What's the most important factor you consider when parking at or near the airport??

[MELoffairpark]

Airline travellers, and invariably our customers, come from all walks of life ... from regular professionals flying weekly for business, your typical budget-conscious mums & dads taking the kids away all the way to struggling 19 or 20 year olds about to set off on their first overseas adventures or retirees who are seeing the world, travelling a lot but tending to take longer trips. Like all of us, each of these customers have different priorities and what one values the most when making a decision another may not even consider at all. And when it comes to making a decision about where to park at or near the airport, the over-riding factor is usually what we value the most and is usually something we would not compromise on. From almost 12 years in the industry, this is generally one of the four factors listed below, but if there's something else entirely feel free to add it ... trends change over time and what people valued almost 10 years ago may not even be relevant today. So, regardless of which factor you relate to most, or if its something else entirely, it would be interesting to hear what people think and especially how this changes from one person to the next ... you can just post your answer, make a comment or ask me a question. If you fall into one of these four factors you have, unwittingly, almost pretty much decided where your business will go ... you don't know it yet, but for those interested I will explain next Monday on why valuing one of these points more than the others pushes you towards one sector of the market or the other. Thanks and hope to hear your thoughts ...

THE LOWEST RATE ... I'll go wherever will save me money; I'm on a budget and the cheapest option is important to me.

CONVENIENCE ... I want to be as close to the terminal as possible & will pay a premium for it.

SECURITY ... I will find where I think my car will be the safest while I'm away & stay loyal unless its damaged; cost is irrelevant.

OVERALL SERVICE ... I value customer service & will keep coming back if its good. I don't mind if it costs a few $$ extra provided I get value-for-money.

 

[Denali]

Re: What's the most important factor you consider when parking at or near the airport

....... the over-riding factor is usually what we value the most and is usually something we would not compromise on..........

In almost 20yrs, we have only parked at the airport once. I have always used a car/driver service, even before Uber was invented.

Even when we have friends/family arrive at Sydney airport, I send the driver to pick them up because its a waste of my time and no financial benefit to me to drive/park/greet and transport home.

 

[stoneman]

Re: What's the most important factor you consider when parking at or near the airport

Convenience - part of my travel experience.

 

[JohnK]

Re: What's the most important factor you consider when parking at or near the airport

I've parked at SYD airport long term car park in the past and find it a little expensive.

I would go for a combination of lowest rate and convenience. Most car parks appear to be secure.

 

[TomVexille]

Re: What's the most important factor you consider when parking at or near the airport

Price and convenience.

Although excellent service is something I'm willing to pay extra for (in all aspects of life)

 

[MELoffairpark]

Re: What's the most important factor you consider when parking at or near the airport

I've parked at SYD airport long term car park in the past and find it a little expensive.

I would go for a combination of lowest rate and convenience. Most car parks appear to be eecure.

Thanks for your feedback JohnK ... SYD lacks as many offsite operators as the likes of MEL or BNE due to SYD's proximity to the city and suburbia. The fewer competitors around the higher the price can go. Re your last sentence, there's secure and then there's SECURE!! Most will have a fence around them but what happens at night? Is it well-lit? If the operation closes (many do 11pm-4am) is the site monitored or left alone in the dark?? If you find yourself asking these questions when you're dropping your car off and the price just seems too low to be true, it probably is.

 

[MELoffairpark]

Re: What's the most important factor you consider when parking at or near the airport

Price and convenience.

Although excellent service is something I'm willing to pay extra for (in all aspects of life)

Thanks TomVexille ... In MEL your most convenient is the multi-storey opposite the terminal, a 1-3 minute walk to the terminal but will set you back at least $57 for one day and push direct into triple figures for 2, so with one you tend to lose the other, but not always. And many agree with you ... especially once they've experienced a quality service first hand, they're more than willing to pay a little extra for the ongoing privilege.

 

[Deleted member]

What's the most important factor you consider when parking at or near the air...

I'm based in BNE, for short stays (away) I park onsite and go for the most convenient.
If however I am going to be away for a longer time, I consider either a limo/cab (I hate taxis) or get a family member ( daughter usually) to drive me in my car, at my cost for fuel and tolls.
I don't believe the ( supposed) saving is worth the effort to,park off site in a nearby suburb.
That being said, I've never done it, and I only have anecdotal evidence about joy riders to go on.

 

[MELoffairpark]

Re: What's the most important factor you consider when parking at or near the air...

I'm based in BNE, for short stays (away) I park onsite and go for the most convenient.
If however I am going to be away for a longer time, I consider either a limo/cab (I hate taxis) or get a family member ( daughter usually) to drive me in my car, at my cost for fuel and tolls.
I don't believe the ( supposed) saving is worth the effort to,park off site in a nearby suburb.
That being said, I've never done it, and I only have anecdotal evidence about joy riders to go on.

Thanks GPH ... Of course with most people, regardless of what they value most, there comes a point when driving and parking becomes redundant, depending on how far you are from the airport, what other options you have and how long your trip is. However, note I said "most people" ... one car has been at our MEL facility now for 13 months, and we regularly have customers park up to 6 months, but beyond that they're few and far between. The relative or friend is of course everyone's cheapest option, but can get tricky if flights are at awkward hours and many simply prefer not to ask if they have to.

Of course we all have preferences but I have worked in the industry in BNE and there are several very well-run and reputable off-airport car parks that are around 4.5km, or approx 7 minutes, away from the airport that will take good care of your car as well as save you money. A couple of these operators have been in business 10-15+ years and have excellent reputations. You needn't worry about the joy riders at all; in my 12 years managing several facilities I have never had an instance of it, nor has it happened to a competitor (staff talk to staff, managers to managers like any industry). The reality is it simply doesn't happen, and on the extreme chance it did, my bet is you'd have more chance of winning lotto.