Guide: Saving on Airport Parking

How to save on airport parking? This question comes up periodically on the Milesopedia Facebook group. The expense is indeed unavoidable unless we have someone to drop us off and pick us up. So let’s look at the different strategies that can help us reduce these costs on or near the site.

There are seven parking lots managed by Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL): AéroParc, EconoParcs (3), ValetParc, HotelParc and Étagé. Some of them are currently closed because there is no demand due to the pandemic.

Prices range from $23 to $49/day, depending on the services (valet), whether the area is covered or not and the proximity to the terminal. If you have a Visa Infinite Privilege credit card such as the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card or the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite privilege, you may be able to receive a 10% discount on valet parking.

The most expensive service is in the indoor parking lot of the Marriott Montreal Airport Terminal Hotel.

Approximately $250 for a week. The takers like to leave their coats and boots in the warmth and take the escalator to the terminal. There is also a charging station for electric vehicles and the premises are secure. The cheapest option is of course the furthest: the Aeropark.

Take advantage of our partner offers!

A partnership with Aeroplan allows you to earn between 100 and 1,000 points when you use any of these airport parking spaces. Don’t forget to write down your number when you make your reservation.

CAA-Quebec is also a parking partner at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL). The company is offering a 10% discount on regular fares and online bookings. As long as the parking lot is used for 48 hours or more.

YQB has recently reduced its rates for travellers wishing to use the parking at Quebec City’s Jean Lesage International Airport.

These changes are especially beneficial to those who leave their cars outside. From now on, the cost is :

• $ 70 for 7 days
• $ 124 for 14 days

In addition, it is possible to prepay for parking online. The parking garage, near the terminal, is $168 for 7 days.

240V Flo charging stations are located on level 1 of the parking deck. The charge is 15 cents per hour (or $3.60 per 24-hour period).

At YOW, the coveredparking deck is the only one currently open. It is detailed at :

• $ 78 for 7 days
• $ 156 for 30 days

Otherwise, the cost is $24 per 24-hour period. There are free 110V electrical outlets to charge a vehicle.

Some members decide to fly out of Plattsburgh Airport in New York State.

They then benefit from substantial discounts to Orlando or Las Vegas, for example, by opting for a discount airline such as Allegiant Air. Others choose the Burlington, Vermont airport. American Airlines, Delta and United operate flights to major US cities.

Parking at these airports is inexpensive. The cost of parking is $8 per day in Plattsburgh for up to 60 days, no agreement required. In Burlington, it is $12 per day (no maximum days mentioned). Moreover, it is covered. Of course, we are talking about American currencies (it will be interesting to use a credit card that does not charge conversion fees)!

For my part, I have the HSBC World Elite^® Mastercard^®.

There is another alternative to paying for parking near the airport.

The site ParkSleepFly lists hotels near airports that offer parking for the duration of our trip when we stay there one night before leaving or when we return. A shuttle bus will take care of us to get to and from the airport. For a maximum of 14-21 days, depending on the hotel.

However, take the time to check if there is any kind of surveillance system installed in this parking lot. A padlocked gate? An employee? Cameras?

As mentioned above, the National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard^® is the only credit card in Canada to offer up to $150 in travel credit each year, for baggage fees, seat selection and… airport parking!

As a cardholder, you could easily get a $150 credit on your airport parking fees each year. This is one of the best World Elite Mastercard credit cards, offering unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge and excellent insurance for your travel and purchases.

Several parking lots near airports also offer their services. One can think of Park’N Fly, where you can easily find discount coupons by searching for the right keywords on a search engine.

In winter, a valet service, if you choose this avenue, takes care of clearing the snow and warming up the car while the shuttle brings you back in 10 minutes. The vehicle is even fully recharged free of charge.

It is an open secret that you should leave your car at the hotel where you have booked a night before leaving or when returning from a trip. This can be done for a period of usually one to two weeks, rarely more.

But please, find out what security measures are in place and read the comments on the web from customers who have been there before you. Vehicle thefts are not uncommon events in Côte-de-Liesse.

The Park’N Fly app is a good source of information to support you in your search.

In Quebec City, the Jaro |Must Hotel has interesting “Stay, Park, Fly” packages starting at $127.

Finally, we suggest you take a look at Tuango, which in the past has had good night + parking offers. However, if it is a Marriott property, the night will not count as an Elite night and the status may not be honored (i.e. breakfast included).

Quebec City residents, like those in the Ottawa area who have to fly to Montreal, can choose to take the bus or train to YUL.

With the exception of the bus from Quebec City, which leaves its passengers in downtown Montreal, passengers are dropped off at the Dorval station. A free shuttle bus will take them to the airport. The return train fare varies according to the package chosen. Via Rail’s Discount Tuesday promotion can save you money on your weekend train ride.

The round trip from Quebec City by train is approximately $121 and $117 by bus. To Ottawa, $101 by train and $108 by bus. CASHAIR MILES can reduce these costs by purchasing Via Rail e-vouchers.

In addition, because train and bus schedules are not aligned with airplane schedules, travelers must stay overnight in a hotel before or after the trip. There will be some calculations to do. And then it can be advantageous to redeem points for free hotel nights.

Finally, let’s add to the public transit chapter:

• the 747 Shuttle that connects downtown Montreal to YUL, 24/7 for $10 per ride.
• the Aeronavette , which leaves from Sherbrooke and stops at several towns in the Eastern Townships and Montérégie. The 24/7 round trip service costs between $100 and $152 + taxes. Moreover, it adapts to our flight schedule.

One of our smart members, who has access to a car rental branch (Avis, Budget or others) near his home, suggested this:

I rent a car from Budget and leave it at the airport. It costs me about $35 to $40 each time I go away for a month. I don’t have to worry about my car staying at home and when I come back, I do the same thing. I return the car to the rental agency the next day.

Find out if it’s worth using or earning AIR MILES miles / Aeroplan points through their portals.

Finally, let’s end with a reminder that UBER, private drivers and taxis exist. These are sometimes the most appropriate strategies.

To make your trip more enjoyable, there is a left-luggage service at YUL airport that is open 24/7. For $25 (for one person) or $50 (for two adults and two children), you can leave your coat and boots for a week. It is located near the Tim Hortons at the flight arrival gate.

Do you know Lanla? This is a marketing and consumer psychology company. If you are accepted as a mystery shopper, you may be asked to do a small investigation in exchange for $100 off your parking or to pay for part of your meal at one of the airport’s restaurants.

Finally, let’s finish with another application that will allow you to find not only parking at the airport but also a place to park. In big cities, this can come in handy. This is Best Parking.

There you go ! We’ve explored the best tips for saving on airport parking from here and abroad. Different situations, different solutions. But there are many of them.

In summary, here are the top 3 platforms to watch:

• ParkSleepFly
• Airport Parking Reservations
• Park ‘N Fly

And consider the only credit card in Canada that offers an annual credit of up to $150 for airport parking, the National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard^®.

And if you have other suggestions, come and talk about them in our Facebook group!

Safe travel!