I chose New Year’s Day to fly out of Melbourne Airport so I could spend a week at the Gold Coast with my family.

I remembered that I had seen on the RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) website that they had a discount for their members for airport parking. 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 Self Parking

They were promoting Jetport Self Parking and for the week that I was away it was a $10 discount which was close to a 10% discount. 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 stopped at the boom gate to put my code in and as I entered the second digit a male employee enquired if I had entered the code onto the keypad. Not a friendly smile or “welcome to Jetport Self Parking”, but “have you put your code into the pad?” After the boom gate went up I drove in and the man indicated for me to park to unload the suitcases. We got out and unloaded the cases and he started loading them into a waiting van. After that I had to find a park, so I proceeded down the first aisle, then the second and finally ended on the roof where the only parks were to be found. I remembered thinking that on the Jetport Self Parking website they advertise a $10 discount if you park on the roof. Then I got into the lift and proceeded to the ground floor where the van was waiting. From the time I first parked at the airport parking, to when I was dropped off at the Jetstar terminal at Melbourne Airport, it was 16 minutes and 25 seconds. This was a good time for airport parking that is not located at Melbourne Airport proper. I would have thought that Jetport Self Parking would be trying to get the customer from their airport parking to Melbourne Airport with a pleasant and friendly manner. 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 great time in Labrador, at Sandy Point Beach Resort, on the Gold Coast.

Melbourne Airport to Jetport Airport Parking

When we got back to Melbourne Airport we collected our luggage and called Jetport Self Parking for our pick up. We did not wait long for the van to arrive and he checked who was waiting and made sure to pick up all those people who were on his list. The bags were loaded and off we went. It took 16 minutes and 5 seconds to get to my car from the time I called for the pick up. As I drove the car down to the bottom floor to pick up the suitcases I tossed up whether or not I would ask for the $10 discount for parking outside. In my mind it was logical to get the discount as the Airport Parking I paid for was undercover as stated on the RACV website and I clearly had parked out in the weather. So I thought here was a chance for Jetport Self Parking to rise to the occasion and give me the extra discount as I did not get what I had paid for. So I made my way to the office where two gentlemen were seated 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 booked through RACV and my reply was yes. They then said that I had received my discount through RACV when I booked. I then said that I had paid for undercover Airport Parking, but they replied that you only get one discount. So I deliberately asked again for a third time – so you will not give me a discount of $10 for parking outside? The reply was a definite NO! So this raises an issue of RACV providing a conduit for a service that they, I assume, get paid a commission for, that is not provided as stated.

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

Commercial Drive Airport Parking

In their Google advertisement (21/11/10): “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 Offer Friendly and Professional Service

Commercial Drive Airport Parking is a family run business offering excellent service with a friendly touch. Their goal is to get their customer to and from Melbourne Airport with a minimum of fuss, and while you are gone they will take care of your car with 24 hour security. Short Term and Long Term Parking are offered as well as outdoor and indoor parking. As with most of the Melbourne Airport Parking (same as Tullamarine Airport Parking) operators Commercial Drive Airport Parking offer free drop off and pick up to and from Melbourne Airport. Accounts can be arranged for a company if you have frequent travellers that require their services. Special cheap rates are on offer for: people specialising in FIFO mining services, Defence personnel and Police.

They are striving to improve their business and they welcome suggestions that will provide a better service for their customers. Suggestions are welcome after you have used their service so improvements can be made to the package they provide.

I have often seen “parking full” signs outside some of the operators gates, so you will need to book in advance; as with most of the Melbourne Airport Parking (same as Tullamarine Airport Parking) operators. Commercial Drive Airport Parking offer booking online and by telephone, but payment is made on arrival at 38 Allied Drive, Tullamarine. All the major credit cards are accepted: Mastercard, VISA and American Express and the cost will be low as they advertise the Cheapest Airport Parking. It is five minutes away from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine Airport), so they ask that you arrive ten minutes prior to your arrival at Melbourne Airport terminal. Five minutes to make your payment and put your luggage into the waiting shuttle bus. The shuttle bus operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so they are always available to pick you up or drop you off at Melbourne Airport.

Like most of the Melbourne Airport Parking operators, the parking rates are based on a per calendar day or part thereof. All rates are inclusive of GST. The longer you stay, the cheaper the rate is. Indoor parking: start 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 current information. Motorcycles $15.00 first day $5.00 per day thereafter and Caravans, boats etc.

