Finding "long term" free parking with an airport hotel
 

I've seen posts in the past about people leaving their car at an airport hotel while traveling and getting free parking just for staying one night at the start or end of the trip. Is there a term for that? How does one find that out without calling the hundred or so hotels near an airport? Do some chains tend to do that more than others? For the record, I'm looking for 10 days of parking near Miami Airport and will need a room one night on our return.

I found this one for you, but searching "Miami airport, park, stay fly" will get many more options. The length of time might be an issue, but maybe calling a hotel direct will get you a sympathetic ear.

http://www.trinityreservations.com/p...-fly-miami.php

Try parksleepfly dot com. I just found them on the internet and they identify how long you can park at each hotel (7 days, 14 days, etc.)

Park & Fly is the wording I've seen used. My folks did it here in Seattle, at the airport Raddison. Free parking in a well-lit parking lot (it was not fenced) for two weeks for a hotel stay 1 night at either end of a trip to Europe.

Thanks, that's just what I needed. I was googling too many words and getting nowhere. Funny, I was thinking Park and Fly too, but all I got were some long term off airport parking places. The other links work, although that first one ccolor, only provided me with a Ramada which is a real dump, I think.

In any case, I'm finding several in the $112 to $120 range with up to 2 weeks of free parking. Since I'd pay a minimum of $65 for 10 days off site parking (and more than double that for airport long term parking), it's sounding like a pretty cheap place to stay when we fly in at night. Especially if their shuttles run till late on Saturday night -- the Hyatt Place doesn't, I notice.

I would be hesitant to leave you car in an unsecured parking lot for 10 days. It's one thing for a day ot 2. Or another if the hotel gives you a special rate for their secure lot.

But I would be afraid a car left alone for so many days would be either gone or stripped when you return. (And if you're not paying the hotel anything they would have no responsibility - and your insurance carrier might question what the car is doing there - since one of the factor taken into effect when pricing a policy is if the car is garaged or parked on the street - and in what area..)

OK, even better. The rather new LaQuinta North (really just West of airport) with AAA rate for $80.10 includes up to 2 weeks free parking (we need 10 days), and a free 24 hour shuttle with immediate pick up. Breakfast included (Lee loves the do-it-yourself fresh waffles). So I guess we're getting all that for about $15 (compared to what we'd have to pay for an offsite with shuttle parking place only)!

In the past I've done cheap one day car rentals each way, but they've gone way up in cost and most have now added a $50 drop off fee when leaving Miami airport -- so it's no longer practical.

That's a great deal Patrick! It's a nice feeling when it all falls into place with do-it-yourself waffles, isn't it? :-d

nytraveler, maybe you live in New York, but don't assume about the rest of us. My insurance has never asked anything about where my car is -- they don't even know if I live in a house or an apartment, if I have a garage or not, or if the car is parked in a street. But I did ask when I called the hotel (I wasn't sure how it worked when I stay at the end of the parking term rather than the beginning) about the safety of the parking. She sort of laughed and said they've never had a car broken into in the well lit lot, yet alone one stripped! I've parked in the past at a lot of hotels, including Miami. I have no reason to think the lot wouldn't be safe. What difference would it make to a thief if you were there just one night or 10?

We've used Park&Fly at several different hotels near O'Hare, and never had a problem.

One time, when we had a late afternoon flight, and didn't want to stay the night before, we could park at a Marriott property for $51 for 17 days because my husband is a Marriott rewards member.

We left our car at a Hampton Inn in Tampa and their program is named Park, Stay and Go. They did provide a 24 hr. shuttle unlike some hotels which did not. However I think they had a 7 day free parking limit. They also had a breakfast included. Just for future reference!

Now if I can just figure out how to avoid the week long $66 parking fee at Ft. Myers airport. . . since I don't need a motel at all.

If the hotel knows you're doing it and accepts responsibility that's fine.

I've seen cars left in suburban train station parking lots here stripped in one night. Not that it happens often - but it can. (and it must be different here - because part of our insurance rate here is based if a car is parked on a street (higher) versus in a garage. Also on average mileage, if it's ever used to commute to work versus for leisure - as well as the usual about type of alarms etc.

I've never been asked any of that for car insurance -- other than "do you drive more or less than 10,000 miles a year on average." And I guess they're more concerned about a car parked on a New York street and a Naples, Florida street. They never ask.

NeoPatrick.
Depending on your dates and times I might be able to give you guys a ride. I'm in Naples too.

Wow, poochie, that's so nice. Meanwhile I was talking to our friend who always watches our house and things for us when we're away (who's also a server at Pazzo) and he's off on Tuesdays -- our arrival and departure days -- so he's offered to drive us up and pick us up. He should! I've done it for him enough, LOL.

Good. I'm glad it worked out for you. A few months ago we had to leave at 4:30 A.M. and returned at midnight-- too early and late to ask a friend. The cab was $65.00 each way plus tip,and that was a flat rate.

I know what you mean. I've often picked up a Dollar rental car here for one day, and done the same on return. It usually runs about $25 each day, so that's only $50 round trip. But like everything, their prices are up a bit too, so now it seems a wash as opposed to driving my own car and parking for a week.

I'm avoiding those 6 AM flights like the plague! We're going non stop to Chicago -- depart at 11:50 AM and returning we depart Chicago at 11:30 AM, getting into RSW at 3:15. I LOVE those reasonable mid day flights!

Have a great trip.
We are going to NYC for Labor Day weekend. Just leaving the car in long term (only 3 nights).Got the good old Jet Blue 7:00 A.M. flight. I'll have to remember to bring my own pillow and blanket. Ha-Ha