How to Protect Your Car at the Airport

If you are heading on a business trip or vacation and plan on leaving your car at the airport, you will want to make sure the car is safe while you are gone. Here are some tips for protecting your car when utilizing Oakland Airport long term parking during your trip.

One of the most important things you must do to protect your car at an airport is to lock all the doors and close the windows. If you leave the doors unlocked you are inviting thieves in to take your belongings or to hotwire the car and steal it.

You should never leave important belongings in the car when it is parked overnight or in long term parking at the airport. Even though there are security guards constantly patrolling the area, people will take advantage of whatever they can. Do not leave your wallet, money, phone chargers or other enticing items in the car. If you have to leave them in the car, make sure they are out of sight in a glove box.

Park the vehicle near a light tower or under one if you are lucky enough to find such a spot. Parking a vehicle under or near a light can help to deter thieves from striking. When cars are parked in dark areas of the parking lot they are more likely to be targeted since it will be harder for security to see what is happening.

Be sure to have an alarm installed on your car prior to leaving it overnight or in long term parking at the airport. Cars that do not have alarms are easier to target because the thieves can ransack them at will since no alert is being sent to the security guards.

The next time you need Oakland Airport long term parking be sure to park your car with Expresso Parking. 

Here Are 4 Security Tips For Airport Fliers: From Parking To Prohibited Items

Jumping through hoops to secure seating before your flight is just a fact of life at airports nationwide. Be it securing safe vehicle parking at the Oakland airport or catching a cab out of the terminal, those who do their research in advance are bound to have a less stressful experience before taking off from the tarmac.

We’ve compiled tips from industry experts and federal agencies so that you’re flight – and the legwork that must come before it – goes as smoothly as possible.

#1 The no-go list: The very first step you can take – and easiest, if you ask us – is leaving items banned from airports at home. From the relatively obvious ban on flying with unchecked firearms or the blanket ban on fireworks to the more innocuous limits on alcohol over 140 proof, the Transportation Security Administration’s website offers plenty of advice for travelers to familiarize themselves with.

#2 Holiday cheer: There’s no busier times for airports everywhere than the holidays. That being said, there are a few workarounds for the stress, boredom and other inevitable unmentionables when it comes to making the best out of these hectic situations. Be prepared for the possible early unwrapping of gifts by Transportation Security Administration agents or restrictions on snowglobes of a certain size.

#3 Parking solutions: Leaving your car or truck behind as you prepare to travel is pretty much a part of any trip out of your area. From valet services to extended parking or on-site terminal options and ride-sharing companies, there are plenty of parking proposals you can pick from.

#4 Keeping keepsakes: According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, it’s advisable to keep valuable or critical items out of your checked baggage. Bring jewelry, passports, medicine or objects of significant personal value as part of your carry-on luggage if possible.

We encourage those looking for parking at the Oakland airport to continue browsing our website for additional tips or call us at 510-633-9917.

Infographic: 10 Features of a Great Airport Parking Service

Enjoy all of these great features and more when you park at Expresso Airport Parking. Visit us online today to make your reservation with our Oakland Airport parking service.

4 Tips for Finding Cheap Thanksgiving Flights

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. If you haven't already booked your flight to visit relatives or enjoy a weekend getaway, now's the time to start seriously thinking about booking. Thanksgiving is the biggest travel time of the year, and the longer you wait, the more expensive the fares will be.

According to CheapAir.com – which tracks 11,000 airfares for flights during the holiday season to determine the average fare for the most popular markets – the average fare on Wednesday, Nov. 4 was $483, up from $456 last month. The upside is fuel costs are down this year, but as planes start to fill up, prices will increase. With that said, it's crunch time. Consider these five tips for finding a cheap Thanksgiving flight from our long term Oakland Airport parking service.

Be Flexible

Unless you're flexible with your dates, you won’t be able to get a cheap flight. Most people want to leave on Wednesday, Nov. 25 and come back on Sunday. Because these days are in high demand, airlines aren't going to offer deals on those days. Depending on the destination, your best bet is to leave on Friday, Nov. 20 or Saturday, Nov. 21 and return on Monday, Nov. 30 at the earliest.

Be Wary of Low-cost Carriers

Though low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier seem to offer cheaper fares, the flights can end up costing way more than you've anticipated. This is because low-cost carriers offer cheaper rates up front but then tack on extra fees for things like assigned seats, carry-on luggage and checked baggage. Make sure you read the fine print and take all of the costs into account before picking a flight, whether it's with a low-cost or mainstream airline.

Choose an Alternate Airport

Along with being flexible on your dates of travel, you also want to be flexible with the airport. Some airports offer better rates than others. For instance, the San Francisco International Airport tends to have higher rates than the Oakland International Airport, which is located just 31 miles away. So, when searching for fares, compare the prices of all the nearby airports.

Split Up Your Party

As planes begin to fill up, it becomes harder to find cheap flights for a family of four. Splitting up into groups of two will make it easier to find a flight and snag a better deal.

By following these tips, you'll be able to find the best deals on Thanksgiving flights. Along with flights, consider the airport parking service. If you're traveling out of the Oakland Airport, Expresso Airport Parking offers the most affordable parking rates and the most convenient services. Visit us online today to view our Oakland Airport long term parking rates and book your guaranteed reservation.

