4 Holiday Travel Survival Tips

There are roughly two weeks until Christmas! Crazy, right? Millions of people will be hitting the sky this holiday season to travel and visit friends and loved ones. Prepare to save your sanity with these four survival tips:

1. Reserve your parking in advance. Since you and millions of others will be traveling this holiday, it is important to reserve your A1 Express Airport Parking in advance. Reserving ahead will often save you money, and certainly saves you the stress of searching for a spot last minute. You can even reserve right here from our blog. Don't forget to show us your AAA card and save! 
2. Pack light. We know, you might be going somewhere cold and may need to bring heavier clothing. Don't fall into that trap! Do a simple online search for packing tips for winter travel and you will be all set. Carrying on your bag will save you tons of time and you wont have to worry about your bag ending up in a different city than you are. 
3. Avoid wrapping. Those pretty presents you spent hours wrapping? TSA might find them sketchy and may have to unwrap them to check the contents. Avoid wasting hours of work by simply wrapping any gifts when you arrive at your destination.
4. Eat something. Low blood sugar sucks. Being hangry sucks. Getting upset for no reason isn't great either. Staying hydrated and keeping your tummy full can do wonders for your sanity this holiday travel season. Pack a few healthy snacks and leave for your flight on a full stomach. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from A1 Express!!

Some people just hop in their car and drive 15 minutes to Grandmas, but many Americans have relatives and friends in other states or part of the world. If you are a part of this elite group and you have to get your travel on Thanksgiving, remember these three tips:

1.     Longer Lines are for your Safety! We all love safety, especially on holidays, right? With the recent terror attacks/threats, TSA and airport security will be heightened, so expect to wait a bit longer. With your expectations already low, your slightly-longer-than-normal security wait won’t seem so bad!

2.    Bad Weather Backup! Bad weather almost always plays a factor in thanksgiving travel. Look up alternate flight routes/other carriers that fly to your same destination, and be prepared to act fast if your flight is delayed for a long period of time and/or cancelled.

3.    Leave Early! We usually recommend arriving at our Tampa Airport Parking facility 2-2.5 hours in advance of when your flight leaves. If you are traveling on Thanksgiving, we suggest leaving 3-3.5 hours of time. After all, sitting at your gate drinking Starbucks is a whole lot better than calling your airline because you missed your flight.

Be safe and Happy Thanksgiving! 

Best Times to Book Holiday Travel for 2015 and Save!

Believe it or not, the holidays are just around the corner! Along with the holidays comes tons of people traveling through Tampa International Airport to destinations around the world! This could be stressful, but preparation is key! We want you to be as prepared as possible! As a result, we have complied some helpful tips and tricks regarding booking your airfare out of Tampa International Airport over the holiday season.

•  SkyScanner found that if you book your Christmas flights THIS WEEK (the week of Sept. 28), you will save an estimated 9.1% on fares! Late to the game? Booking between November 2-8 will save you an estimated 4.8% savings on Christmas travel. Something is certainly better than nothing!
• Book your Tampa Airport parking with us in advance to save money! Traveling for an extended period of time? Take advantage of our special Tampa Airport Parking coupon deal for even bigger savings. As soon as you book your flight, don't forget to make your online TPA parking reservation and avoid the stress of full lots during the holidays.
• Flexibility with your travel dates goes a long way. For example, the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, is one of the most expensive to travel. If possible, it is suggested to add one or two days to your trip or head up a bit early. Even booking on Tuesday has the potential to save you big bucks.
• Research your options and always book direct. Use Travelocity and Kayack to check out all of your options, but always book directly from the airline itself. Booking direct is always best, and sometimes the price is even cheaper! Bonus: the loyalty points by booking direct are awesome!
• If possible, bring only a carry-on and a personal item. Thousands and thousands of checked bags go missing during the holiday season, and 2015 travelers will not be immune. Bringing a carry-on will expedite the check in and out process and will provide the peace of mind that your bags are in your hands at all times. 