Take Advantage of the Cheapest Airport Parking

Other services offered by Commercial Drive Airport Parking: servicing of vehicles, repair panel work, car detailing, fit new tyres and paint work. Ask for a quote and have it done while you are away. With the Cheapest Airport Parking at Commercial Drive Airport Parking price you will have extra money for the other services.

Melbourne Airport Parking Terms and Conditions of Parking

Have you ever read the Terms and Conditions of Parking at a Melbourne Airport Parking Operator? Well they are all similar and I found them very interesting indeed. You should take the time to read the Terms and Conditions of any service you undertake as you will be informed as to your rights and the rights of the operator.

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 available when you use the self parking at United Airport Parking. It is situated on the corner of Melrose Drive and Trade Park Drive, Tullamarine; but the entrance is in Trade Drive. It is easy to find because attached to United Airport Parking is the 4 ½ Star Mantra Tullamarine Hotel. This luxurious property can cater for your needs should you arrive at United with time to spare. The Woodlands Bar & Restaurant has comfortable surroundings and is open 7 days for breakfast, lunch & dinner. As you can see from the photo the Mantra Tullamarine Hotel (grey) is tall and can be easily seen from a distance as it is the only tall building in the area. It also has a distinctive sign at the top of the building.

United Airport Parking Self Parking

When you turn into the complex you are greeted by the security boom gates, take a ticket or insert your charge card, then park and lock up your car in your desired spot. Once parked, unloaded your luggage, locked your car and pocketed your keys, one of the four free courtesy buses (valet service / shuttle bus) will be ready, on the ground floor, to take you to your terminal. The courtesy buses operate every day from 4.00am to 2.00am and the car park is accessible 24 hours a day. Self parking is a part of the secret to getting cheap airport parking and you have the added advantage of monitored security cameras supply continuous recorded information on all floors and there are staff on each floor 24hrs, 7 days a week.

United Airport Parking Courtesy bus

On your return, after collecting your luggage, simply phone United Airport Parking on the toll free or local number on the back of your ticket and a courtesy 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 fast, safe and secure alternative to parking at Melbourne Airport situated in Tullamarine.

Melbourne Airport Long Term Parking is really Melbourne Airport Short Term Parking

Well my travelling companion, who was driving, decided that he was going to use the parking at Melbourne Airport because it was convenient. I had done some research and based on leaving Friday night and returning Sunday night, parking outside I could get a deal for $29. So I went to the Melbourne Airport website and looked up the parking calculator and to my surprise it was cheaper to use the Melbourne Airport long term parking than the short term parking. Of course this also meant that the long term parking was outside. But the surprise was the cost $69!

So we duly arrived at the airport and turned into the Melbourne Airport Long Term Parking and found a park near a bus stop. Mind you it took a while to find a park, because the place is so big and to find a park close to the terminal is very difficult as everyone tries to do this as they arrive. From my experience at using operators outside the airport, once you enter the gate it is a matter of 30 seconds and you park. So, I waited thirty seconds and then started timing to see how long it would take us to get to our terminal. Well after finding a park we took the bags out of the car and quickly walked to the bus station as a bus was just arriving. It was 6.30pm and the bus was full of wall to wall people and of course it was standing room only. You had to put your bag in the rack and move into the bus. Then you had to hope that no one took your bag at a stop on the way as you could not see your bag. People were hopping on and off at each of the bus stops that we visited. It took us 18 minutes to get to our terminal after various stops.

On our return, Sunday night,  at 11.00 pm we picked up our bags and headed for the bus stop. There was a bus waiting so we quickly got on and it took us to our bus stop in the carpark. We alighted and walked to our car – a total of 6 minutes. Then we had to go and pay for our stay, as this would normally be done prior to getting on the bus. At the bus stop at the terminals they have a machine to pay for your stay. It was 10 minutes before we left the carpark from the time we got on the bus.

So at our Melbourne Airport short term parking turned into long term parking  with a price tag of $69. You will need to decide if you want to pay for convenience. Melbourne Airport Parking hopes you enjoy your travel and return safe and well.

Melrose Airport Parking

I visited Melrose Airport Parking several times without actually using their services and it was neat and clean. There were vans waiting to take their next customer to the airport and someone was busy cleaning a car ready to surprise a returning customer for their journey home. They provide long term parking and short term parking.

It is close to the airport on Melrose Drive and is fairly easy to get to from any direction.

I will update you more when I experience their service  alternatively you may wish to add your experience via a comment. Melbourne Airport Parking is trying to provide you with information to make your choice easy when seeking parking for your vehicle.