New member can help with MEL airport parking tips, advice & savings!

[MELoffairpark]

We are Elite Airport Parking, a provider of superior off-airport parking located less than 4km, or 6-8 minutes drive, from Melbourne Airport terminals. We look forward to being able to offer general advice or tips and of course savings to AFF members flying out of MEL!! We are always happy to answer any queries you might have, either regarding our facility or services or just on off-airport parking in general, so drop us a line next time you've got a question. We endeavour to get back to you within 24 hours, but in most cases we're much faster. We offer AFF members a saving of 15% off our standard rates, full details can be viewed at the link below:

See thread here for exclusive AFF member savings: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....fers/save-15-melbourne-off-airport-65746.html

 

[boomy]

Any special rates for AFF members?
I'm a regular user of the long term car park.

 

[MELoffairpark]

Any special rates for AFF members?
I'm a regular user of the long term car park.

A general discount off standard rates is available to AFF members & users; just waiting on moderator to approve and post details in "AFF Special Offers" forum as not permitted to post elsewhere.

 

[hummel]

Hopefully it all goes well and is approved.

I've had three sessions in the long term car park in the past 4 weeks!

 

[docjames]

Welcome to AFF.

What is the average wait time and transfer time from your off site parking to the terminal?

 

[MELoffairpark]

What is the average wait time and transfer time from your off site parking to the terminal?

Thank you. In ordinary circumstances, the check-in process in reception takes 3-4 minutes and the trip to the airport 6-8 minutes. Our shuttle buses operate on demand, so even if you are travelling alone and are the only customer we put you on a bus straight away; the only delay in this situation would be where another customer is still completing check-in, so a matter of a minute or two. We do not have a "full bus" policy like some other operators do. On some occasions, generally during peak periods, all buses can be off-site (en route to or from the airport) and generally the longest you will wait for one to return is approximately 5 minutes. Due to ongoing roadwork at Melbourne Airport, along with the construction of the new T4, we presently always recommend that customers arrive with us 30 minutes prior to their requirement at the airport in case of any changed traffic conditions or extreme congestion getting into the airport. Hope this helps!

 

[MELoffairpark]

This offer including promotion code has just been posted in "AFF Exclusive Offers". Thanks.

See here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....fers/save-15-melbourne-off-airport-65746.html

 

[docjames]

Thank you. In ordinary circumstances, the check-in process in reception takes 3-4 minutes and the trip to the airport 6-8 minutes. Our shuttle buses operate on demand, so even if you are travelling alone and are the only customer we put you on a bus straight away; the only delay in this situation would be where another customer is still completing check-in, so a matter of a minute or two. We do not have a "full bus" policy like some other operators do. On some occasions, generally during peak periods, all buses can be off-site (en route to or from the airport) and generally the longest you will wait for one to return is approximately 5 minutes. Due to ongoing roadwork at Melbourne Airport, along with the construction of the new T4, we presently always recommend that customers arrive with us 30 minutes prior to their requirement at the airport in case of any changed traffic conditions or extreme congestion getting into the airport. Hope this helps!

Many thanks for answering - sounds reasonable (and about the same as the on site long term carpark).

 

[MELoffairpark]

Many thanks for answering - sounds reasonable (and about the same as the on site long term carpark).

You're welcome. Happy to answer any further queries. Obviously cannot do so immediately on every occasion but will always reply within 24 hours maximum.

 

[boomy]

After 15% discount rates are similar to long term car park at airport.
Are there any other incentives to use your service instead of airport parking?

 

[MELoffairpark]

We offer a full range of car detailing and servicing options while you are away, along with a host of ancillary services like dry-cleaning, business lounge and more. A full range of services can be viewed at Melbourne Airport Parking - Offsite Airport Parking Melbourne | Elite Airport Parking Melbourne. Our transfers to and from the terminal can actually be much faster (and more comfortable) than pick-up/drop-off at Long Term or Value Long Stay in the airport coach. Our drivers will always assist customers with baggage in both directions, taking it all the way to your car boot on return to the car park if required. As we charge per calendar day (or part thereof) there is generally little to worry about if your flight is delayed, and even if the delay causes you to cross midnight and lapse into the next day we have a 4 hour grace period after midnight free of charge. All of our staff are professional, courteous and helpful and you deal with a person, not a machine. Your car is parked away by an experienced professional without the possibility of a random member of the public parking alongside you and damaging your car. In short, we provide a superior service to parking at Melbourne Airport itself or any of our competitors and without superior pricing. Trust this helps you make your decisions.

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF MELoffairpark!

 

[MELoffairpark]

Welcome to AFF MELoffairpark!

Many thanks ... glad to be aboard!

