The Road Less Traveled: My Experience with Airport Parking

In part one of my journey, “The Road Less Travelled: My Experience with Travel Insurance Acquisition,” I wrote about the hidden costs of complacency and the price of lost loyalty. The narrative continues here, but the focus shifts from insurance to airport parking. The two experiences, though distinct, share a common thread - they both underscore the importance of making informed decisions and the repercussions of taking things for granted.

Travelers have options to get to and from the airport. These include public transportation, taxis, rideshares, and of course, driving and parking at the airport. Each option has its pros and cons. Public transportation, for instance, is often the greenest and cheapest option, but it may not be the most convenient, especially if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with children. Taxis and rideshares offer door-to-door service, but they can be more expensive, particularly during peak times. Driving and parking at the airport provide the most flexibility, but the costs can add up, especially for long trips.

On this particular journey, I chose to entrust my car with Park'N Fly , a company I’ve used numerous times for both business and personal travel. They offer four off-airport parking options: economy parking, self-parking, and valet parking. Historically, when comparing taxi or rideshare to valet pricing, valet has always won the airport parking debate. Until this trip.

I selected Park'N Fly valet parking for several reasons. The vehicle drop-off is quick and easy. I leave my keys in the car, and it gets parked in a gated secure area and is retrieved for me upon my return. Additionally, my car would be warmed up for me, and the cherry on top, at least for me, is the advertised baggage assistance, where “the friendly shuttle driver helps me with my luggage.”

However, this time, the experience was far from what I had come to expect. I had to load my luggage on and off the shuttle at both departure and arrival. Upon arrival, my car was not warmed up, (I know, call me spoiled) but it is what I've come to expect when traveling in colder seasons and the seat was reclined as though someone had slept in the car when all the jockeys had to do was press the programmed seat for the driver setting.

While understanding the importance of sharing my feedback to help Park N Fly improve their customer journey, I came across Park N Fly’s accessibility customer service policy (AODA) online. Kudos for addressing accommodating needs for customers. Here's where I see additional complexity and opportunity for improvement. The policy, as it’s written, accommodates customers with visible disabilities, persons with assistive devices, and persons with service animals, oxygen tanks, and/or supportive persons. Looking back, one of the considerations for having chosen valet was due to an invisible disability, yet I had to lug my luggage on and off the shuttle both times.

I am now put in a position and at a crossroad where I will think long and hard about remaining loyal to Park N Fly, who in the last 12 months made a modest $800 from me. This experience has taught me that even the most trusted paths can lead to unexpected destinations. And sometimes, the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.

Uncover the Hidden, Illuminate the Journey

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