Melbourne Airport Parking revenue grab?

[Human]

The Value (ie. long-term) carpark at Melbourne Airport has traditionally been (to my knowledge) one of the cheapest in the country, charging $12 per 24-hour period. It has meant that parking for a weekend getaway has cost only $24, and the 2-hour grace period for online bookings has made it even better value.

However, twice now I've noticed something disturbing. When I put in my dates and times for a 48-hour period or less, the only options that come up are for the Terminal Parking and more expensive options:



But when I increase the booking time to 48 hours and 30 minutes (ie. I take the booking into the 3rd 24-hour period), the Value Car Park option comes up again:



It used to be that I could book the Value car park for 24 hours or less for $12, or 48 hours or less for $24. But it appears that Melbourne Airport has quietly removed this option? Or is it only for some periods? There's nothing on the Melbourne Airport Parking website about this.

Can anyone shed any light on this? Is it a permanent change or does it simply reflect high demand on the dates I've been looking at?

 

[Rich]

The Value (ie. long-term) carpark at Melbourne Airport has traditionally been (to my knowledge) one of the cheapest in the country, charging $12 per 24-hour period. It has meant that parking for a weekend getaway has cost only $24, and the 2-hour grace period for online bookings has made it even better value.

However, twice now I've noticed something disturbing. When I put in my dates and times for a 48-hour period or less, the only options that come up are for the Terminal Parking and more expensive options:

View attachment 401886

But when I increase the booking time to 48 hours and 30 minutes (ie. I take the booking into the 3rd 24-hour period), the Value Car Park option comes up again:

View attachment 401887

It used to be that I could book the Value car park for 24 hours or less for $12, or 48 hours or less for $24. But it appears that Melbourne Airport has quietly removed this option? Or is it only for some periods? There's nothing on the Melbourne Airport Parking website about this.

Can anyone shed any light on this? Is it a permanent change or does it simply reflect high demand on the dates I've been looking at?

I have just put in next weekend and the $24 option comes up. Tried a few options and all worked fine. What weekend are you looking at?

 

[Human]

this has happened a couple of times but the weekend I put in today is Nov 22-24. Previously I tried Oct 18-20.

 

[MelMel]

Interesting, 2 x 24 hours over three days shows $12 per 24hrs midweek but not over Friday Sat Sun. I don’t know how often they do it but T&C’s we’re updated July 24 but no mention of days
Edit: I guess this covers them

 

[aikman]

Don't tell anyone but the drive-up price at the Value car park is $12 per 24 hrs. No need to book ahead. The website is obviously misdirecting people to more expensive options.

 

[Dmac59]

Maybe just demand for your dates.
Just did a dummy run less than 48 hrs on a weekend in September and got the $24 Value (Long Term) offer.

 

[Human]

Don't tell anyone but the drive-up price at the Value car park is $12 per 24 hrs. No need to book ahead. The website is obviously misdirecting people to more expensive options.

There's no need to book ahead, but on the other hand...

• If you don't book ahead you don't get the 4-hour grace period (2 hours on either end of the booking). Over time, this can save quite a bit of money.
• There have been several occasions (especially since the roadworks began) when the Value carpark has been sold out and people who haven't booked ahead have been directed to the much more expensive Terminal park.

So historically booking ahead has been worthwhile. But of course if they're going to force people who book ahead to the Terminal carparks anyway, the equation changes.

Post automatically merged: Aug 11, 2024

Maybe just demand for your dates.
Just did a dummy run less than 48 hrs on a weekend in September and got the $24 Value (Long Term) offer.

Well, I guess it's some relief if we're forced to the Terminal carpark only for some times and not for all of them!