5 Tips for Flying over the Holidays

Are you planning to visit family or vacation abroad over the holidays? The holiday season, which spans from Thanksgiving through New Year's, is notorious for being the busiest time of year for traveling. Though airports can be busier and more crowded, with the right preparation and planning, you can ensure a stress-free and enjoyable holiday travel experience. Consider our helpful tips for flying over the holidays:

1.       Book your flight early. The earlier you book your flight, the better. Ticket prices tend to rise the closer we get to the holidays, so book your flight as soon as you know your plans. Booking your flight early will be better for your wallet and give you peace of mind knowing your holiday plans are already taken care of. If you have specific dates or times you need to travel, you'll have more options the earlier you book.

2.       Travel on off-peak travel days. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year. Instead of traveling on Wednesday, leave the night before or early in the morning on Thanksgiving Day. Also avoid traveling on Christmas Eve if you can.

3.       Pick a morning flight. As evidenced by flight statistics, planes traveling earlier in the day are more likely to arrive on time. And, if your flight gets cancelled, you have a better chance of getting on another flight that same day. There also tends to be less people traveling in the early morning, which means you probably won't experience long security lines or crowded airport terminals.

4.       Ship your gifts. The TSA recommends shipping wrapped presents or waiting to wrap them until you reach your destination because they may have to unwrap a gift to examine it.

5.       Make a guaranteed parking reservation. If you'll be driving yourself to the airport, make a guaranteed parking reservation with an off-site Oakland Airport parking service.  On-site airport parking lots don't offer guaranteed reservations, and on busy days it's almost impossible to find a spot. Save yourself the time and headache by choosing Expresso Airport Parking. We provide guaranteed parking reservations on indoor and outdoor self-parking and premium valet parking, as well as the most affordable rates. And, through our Oakland Park and Fly program and Oak parking coupons, you can save even more on airport parking.

4 Tips for Beating Jet Lag

Whether you're traveling for business or your dream vacation, traveling to a different time zone can often lead to jet lag. Characterized by daytime sleepiness, insomnia and fatigue, jet lag symptoms can arise from traveling quickly through different time zones.  Depending on the time difference and how many time zones you've traveled through, it can take a day or even a week to fully adjust to the new time zone.

Don’t let jet lag disrupt your travels. While jet lag can't be completely avoided, there are several things you can do to minimize the symptoms. Follow these tips for beating jet lag from our Oakland Airport long term parking service.  

Adjust your schedule ahead of time

When you travel to a different time zone, you need to adjust your body's natural clock. Getting a jump start can help you stay ahead of jet lag. If you are traveling east, get to sleep an hour earlier for a few nights before your flight. For those traveling west, stay up an hour or so later than you normally would. This method is beneficial if you are staying at the destination for over two days.

Manage your light exposure

While managing your light exposure isn't the easiest change to make, it is one of the most effective ways to beat jet lag. Light exposure greatly influences your body's natural clock, and you can use it to your advantage. Travelers heading east should seek light in the morning and avoid it in the late afternoon. Those traveling west should do the opposite.

There's an app for that

If you need help managing your light exposure, download Entrain, a free app for iOS. It helps stimulate your body's clock and makes recommendations for behavior to make your adjustment to a new time zone as easy and quick as possible.

Ask your doctor about melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone in your body that makes you tired. Melatonin is also available in supplements, and taking .05 milligrams of melatonin can assist you in adjusting to a new time zone. Before taking melatonin, consult your doctor to see if it is right for you.

With these tips from our Oakland Airport parking service, you'll be able to minimize jet lag and enjoy your trip to the fullest.

6 Essentials All Travelers Should Bring on the Plane

Whether your flight is two hours long or ten, what you pack in your carry-on is important to ensuring you are comfortable during the duration of your flight. To ensure a pleasurable flight, do not leave home without these six carry-on essentials from Expresso Parking, the best and cheapest long term Oakland Airport parking service.

1.       Neck pillow – No matter how tired you are, it can be difficult to get comfortable enough to fall asleep in an airplane seat. This problem can be averted by bringing along a comfy neck pillow. A neck pillow will also keep you from straining your neck while sleeping on the plane or accidentally falling asleep on the person next to you.

2.       Headphones – Some airlines will provide passengers with headphones on the plane, sometimes for an additional fee. Just to be safe, you should pack your own headphones. Headphones are key to canceling out noise and listening to your favorite music.  

3.       Medicine – Are you prone to headaches, joint pain, nausea or anxiety? If so, you should bring your prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs, such as Aleve or Dramamine, to help you remain comfortable and calm throughout the flight.  

4.       Empty Water Bottle – It's important that you stay hydrated during your travels. While you can’t take a bottle of water through security, you can take an empty water bottle with you, which you can fill up for free after going through security.

5.       E-Reader – Reading is a great way to keep yourself entertained during a long flight. While some books are large and heavy, a Kindle e-reader is small and light, taking up little space. Plus, with an e-reader you have access to tons of books, so once you finish one book you can begin another.

6.       Lotion – The pressurized air inside the plane can cause your skin to become dry. Lotion will keep your skin feeling hydrated and refreshed. Just make sure the lotion is in a container less than 8 oz. and stored in a ziplock bag that meets the airport's security requirements.