Graduation Travel Tips

Graduation is just around the corner. Many times, grads love to celebrate their accomplishments with a trip or vacation of a lifetime, before they settle into a full time job. If this sounds like you or someone you know, check out our list of travel tips just for grads:

1. Don't be afraid. This is our #1 piece of advice! Jump feet first into your life long dream. You already accomplished graduation [whew!], now it's your turn to have fun!
2. Research your options. Do you know what WOOFing is? Never heard of Airbnb? Maybe it's time to do some research into all the alternatives out there. Traveling somewhere fun and new doesn't have to be a financial burden. Have the credentials? Why not spend a semester in South Korea teaching English? 
3. Save your pennies. No matter what option you choose, travel is going to take some money. Do the hard part now while you finish up school. Take on a few extra hours at work. Eat dinner at home for the next month and forego your daily Starbucks. A penny saved is a penny earned!
4. Get the most bang for your buck. Sure, places like Italy and the UK are popular destinations, but that also makes them expensive. Why not consider Thailand, Belize, or Cambodia? At many of these destinations, you are able to eat on $10 a day and can receive a massage on the beach for just a few bucks! What's not to love?!
5. Wait just a few months. Summer is often the busiest and most expensive time to travel. If you spend a few more months at home and leave for your trip in say, September, you will be able to score fantastic deals! 

A1 Express wishes to extend a heartfelt "Congratulations" to all of the new graduates! If you are driving yourself to the airport and need a place to park, check out our website and download our Tampa Airport Parking coupon to save money on your reservation! 

A-1 Express Needs Your Help – No New Airport ‘Privilege Fee’ for Off-Site Parking!

A-1 Express Airport Parking has been proud to serve the Tampa Bay community for nearly 20 years, but today, we turn to you, our customers, to ask for your support.

 Last month, the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) proposed a new airport tax of 8.5% to all off-site airport parking companies. If imposed, this tax will present a nearly $300,000 burden to just three local parking businesses, which we feel is unfair. We currently operate a full service business at a very competitive rate, and if this new tax is put into place, we will have no choice other than to reduce services or increase our fees, neither of which we want to do.

 Many of our customers appreciate the added convenience that A-1 Express offers, assisting with their luggage from the time they arrive at our facility until they return from their travels to retrieve their vehicle. We are known for our outstanding service, and providing less is not an option for us.

 The Aviation Authority Board will discuss implementation of this new tax at their board meeting at 9:00 am on Thursday, November 7. The boardroom is located on the third floor, next to the Blue Earhart Elevators, of the Tampa International Airport Main Terminal. The general public is invited to attend.

 We are not against paying our fair share for maintenance and upkeep of airport facilities, but we do feel that 8.5% is extreme. If you agree and would like to support our effort to keep this tax from being imposed, the following board members to ask them to reconsider this tax.

 

Mr. Robert I. Watkins, Chairman
Robert Watkins & Company
610 S. Boulevard, Suite 100
Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-254-3369; F: 813-253-3280
E-mail: rwatkins@robertwatkins.com

 

Mayor Bob Buckhorn , Treasurer
306 E. Jackson St.
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813/274-8251; F: 813/274-7050
Assistant: Conchita Hilton
E-mail: conchita.tilton@tampagov.net

Victor D. Crist , County Commissioner
Assistant Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
601 E. Kennedy, Tampa, FL 33601
or P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813/272-5452; F: 813/272-7047
Assistant: Eric Johnson
E-Mail: johnsonek@hillsboroughcounty.org

 

Joseph Lopano, Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 22287
Tampa, FL 33622-2287
Phone: 813/870-8701; F: 813/875-6670
Assistant: Kim Humphrey
E-Mail:  khumphrey@tampaairport.com

 

Martin L Garcia, Board Member
Pinehill Capital Partners, Inc.
1700 S. MacDill Avenue, Suite 240
Tampa, FL 33629
Phone: 813-253-3999
E-mail: mgarcia@pinehill.com

 

Gary Harrod, Board Member
Harrod Properties Inc
5550 West Executive Dr
Suite 550
Tampa, Fl 33609
813-229-1500

 

 The growth that A-1 Express has experienced over the years is the direct result of continued patronage of customers like you, who support and appreciate our business and commitment to providing you with outstanding service. We value your trust, and we will do our best to continue to be your preferred airport parking facility for years to come.

 For more information regarding this issue, download the fact sheet here.