Although travel is an amazing and rewarding experience, the actual process of traveling tends to be less enjoyable. Many of us dislike airports for valid reasons – they are stressful, require early arrival for flights, and everything seems to be overpriced. Nevertheless, there are strategies to optimize both your time and money. If you wish to save on both during your next airport visit, adhere to these recommendations. Let's get to it!
So how is it possible to save time and money while traveling?
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1. Avoid checking bags
The costs associated with checking luggage have risen significantly in recent years. With the exception of Southwest, which permits two checked bags free of charge, most airlines impose fees starting at $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second, and $100 for the third. These fees accumulate over multiple trips. Although paying in advance reduces the expense, it does not factor in the added time spent dropping off and retrieving bags at the airport, nor the potential risk of the airline misplacing your valuable belongings. Opting for a carry-on necessitates traveling lightly and efficiently packing using your Tetris skills, but the peace of mind it brings is always worthwhile.
2. Exchange currency prior to your journey
To steer clear of excessively high service charges and unfavorable exchange rates, it's advisable to convert your currency prior to reaching the airport. To obtain the most advantageous rates, it's recommended to convert your American dollars at your bank or credit union. Additionally, adopting a strategic budgeting approach is essential, as you can always convert the money back if required. In the event of running low on funds, utilizing an ATM is a viable option, but be mindful of potential foreign transaction fees.
3. Enroll for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
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For frequent flyers questioning the value of TSA PreCheck, the answer is a resounding yes. Registering is a straightforward process and requires a payment of $78 for a membership lasting five years. Upon completing the online application, you'll receive an email within a few days informing you of your application's status. Subsequently, you'll be scheduled for a brief in-person interview at one of the local enrollment centers. Once successfully enrolled, you'll have the privilege of bypassing the regular security line, eliminating the need to remove your shoes or take out electronics from your bag.
If you frequently travel abroad, opting for Global Entry grants you all the advantages of PreCheck, while additionally expediting customs screenings upon re-entering the US. Although the application procedure is slightly more challenging, it involves a minimal increase in cost – only an additional $22 compared to PreCheck ($100 for five years).
4. Or enroll for CLEAR
Consider joining CLEAR if you are curious about the distinctions between PreCheck and CLEAR. CLEAR, being a private company, not a government entity, enables you to bypass security procedures entirely once you enroll in their services. At their kiosk, your biometric details are verified. Although CLEAR membership is pricier at $189 per year compared to PreCheck, certain credit card companies offer reimbursement for either or both programs.
Moreover, apart from airports, CLEAR can also be utilized at specific stadiums, which is advantageous for frequent sports event attendees. If you have the financial means and frequently travel, it would be wise to consider enrolling in both PreCheck and CLEAR.
5. Ensure that you have a reusable water bottle with you
Remember to carry a reusable water bottle with you to the airport. Instead of having to purchase water at higher prices from the airport's shops after pouring out your liquid during security screening, save time and money by bringing an empty, refillable bottle. Additionally, bringing your own snacks like snack mix and granola bars will prevent you from paying inflated prices for chips at convenience stores.
ParkingNearAirports.io: where airport parking meets simplicity!
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Traveling worldwide shouldn't be something tiring – conversely, that's the time you can enjoy both the amazing landscapes of our Earth and joint activities with your loved ones. Nevertheless, things don't always go as planned, and we're at risk to face some challenges even at such an enjoyable moment. One such problem is actually airport parking, specifically its price. Let's have a look at the situation a bit closer.
If you used to get to the airport you're flying from by your own car, you probably know what we're talking about – the question of parking cost arises every time. You'll be definitely shocked – even though most US airports provide travelers with on-site parking, which allows them to leave their vehicles for their entire journey there, such a parking type is unfairly overpriced. Choosing this parking option, your next trip just might cost you a fortune. And that's not even considering it's complicated to find a free parking spot for your car. Since nobody wants to waste money and travel inconveniently, there begs the following question: is there actually any solution?
And we're happy to say – yes, there is one!
What is off-site parking and why is it worth choosing this option exactly?
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Your best solution is already here – off-site parking lots that are just a few miles from the airport. Our smart booking platform with easy-to-use interface, ParkingNearAirports.io, helps our clients to select off-site airport parking lots with the most affordable rates, along with high-quality service. In addition, we offer the services for the major US cruise ports that are located in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas as well.
Why choose an off-site parking option? The answer is pretty straightforward – it's cheap and convenient. Using our services, first of all, you'll avoid the following difficulties you might face while getting to the airport you're departing from:
- Crowded parking lots,
- Carrying the luggage all the way through the parking lot,
- Expensive fees without great service, and much more.
Everything works simply as well: after you've driven to the entrance, you'll be met by a parking lot staff who will take your luggage from your vehicle and load it onto the shuttle, which will take you and your bags to the airport terminal. Then, your car will be securely parked at the parking lot itself.
By the way, free shuttles going back and forth between the parking lot and the airport terminals are available 24/7. All that's required of you is to make a call and inform staff about the time suitable for you.
Forget about all the nightmares by choosing ParkingNearAirports.io!
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For better understanding, we'd like to give you a good example.
Let's imagine that you live in Houston, Texas, USA. If you're going to visit NYC, New York, use the services of affordable cheap parking near IAH. In the event that you're flying from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, choose Pearson Airport valet parking. As you can see, everything just depends on the place where your journey begins.
Our friendly platform also provides travelers with special airport parking coupons that can make the price almost two times less. And that's without taking into account that our services will cost you up to 70% less at all! So don't forget to monitor all the updates and use them while booking!
Making a reservation is easy with us – it's possible to complete the process through a few clicks on our website. Besides, if your plans change, you can cancel hassle-free and get a refund.
If you still have any questions, turn to our easy-to-navigate website – there, you'll find all the required info connected with the off-site parking. Airport parking, along with its pricing, provided by the majority of US airports, is a true nightmare, but if you know the place, your life can be much easier. Let yourself travel in full comfort right now – Park Smart & Choose Convenience together with us! And have a nice trip!