As always, don't forget to make your Tampa Airport parking reservation from our website, or directly from our blog or Facebook page. Check out our TPA parking coupons and save! 

Safe Driving Tips for Traveling on Easter

Here at A1 Express, your safety means the world to us. Whether you are parking in our facility, traveling in our complementary shuttles, or just going about your day-to-day life, we hope that you remain safe and healthy. As a result, we have complied a list of safe driving tips so that you can arrive at your Easter gathering in once piece:

1. Don't drive too fast or too slow. "Just Right" is the perfect speed when traveling during busy holidays. What we mean is, stick to going the speed limit, or just a bit over or under, but don't rush through construction zones or speed 20mph faster than you should be. A traffic ticket or unexpected accident will surely ruin your day.

2. Don't hog the left lane. You are being a model driver and proceeding along your route at barely over the legal speed limit. If you are driving in the left lane and a long line of cars starts to form behind you, move over! Obviously someone is in a rush and drivers often get very upset when they cannot speed by as fast as possible. Who knows, you may see that adrenaline junky down the road with a ticket. Proceed with caution and respect for other drivers.

3. Keep your headlights on at all times. Yes, headlights should be on, even in the daytime! This little trick helps you to be more visible to other drivers and could even help you avoid an accident.

4. Check your vehicle before you go. This includes a simple self performed oil check, battery check, tire pressure check, windshield wiper check etc. Make sure that you have enough wiper fluid in case of the inevitable downpour. It is always better to be safe and prepared!

5. Sharing is caring! Traveling more than a few hours? Have a few safe drivers going along with you? Perfect! Rotating the driving duty is a great way to ensure that no one gets burnt out and everyone has a chance to rest.

No matter where you are traveling for Easter weekend, A1 Express wishes you a safe and stress free holiday! Driving to Tampa International Airport and then flying to your destination? Don't forget to make your free online reservation so that you can save money on Tampa Airport parking!

Holiday Travel Tips

Even though you may live in Florida, you are still going to have to deal with weather and crowds when traveling home for the holidays. Whether you are traveling for a holiday cruise, exotic vacation, or flying home from Tampa International Airport for family festivities, it is important to remember that millions of other Americans are going to be doing the same exact thing this winter! In addition, it always seems that poor weather conditions show up around holiday travel time! What luck.

Don't let long car rides, cramped airplanes, invasive security, or bad weather get you down; You are going on a relaxing cruise or traveling to visit your beloved family back home! Regardless of your plans, you will be thankful for our winter holiday travel tips:

1. Plan ahead and do your research. Driving to your destination? Research alternate travel routes ahead of time in case major traffic blocks the interstate. Depending on where you are driving from, you may be able to find some fun mini-destinations such as National Parks to visit on your way! Flying? Make sure you check your airlines baggage restrictions ahead of time to avoid stress on the day of your flight.
2. Pack accordingly. Packing light during winter travel is always suggested. If you can get away with just a carry on, that would be even better! This way, you won't have to worry about your luggage getting lost in transit. If you do check your bags, make sure that you pack at least two pairs of extra clothes, your phone charger, and whatever necessities you may need in your carry on just in case. 
3. Pack earplugs. Sure popping in headphones and listening to music is often a great way to zone out at a busy airport or loud car ride, but sometimes a person just needs silence! These little lifesavers can also ensure you get a few hours of shuteye before arriving at your destination.
4. Reserve your parking in advance. Since you and millions of people will be traveling this winter season, it is important to reserve your A1 Express Airport parking in advance! Reserving ahead will often save you money, and certainly saves you the stress of searching for a spot last minute.
5. Travel early or late in the day. Do you really want to beat the rush? Traveling during hours when most people want to be asleep can save you a whole lot of hassle since the roads will be less busy and the airports less crowded. 
6. Eat well and stay hydrated. This may seem like a simple tip, but it is often overlooked, as travelers rush to pack the car, struggle to read the GPS or fight with TSA about their luggage. Drinking water and eating regularly timed meals and snacks will make you feel oh so much better when you arrive at your final destination.