Finding Melbourne Airport Parking on New Year’s Day would be easy when you book in advance.

I selected New Year’s Day to fly out of Melbourne Airport in order to spend seven days on the Gold Coast with my loved ones.

I had seen in the RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) website that they had a deduction for their members for airport parking. And So I headed to the RACV website and found the following:

“Jetport security parking – self park
Location: Tullamarine, Melbourne, Victoria
Jetport Self Park offers safe secure undercover parking in a modern multi story car park with easy access and efficient check in. On demand courtesy bus service will get you to and from Tullamarine Airport 24hrs, 7days per week. Located at 189 South Centre Road, Tullamarine, approximately 3-4 minutes from Tullamarine Airport.” (from the RACV website – http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/Internet/Primary/travel/airport parking _ transfers/jetport security parking – self park )

Jetport: Cheap Melbourne Airport Parking

They were promoting Jetport Self Parking and for the week that I was away it was a $10 discount for the airport parking which was close to a 10% drop in price. So all I had to do was to fill out a form on the RACV website, pay of course, and get my code that let me into the airport parking. They emailed me the code and directions for how to get there and how to use the code. So all I had to do was load the car and get there on time. I found it interesting that they referred to Melbourne Airport as Tullamarine Airport. It is located in Tullamarine but is now generally referred to as Melbourne Airport.

I arrived at Jetport Self Parking and pulled over at the boom gate to place my code in and as I registered the actual 2nd digit a male employee quizzed me if I had inserted the code on the keypad. Not a friendly smile or “welcome to Jetport Self Parking”, simply “have you placed your code into the pad?” After the boom gate went up I drove in and the gentleman required for me to park to unload our luggage. We alighted and took out the cases and then he commenced reloading them in to a waiting mini van. Then I needed to choose a car park for myself, so I drove straight down the initial section, then the second one and lastly ended on the roof where the only airport parking was to be found. I remembered thinking that on the Jetport Self Parking web site they publicize a $10 reduction if you park your car on the roof. I then hopped into the elevator and went to the ground floor where the mini van was waiting. From the time I first parked to when I was delivered at the Jetstar terminal was 16 minutes and 25 seconds. It was a good travel time for airport parking that is not based at Melbourne Airport proper. I’d personally have thought that Jetport Self Parking would be trying to get the customer from the airport parking to Melbourne Airport with an enjoyable experience. I would describe the man we had as business like, efficient and brusque who was more concerned with the job than the customer he was serving.

We had a fantastic time at Sandy Point Beach Resort, in Labrador, on the Gold Coast.

Melbourne Airport to the Airport Parking

When we returned to Melbourne Airport we retrieved our bags and telephoned Jetport Self Parking for our pick up. We didn’t wait long for the mini van to reach us and he checked who was waiting patiently and made sure to collect those individuals who were on his checklist. The bags were packed and off we went. It took 16 minutes and 5 seconds to get to my car at the airport parking from the point in time I called for the pick up at Melbourne Airport. As I drove the car down to the bottom floor to get the bags I tossed up if I’d ask for the $10 discount for parking out in the open. In my mind it was reasonable to obtain the discount since the airport parking I paid for was undercover as stated on the RACV website and I clearly had parked out in the weather. Well, I thought here was a opportunity for Jetport Self Parking to rise to the occasion and give me the extra discount as I did not get precisely what I had bought. So I made my way to the office where two gentlemen were sitting having a conversation. I told them that I had prepaid for undercover parking and had parked outside in the weather. They asked me if I had bought by way of RACV and my response was yes. They then declared that I had been given my discount through RACV when I purchased. I then revealed that I had given money for undercover airport parking, nonetheless they answered that you only have one discount. So I purposely questioned yet again for a third time, so you will not give me a reduction of $10 for parking in the open air? The response was a definite NO! So this raises a dilemma of RACV offering a venue for a service that they, I assume, get paid a commission for, that isn’t provided as stated.

From my experience, I draw the following conclusion: that Jetport Self Parking is more enthusiastic about the bottom line of making the dollar than developing a circle of happy satisfied customers that return for more business and tell their friends of the exceptional service they received. This I find very disappointing as they have great facilities. I hope they can turn this around so everyone enjoys the encounter.

I saw a Google advertisement (21/11/10) that stated: “Cheapest Airport Parking Melbourne, No Gimmicks Always cheap Free Shuttle to terminals 24 hours”.

Commercial Drive Airport Parking claim that they are the less than all of their competitors

Commercial Drive Airport Parking strives to offer high quality service with a friendly touch. They get their customer to and from the Melbourne Airport terminal with efficiency, and while you are enjoying your holiday they take care of your car with 24 hour security. Short Term parking, both outdoor and indoor, as well as Long Term Parking both outdoor and indoor are available. The Melbourne Airport Parking operators (same as Tullamarine Airport Parking operators), as with, Commercial Drive Airport Parking  have a free pick up and delivery service to and from the Melbourne Airport terminals.

Commercial Drive Airport Parking Deals

If your company has frequent travellers that require their services an account can be arranged. Cheap rates are available for: Defence personnel, people specialising in FIFO mining services and Police. Commercial Drive is striving to improve their level of service by welcoming suggestions that will provide a better deal for their customers.