 

[jlien]

Welcome to AFF MELoffairpark,

I'll take a look the next time I look to book parking.
Typically I use Ace airport parking due to the indoor self park nature. Not particularly fond of the 'valet' type.

Do you offer indoor self park?

 

[MELoffairpark]

Welcome to AFF MELoffairpark
Typically I use Ace airport parking due to the indoor self park nature. Not particularly fond of the 'valet' type.
Do you offer indoor self park?

Thank you jlien. We do not offer an indoor self-park option as it is simply not practical within our facility, although by prior arrangement you are able to self-park outdoor and take your keys with you. Is there a particular reason you don't like the valet parking? I ask because many people believe it is the safer option (taking your keys tends to provide a real sense of security), whereas in my experience far more damage occurs in self-park situations rather than with valet operators parking your car away for you. This is mainly due to the fact that once you self-park you have no idea who will park either side of or how many times it may occur; in a valet operation an experienced professional parks your car along with every other car around it. I'm not denying that damage occurs in valet operations whatsoever; its inevitable and sometimes does occur, however, in those rare situations owners should be notified immediately, permission sought to repair the damage while they are away (time permitting) and the facility meet the cost of repair ... at least that is our process and once which I've had in place for many years in different facilities I've managed. I hope this helps.

 

[moa999]

I think issues like this are why some people don't like valet.

Dashcam snaps rogue car valet at Auckland airport - National - NZ Herald News

 

[MELoffairpark]

I think issues like this are why some people don't like valet.

Dashcam snaps rogue car valet at Auckland airport - National - NZ Herald News

Understandable, and while incidents like this do exist, they are few and far between. The reality of the situation is that people don't seek employment with off-airport parking operators with the sole aim of taking cars for joyrides or mistreating them ... it would be like saying everyone who wants to work for a department store only does so to steal the merchandise. Unfortunately every now and then there is a bad seed that results in a story like this and the perception is that you cannot valet your car because something like that will happen. In this particular instance, had the manager or supervisor been doing their job effectively, even if someone like this had slipped through the cracks during the recruitment process it should not have taken very long at all to identify an issue and deal with it via prompt termination. To think that this sort of behaviour is rife through the industry and goes on day-in, day-out and unchecked is simply not the case.

 

[jlien]

Is there a particular reason you don't like the valet parking?

Primarily, security. Like you say there is a added sense of safety when you take your keys with you. Plus things like coins for parking, gps & ipod in glove box, sunnies etc.
Agree that I'm not necessarily protected from damage, though I do my best to mitigate as much of it as possible.

For obvious reasons I also prefer indoor. Which you do offer.

Perhaps my opinions are baseless and irrational, but when presented with choice, especially when the indoor-self park option isn't much more expensive. I choose the latter.

 

[Bofter]

Welcome to the forum MELoffairpark, as someone who parks off-airport in Melbourne more than 20 times a year I look forward to your continued input.

I also prefer the self-parking option, although in my case it is not so much security as not wanting to have to adjust the seat, steering wheel and mirrors back. For some reason, I can never get it back to my chosen position, which I think is more an issue with me. I do otherwise prefer the better enclosed valet parking as whilst my car is protected from the sun in the self-park option, it seems to have a dust bath each time it is left there for a week.

 

[MELoffairpark]

Primarily, security. Like you say there is a added sense of safety when you take your keys with you. Plus things like coins for parking, gps & ipod in glove box, sunnies etc.
Agree that I'm not necessarily protected from damage, though I do my best to mitigate as much of it as possible.

For obvious reasons I also prefer indoor. Which you do offer.

Perhaps my opinions are baseless and irrational, but when presented with choice, especially when the indoor-self park option isn't much more expensive. I choose the latter.

Certainly not baseless or irrational. As I've said there have certainly been instances of mistreatment and neglect, however, they are by far in the minority and I could safely say that of the Melbourne-based operators I am familiar with, all of them would be a safe and secure place in which to park. I wouldn't hesitate having to leave my own car in their care, or allow any of my own staff to drive and park my car (which they often do). Theft from vehicles is another matter and one that once again comes back to the individual employee. We have been open roughly 16 months and have never had an instance of theft reported to us; on the contrary, several months ago a car detailer handed me $300 cash in $50 notes which he had found under the floormat of a car he was cleaning. When returned to the customer, they had forgotten that they had even withdrawn it some 2-3 months beforehand. On the flipside, in a previous facility I managed when a newly employed staff member started small amounts of money began going missing from the till, then from customers' cars. It was clear to me who was responsible and all that was required was a simple trap laid, which of course he fell into. He was terminated instantly and handed over to police for prosecution, which would be the case with any employee of mine who chose to be dishonest. As you say, however, you have a choice and you choose what suits you best and I don't blame you.