phl airport parking xmas week

[chrisd596]

Leaving the 26th of december. Do you think I'd have problems parking at the airport in long term parking.

thanks
chris

 

[chrisd596]

Help?
Thanks
chris

 

[snoopy5386]

If I were you I would skip the airport's long term parking and go with an off airport parking company. We used the long term parking once and it was fine. However on the return trip the shuttle buses going to the parking lot were packed. We were able to get on one at Terminal B. By the time we got to Terminal D, the bus was totally packed. This woman squeezed on with her kids and told us that she had been waiting an hour to get on a bus, by the time they got to her, they were all totally full. They start at Terminal A and go in order, so if you are not at an early terminal you might have to deal with a situation like that. Hearing her story was enough for us to switch to a private parking lot. Some of them are even closer to the airport than the economy lot. They work like this, you drive in and park, a shuttle bus picks you up at your car (no walking to a bus stop) and takes you to the airport. When you return from your trip you call them (from a cell, payphone, or courtesy phone) and they come get you, and drop you off at your car. Very easy and quick. Some places have indoor garages if you are worried about digging your car out of the snow and some will wash your car for you if you stay a certain # of days. They are about the same price, maybe $1 more a day than economy. Last time we had a coupon and AAA discount, so it was the same price!! We use ampco express, here are some links to other companies. Also, you can make a reservation in advance, so you are guaranteed a spot!!

http://www.priorityairportparking.com/
http://www.avistarparking.com/Home.aspx
http://www.ampcoexpress.com/locations/phl.htm
www.sunpark.com
www.colonialparking.com

 

[johnnyr]

Originally posted by chrisd596
Leaving the 26th of december. Do you think I'd have problems parking at the airport in long term parking.

Two years ago we left on 12/26 and attempted econo parking at PHL. We were there at 5:00am and the lot was full. They gave us a voucher to use the garage parking for the same price as the econo lot. Maybe we just got lucky, but I would have a second choice just in case.

 

[chrisd596]

Snoopy:
Thanks for the help! Out of the one's you suggested which one's are the closest! Which one's have you parked in?

Thanks
chris

 

[snoopy5386]

i have used ampco express. It is maybe a 5 minute ride away from the airport and good service too!

 

[chrisd596]

Can you make reservations a head of time? Do they need to hold it on a credit card.
thanks
chris

 

[brettb]

We used Winner this past June -- granted it wasn't busy season, but it was great. We made the reservations through AirportParkingReservation.com. You pay one day up front and a small service charge ($4), but the rate is discounted from Winner's standard rate. ( It's $6.89/day at the moment; I think that's what we paid.)

Winner was a "valet" service and I really liked it. You drive to their lot, check in, and one of their drivers gets into your car and drives you to the terminal. He helped unload the bags (which the SkyCap checked in for our SouthWest flight). On the way home, you call them for pickup. They ask you to call once you have your bags--apparently some people call as soon as they get off the plane and the Winner driver can end up waiting a long time. I'd recommend calling sometime in between. When we fly Southwest in December, I'll probably call once we're down to baggage claim while we wait for our bags. We ended up waiting a bit (10-15 minutes) last time. They help you load your bags back into the car as well.

We opted for the "Express" return service. For an extra $10 or so, when they bring your car back to the airport upon your return, you can just drive away rather than ferrying the driver back to the parking lot.

It was really nice not having to deal with a bunch of suitcases on a shuttle bus with just my wife and a 5 year old. And the only thing that I think really cost more than the non-valet services was the express service on arrival. I'd imagine that in winter it'd be nice to have the car warmed up when you get into it, too--even if you do ferry the driver back to the lot.

Here's their direct link but I'm pretty sure it's noticably cheaper if you make the reservation through Airport Parking Reservations. Also, I'm not sure if they mention it in the directions, but they're behind the Winner Lincoln and Cadillac dealer.

Keep in mind that there's a 15% City Parking Tax. Our total without tips for 8 days including the express drop off was $77.04.

I liked them and we expect to use them in December but your mileage may vary, of course.

Brett

 

[drgnfly30]

We usually use Ampco, with no problems... they even have a $1.00 off each day coupon that you can print off their website. A very good friend of mines husband (& son) own Winner Valet so I can vouch for them as well...

Christine

 

[mom2of2]

Thanks for the info on Winner! I just booked with them for my trip tomorrow! How much did you tip the driver? It's just 2 of us with one bag each.

Thanks!!

 

[brettb]

Originally posted by mom2of2
Thanks for the info on Winner! I just booked with them for my trip tomorrow! How much did you tip the driver? It's just 2 of us with one bag each.

Thanks!!

I can't rmember for sure, but I think I gave a $10 tip to the guy who dropped us off at the airport and probably the same to the guy that picked is up. It was thee of us with 4 suitcases, I think, plus our carry-ons, which we handled ourselves.

Of course mom2of2 will probably get home before she sees this!

Brett