Summer Travel Tips

School is almost out and summer is about to be upon us! Not surprisingly, most people take a vacation during this time of the year. With tons of people traveling, the airport's can get a little hectic and stress levels may be high! Check out our list of tips on how to survive traveling to your summer vacation destination:

1. Shoes Off! Well, for TSA scanning, that is! TSA is generally stressful, but can become even more of a burden with the entire family in tow. Before you reach the TSA agents, remove your shoes, take out all liquids etc. Being prepared before you reach the front of the line will help ensure a smooth process.

2. Bend the Rules. Traveling with the kids? We can almost guarantee that you are going to stray from their normal daily routine...and that's okay! Instead of stressing about a missed bedtime, look on the positive side and go with the flow. The kiddos and your mind will thank you!

3. Fly Mid-Week. Want to beat the crowds? [Who doesn't?!] Try and schedule your flights mid-week and enjoy less crowded flights. Stuck leaving on a weekend? Don't fret! See if any flights leave early in the morning, or later in the evening as these are also fantastic times to fly.

4. Call your Bank. Nothing is worse than being stuck away from home with a frozen bank account because you forgot to call and let your company know you are using your credit card out of the state/country. Do this early [now!] before you forget during the bustle of planning your trip!

5. Make Photocopies! Make multiple copies of your passport, ID, flight information etc. to keep on your person in addition to the real thing. Scan these documents and email them to yourself so that you are always able to access them in the event you lose the originals.

Do you really want to stress less this summer? Make your free online reservation for Tampa Airport parking with A1 Express and save time and money!

Coupons for Tampa Airport Parking

Who doesn't love coupons? Here at A1 Express, we want to make your travel as hassle-free as possible. We totally understand that traveling is expensive, so we try to offer as many coupons for Tampa Airport Parking as possible! Check out our latest and save some money! [Don't forget to make your online reservation to save some time once you arrive at the airport!] 

Here is our newest Tampa Airport Parking Coupon! 

Tampa International Airport Expasion

Maybe you have heard that Tampa International Airport has began its newest expansion...but do you really know what this project will include for the airport when finished? Check out some of the newest features that travelers through TPA will enjoy in the near future:

• A brand new tram! You heard that right, Tampa International Airport is building a brand new people mover that will span the distance of 1.3 miles! This raised tram system will shuttle people from the airport, directly to another new addition; a rental car facility on Tampa Airport property.
• Main terminal expansion. TPA is expanding the main terminal by a whopping 55,000 square feet! Get ready to explore this addition the next time you fly out of Tampa International Airport.
• Out with the old, in with the new. Restaurants...that is! Tampa Airport will no longer serve up food from Carrabas, TGI Fridays or Burger King. While we can't exactly say for sure what the future holds, Word on the street is that local favorites such as Datz, Square One Burgers, and Piquant [French inspired dishes], are all shooting to serve TIA travelers. 
• Shop Till Ya Drop. After you indulge in all that delicious food, you may be glad to hear that Spanx is opening up a shop in Tampa Airport. In addition, you will soon be able to shop for underwear [Victoria's Secret] and crystal [Swarovski]. The home shopping network will also open a satellite location. 

TPA Airport expansion or not, A1 Express will always be there for you as your trusty Tampa Airport Parking provider. Make your online reservation now and save time and money on TPA Airport Parking

5 Tips for Traveling After Graduation

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! 

Already booked your flight out of Tampa International Airport? Don't forget to make your Tampa Airport Parking reservation with A1 Express! 

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!

Traveling with Pollen Allergies

With the first day of spring coming soon, allergy season will be on the rise. Do you suffer from allergies related to pollen or hay? When traveling from Tampa International Airport to your destination, your allergens may kick into high gear. Here are 5 ways you can plan in advance in order to keep your watery eyes at bay:

• Bring the comforts of home. Do you sleep with a dust-proof pillow case or use allergen-free sheets at home? Roll your pillow case into a small ball and bring it along during your trip. It will take up relatively little space and will help reduce your allergies while you sleep.
• Pack all your medications in your carry-on. Resist the urge to pack your medications in your checked luggage. You will need to access your medications easily and quickly in case of an emergency. Think you need a certain amount of doses during your trip? Double that amount so you don't run into trouble.
• Pack nasal saline spray. Surprise surprise: the air in plane cabins is abnormally dry. Nasal spray doesn't cost much and it will save you tons of trouble in the long run. Use the spray once or twice an hour to keep your nasal passage clear and hydrated from the dry air.
• Book "smoke free" hotels. Even if a hotel has "smoking" and "non-smoking" rooms, the policy is often not strictly enforced and people bend the rules to their advantage. The best way to ensure you won't have to deal with pesky smoke is to book a hotel that does not allow smoking indoors at all.
• Check the pollen count. Check the pollen counts from grass, trees, weeds etc. at your intended destination. This way, you will have a better idea of what you will encounter.

Before you leave out of TPA, don't forget to book your online parking reservation with A1 Express Parking! Book online and save big. 

Benefits of Reserving Airport Parking Online

It's true: people love when things are made easier for them. Reserving Tampa Airport parking is no different! Imagine: you get to the busy airport late and now must drive in circles for fifteen minutes searching for a parking spot in a cramped garage. Doesn't sound relaxing does it? Lucky for you, times are a changing and the option to reserve airport parking online is rising more than ever before! Check out just a few of the MANY benefits that online reservations systems [such as the one we use!] offer:

• Convenience. Instead of having to go directly to the site where you want to reserve an item [the parking lot], and instead of having to email or call a company and sit on hold, online reservation systems offer you the chance to reserve a good or service from anywhere! Wherever you have internet connection, you will be able to book your airport parking reservation!
• Speed. Remember that whole sitting on hold or waiting for an email reply thing we just talked about? You won't have to deal with that when reserving online! The booking process airport parking using an online reservation system is very quick and can be completed in just a minute or two. This speed saves you valuable time that could be better spent somewhere else. 
• Reserve anytime. Stores close, people go to bed, and phones remain unanswered, but online reservation systems keep working 24/7/365. Need to book your off-airport parking at 3 am? No problem! Online systems afford you the ability to reserve anytime, anywhere. 
• Easy cancellations. Change your mind and want to cancel or switch your reservation? This swap can easily be made online, at your own convenience.
• Error reduction. When booking online, you will be asked multiple times to validate information and to check to ensure the date/time/price of your reservation is correct. You will also receive an e-receipt so that you are able to keep track of all of your relevant information. Reserve online and save yourself a lot of hassle!

Well, what are you waiting for?! Reserve your Tampa Airport Parking now with A1 Express!