This post brought to you by The Parking Spot. All opinions are 100% mine.
I am so excited about my upcoming travel plans that I could squeal. I’ve never been to Arkansas and I’m looking forward to knocing another state off of my list of “to-sees”. Then three days after I get back from Arkansas, I leave to Destin, Florida for another 4 days.
I wouldn’t have won either of the contests that I entered had it not been for you, my dear readers. Thank you so much for your continued support and for trusting me, especially where your food and grocery budget are concerned.
I know that May seems so far away still, but it is rapidly approaching and I have to think about travel plans NOW. I still have no idea whether or not I’m flying from Raleigh to Destin or driving. Driving would take a total of about 20 hours which is nearly a day, but it would be significantly less expensive than flying. Flying, however; means that I get there quickly and without incident. Hopefully.
The Workaholic has a crazy schedule and works extremely late at night so he sleeps late in the morning. Plus, getting home while he’s at work might be a problem. Sure, I have friends who can and will help out, but I don’t like relying on other people for much of anything.
In my quest to find inexpensive air fare, I ran across the novel idea of airport parking. I knew it existed, but I had never had to use it before. The last time I traveled, I went home to Alaska and The Workaholic (then just The Boyfriend), drove me to the airport then picked me up when I arrived back into Orlando at 6:30am. Horrible.
This time, because we have small children and I might be flying in at strange times, I’ve been strongly considering making airport parking reservations. Back when we lived in Orlando, I used to laugh driving down 436 on the way to the MCO airport, when I saw this huge yellow building with black spots. It was called “The Parking Spot”. Clever. So clever, in fact, that I think they are marketing geniuses. Loud, kitzchy colors and a memorable name? Genius.
My in-laws used The Parking Spot the last time they came up to Raleigh and they really enjoyed the service that they received. There are shuttles every 5 – 7 minutes, so our Nanny Nanny didn’t have to stand waiting long. Pop Pop was really impressed that he got a free USA Today to read on the airplane. And of cousre, Nanny took full advantage of the complimentary bottle of water.
The Parking Spot offers a Spot Club which is kind of similar to, say, your grocery store rewards card. It’s free to join, and it provides you with great money-saving benefits. For every seven days that you pay for a parking spot, you get a free day! You earn points starting the day you sign up, You can manage your card online and even link it with a credit card so that you can use it at entry without having to pull a ticket, then leave via the automated check-out lane. No muss, no fuss!
Unfortuantely, The Parking Spot hasn’t come to North Carolina yet, so it looks like I’m stuck relying on people to drive me to the airport. Parking Spot, come to Raleigh! For the rest of you, check and see if there is a location at your nearest airport by visiting this link. The Parking Spot is a national chain with 34 facilities at over 22 airports, which means that odds are good that there’s one near you. Perhaps I should look into opening one here. Hmmmmmm. I know I have personal friends and family who often have to travel for work. Plus, ’tis the season for travel! Don’t forget to figure out where to keep your car while you’re gone, and make sure you trust it to the best hands possible.
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That looks like such a beautiful place! Love all the tree’s and the mountains!!!
Thank you for sharing this. This post is awesome, and I am loving the pictures!
We used the Parking Spot the last time we traveled as a family and it made the trip so much easier!
I will have to use this to my advantage when I go on more journeys around the country.
We have a parking spot here in Columbus. I am considering using them when I go to a blogging conference in the next few months, so my family won’t have to figure out how to pick me up and drop me off. I feel the same way you do – somebody will do it, but I don’t want to make anyone shift their schedule if it’s not necessary. I’d just as soon drive home from the airport anyway. We have some short term parking at our airport that pretty reasonable too.