Airport a travel expenses refer to the costs incurred when traveling through an airport. This can include parking fees, food purchases, ticket costs, and more. When planning an airport trip, one expense always seems inevitable – charges for parking your vehicle. But should parking be considered a travel cost? Many travellers see airport lots as a necessary part of getting to their flight. However, savvy flyers have found clever ways to either avoid parking fees entirely or minimize what they have to pay.
Airport parking rates can add up, with daily travel fees often exceeding $20 at major facilities. This has led many to question whether these charges should genuinely be thought of as a travel expense or not. While dropping off passengers and departing quickly may work for some, longer trips typically require parking. For frequent flyers, finding alternative options with reduced costs can provide meaningful savings over time.
How to Save Money on Air Travel Within the USA?
When planning domestic trips, airport expenses like parking, food, and flights themselves can add up. However, with some savvy strategies, you can minimize these costs.
Air travel within the United States provides conveniences but frequent flyers know all too well how pricey it can become, especially at major airports. Between parking fees, food purchases, checked bag fees, and other incidentals, it’s easy for travel budgets to balloon.
Thankfully, with a little preparation, you have the power to trim significant money from your airport expenses on domestic trips. In this article, we’ll explore various tactics for reducing costs at the airport and throughout your travels within the USA.
Compare Parking Rates and Options Near Airports
Let’s start with one of the biggest and most unavoidable airport expenses – vehicle parking. Parking your car at most major US airports can cost upwards of $20 or more per day in the main on-airport lots. However, savvy travelers have discovered cheaper alternatives just outside the airport property.
For example, at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport standard on-airport parking is $18/day for economy lots. But several lots owned by private companies within 3 miles of the airport advertise rates as low as $8/day with free shuttle service to terminals.
Some handy parking options to compare rates for include:
- On-airport lots
- Off-airport private lots with shuttles
- Rideshare services like Uber, Lyft, and taxicabs for drop-offs
- Long-term parking at a nearby subway/train station
- Rental car returns instead of parking if only needing a car at your destination
Doing some research online ahead of your trip for parking deals can easily save $50+ on a one-week business trip versus paying airport prices the entire time. For those flying frequently, signing up for loyalty programs with certain off-airport lots may offer discounted monthly rates too.
Fly Out of Alternate Airports When Possible
It’s common knowledge that major international hubs like Los Angeles LAX, Chicago O’Hare, and New York JFK command higher domestic flight prices relative to other nearby regional airports. Savvy flyers pay attention to options beyond the most famous airport names.
For example, flying out of Burbank Airport (BUR) just north of Los Angeles can frequently save $100 each way on domestic routes versus LAX. Other potential money-saving alternate airports to explore include:
- Oakland (OAK) instead of San Francisco (SFO)
- Orange County (SNA) versus LAX in Southern California
- Newark (EWR) versus New York JFK
- Baltimore/Washington (BWI) over Washington Dulles (IAD)
- Manchester (MHT) versus Boston (BOS)
It’s certainly not always possible depending on the routes available, but taking the time to compare prices flying out of secondary regional airports can uncover significant discounts, especially on shorter haul routes. Apps like Google Flights and Hip munk make this easy to check.
Sign Up for Airport Travel Reward Programs
Savvy travellers know the benefits of loyalty programs provided by major US airlines. Frequent flyer clubs like American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, and United MileagePlus reward members in a variety of ways.
Beyond earning miles for free flights, premium status tiers confer valuable perks like priority check-in/security, waived baggage fees, upgrades, and more. The top-tier elite levels with benefits like airport lounge access and complimentary upgrades can often be achieved in a year with moderate travel.
Lesser known is many airline programs will even extend certain perks like free checked bags or priority boarding to members of partner hotel/credit card reward programs as well.
Taking the time to sign up, earn, and utilize the exclusive discounts from reward programs is a simple no-cost way to trim money incrementally from each airport trip. For example:
- American Airlines AAdvantage Silver status waives the first bag fee, saving $30 roundtrip
- United MileagePlus Premier upgrades may place you in a roomier cabin
- Delta SkyMiles Medallion members receive SkyClub airport lounge day passes
Always check your qualifying tiers ahead of travel dates to leverage available elite perks.
Pack Light and Avoid Checked Bag Fees
Major US carriers have steadily increased checked bag fees, with domestic roundtrip charges typically $60 or more total per bag. Packing light in a carry-on suitcase to avoid checking is an easy way to save over time.
Some packing strategies that can keep travel light include:
- Roll clothing tightly to maximize space
- Pack multi-use items like scarves that function as clothing/pillows
- Travel with fewer souvenirs purchased until returning home
- Pack toiletries in quart-size sealable bags
- Check clear plastic bags or mesh pouches for liquids/gels
- Use compression packing cubes to squish down items
- Only bring one smaller personal item like a purse or laptop bag as an extra carry-on
Major airline carry-on size limits are generally 22x14x9 inches with a maximum 10-pound weight. Practice your packing skills on short weekend trips first before longer vacations to perfect the art of minimizing checked bags.
Take advantage of baggage drop services too – Amtrak, for example, allows passengers to send 1 bag per ticket on trains for delivery directly to certain final destinations. This avoids checking it with airlines entirely.
Sign Up for Airport Travel Reward Programs
Flyers can also take steps once arriving at their destination airport to save on costs like transportation, food, and activities. Some ideas include:
- Use airport shuttle/bus services instead of pricey rideshares or taxi cabs
- Compare on-airport fast food prices to inexpensive meals packed from home
- Join priority pass lounge membership for discounted airport meals/drinks
- Download airport maps ahead of time to walk between terminals if possible
- Research nearby hotel/dining discounts offered for airline elite members
- Redeem airport parking lot loyalty points for food/retail gift cards
The key is doing research and staying vigilant. Applying several of these money-saving techniques together, significant savings add up over time on the expenses associated with airport travel throughout the United States. Always be on the lookout for new apps, partnerships, and programs optimizing domestic flying costs.
Conclusion
Airport parking fees undoubtedly contribute significantly to the overall expenses of air travel. However, with some advanced research and planning, it is possible to minimize these parking costs or even avoid them entirely.
Being flexible and considering alternative transportation methods are two key ways travellers can save on this often unavoidable travel expense.