Melbourne Airport Parking Operators Need a Booking

“Parking Full” signs can be seen outside some of the operators gates on occasions,  so you need to book in before you arrive. Commercial Drive Airport Parking offer booking by telephone and online, but payment is made on arrival at 38 Allied Drive, Tullamarine. Major credit cards are accepted: American Express, Mastercard and VISA  and the cost should be low as they advertise the Cheapest Airport Parking. Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine Airport)  is 5 minutes away, so they ask that you arrive 10 minutes before you need to arrive at the Melbourne Airport terminal. Time to pay and load your luggage into the waiting bus. The shuttle bus operates all day and night, every day of the year, so they are always available to pick you up or drop you off at Melbourne Airport. The Melbourne Airport Parking operators generally base their parking rates on a per calendar day or part thereof. All rates are inclusive of GST. The rate is cheaper the longer you stay. Indoor parking starts at $18 per day down to $5/day and the Outdoor parking: $15/day to $4/day (as of 21.11.2010). View the website for up to date information. Motorcycles are charged $15.00 for the first day and $5.00 per day thereafter. Caravans and boats etc., are welcome.

Cheapest Airport Parking at Commercial Drive Airport Parking

The Cheapest Airport Parking save money for other Services

Commercial Drive Airport Parking also offers: fitting new tyres, servicing of vehicles, repair panel work, car detailing and paint work. Get a quote and let them finish it while you are away. With the Cheapest Airport Parking at Commercial Drive Airport Parking price you will have extra money for the other services.

Terms and Conditions for Melbourne Airport Parking operators

You need to read the Terms and Conditions of Parking at a Melbourne Airport Parking Operator. They are all similar and I found them very interesting to read. Take your time and read the Terms and Conditions of any service you engage as you will be informed as to your rights. Commercial Drive Airport Parking is conveniently located and they are eager to provide the best possible service at the Cheapest Airport Parking price.

Cheap Airport Parking offered by United Airport Parking

Cheap airport parking is feasible when you park at United Airport Parking. On the corner of Melrose and Trade Park Drive, Tullamarine; although the entrance is in Trade Drive. It is a cinch to find, considering, attached to United Airport Parking is the Mantra Tullamarine Hotel. The Mantra Tullamarine Hotel (grey) is the only tall building in the area and therefore can be seen from a distance. It also has a distinctive sign at the top of the building. This hotel can cater for your needs should you arrive at United Airport Parking with time to spare. The Bar & Restaurant has beautiful surroundings and is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch & dinner.

United Airport Parking Self Parking

When you arrive at the complex you stop at the security boom gates, get a ticket or use your credit card, then park and secure your vehicle. Once parked, luggage unloaded, vehicle locked and your keys in your pocket, you will find that one of the four free courtesy buses (valet service / shuttle bus) will be ready, on the ground floor, to take you to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine Airport). The courtesy buses operate every day from 4.00am to 2.00am and the car park is accessible all of the time. Self parking is a part of the deal of cheap airport parking and you have monitored security cameras on all floors and there are staff on each floor all of the time.

On your return to Melbourne Airport, retrieve your bags, and simply phone United Airport Parking on the toll free or local number that is on the back of your ticket. A courtesy bus (valet service / shuttle bus) will be sent to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine Airport) and pick you up immediately, from Bus Zone 1 and Bus Zone 6 at the Melbourne Airport Arrival Terminals.

The Cheap Airport Parking provided by United Airport Parking is a fantastic service for when you fly out of Melbourne Airport situated in Tullamarine.

Melbourne Airport Parking Resources

Melbourne Airport Parking provides you with the resources you need to get parking when you fly out of Melbourne Airport.

Fifteen companies provide services for you. Some provide extra services for your car while you are away (e.g., car serviced, washed, detailed) or you just want a budget price for your parking.

Airport Parking Resources

When you fly out of Melbourne, Airport Parking resources, are as follows:

1. Airport Corporate Smartpark, 4-8 Sabre Court, Tullamarine
2. Alpha Car Parking, 33 Catalina Drive, Tullamarine
3. Andrew’s Airport Parking, 247 Mickleham Road, Tullamarine
4. Commercial Drive, 38 Allied Drive, Tullamarine
5. Europcar Airport Parking, 157 Mickleham Rd, Tullamarine
6. Ezy Airport Parking, Cnr Freight & Mickleham Rd, Tullamarine
7. Good Year Parking, 11 Garden Drive Tullamarine
8. Jetbay, 5 Western Avenue, West Meadows
9. Jetport Self Parking, 189/D South Center Road, Tullamarine
10. Jetport Valet Parking, 33 Freight Road, Tullamarine
11. Melbourne Airport, Melbourne Airport
12. Melrose Airport Parking, 390 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine
13. Parking Port, 225 Lionel Street, Airport West
14. Pink Elephant Airport Parking, 7 Garden Drive, Tullamarine
15. United Airport Parking Pty Ltd, Cnr Melrose & Trade Park Drive, Tullamarine

We will discuss each of these choices at Melbourne Airport Parking in future articles.

Try MelbourneAirportParking.biz for further information.