through Southwest, and no issues at all. They are a great airline, and me and my fiance have been them since 2006 (my first trip to WDW). Any question, feel free to email or message me. Thanks, and good luck.

Glad you had a good experience. Did you pay the extra $10 to prebook your seat? this is new since we last flew, so hope to get a seat together without paying more. We have flow SW 3 times before, 2 from buffalo, 1 from detroit and had nothing but good experiences....hope it continues, we leave out of Buffalo in 10 days

 

[Jackie Psarianos]

We live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and used to pay $2500 to fly out of Toronto until we discovered Buffalo. Now we pay roughly $700 for the four of us and save a bundle.

I recommend driving out the day before your departure and staying across the street (Genessee Street) from the airport. We always stay at the Hilton Garden Inn and Suites because we own a Hilton timeshare. They have just built a couple of Mariott's right beside the Hilton. There is a Mac Donald's there also where you can grab a quick bite before you head over to the airport. Further down on Genessee there is also a small Tim Horton's. The Galleria Mall is a short drive away.

We get a discount coupon from the Buffalo International Airport web site and always park in lot B. The shuttles are quick and come within minutes of you parking your car. The airport is modern and very easy to navigate.

Do go inside to check your bags that way you'll avoid the gratuity if you leave them at the outside check in.

 

[mlegerto]

Just for those of you who are worried about flying out of Buffalo.

I have done this countless times (and I am usually traveling with a few other young adults ages 19-22) and I have always had a GREAT time.

We always fly with southwest and have never had a single problem! We check their website regularly (www.southwest.com) and look for some low fares. We grab them when we see / feel that they are low and a decent price. IF the prices decrease after you have purchased you can re-buy the tickets at the new cost. You will not get a cash refund (or a refund on your credit card), but you will get a credit note that will be good for a year (sometimes you can extend them by another 6 months IF you call customer service and ask them to for an upcoming flight)

Hope this information helps everyone.

As for the hotel vs. driving part, we always leave relatively early within the morning (close to 3:30 - 4:00 am). We live in Toronto ontario and drive to buffalo arriving there around 5:30 -6:00 ish and usually try to take the first flight out around 7:30 ish. We have never had a problem so for those of you who do not want to stay at a hotel, this shouldnt be an issue.

We always print the parking coupon from the website and park in parking lot B. When you leave the lot, hand the cashier the coupon (make sure its cut out and down to proper size hee hee) and then pay as you leave. We are usually there for (parking for) 9 - 14 days and it usually cost us approx. $70 or so!

 

[mkmommy]

Detroit Westin at the airport, anyone have good things to say about this hotel?

I was just looking and they have a penny parking special where you can get 10 nights of parking for a penny so for a Friday in March the rate is 119.01, I know I have looked before and the rates were over $200.

We have an early morning flight so thought it would be nice to be able to walk to the airport, is that possible?

 

[maggieb9975]

Detroit Westin at the airport, anyone have good things to say about this hotel?

I was just looking and they have a penny parking special where you can get 10 nights of parking for a penny so for a Friday in March the rate is 119.01, I know I have looked before and the rates were over $200.

We have an early morning flight so thought it would be nice to be able to walk to the airport, is that possible?

Hi there, My oldest DD and I stayed at the Westin last October and REALLY liked it..luxury hotel..we asked for a high floor facing runways and we got to see airplanes take off and land...beautiful rooms and lobby..I have pics if you want....

You can get in to the terminal right from hotel but there are 2 terminals there and we flew out of other one but they had a shuttle.....

That is a great rate you got. I am booked again for October 2010 and ours is way more..I will keep checking for a lower rate...