If you have recently bought and paid for a holiday abroad this article is for you. Here are two pieces of information that will not only enhance your trip but will also save you money on your airport parking fees. There are also plenty of tips here to get the most out of your airport parking purchase and get the best possible start to your trip.

My advice to accomplish both of these seemingly contradictory aims is to book your parking in advance and book Meet and Greet parking. You will charged full retail price if you just turn up on the day so be smart and book ahead to get the best deal.

How can you save money on your airport parking?
To save money on your airport parking simply book in advance but make sure you shop around for the best deal. Most parking companies use a 'smart' time sensitive pricing systems similar to the pricing models used by airlines whereby the price of the ticket rises as you get closer to the date of departure. Airport parking is the same so you will pay more on the day than if you book in advance.

The other advantage of booking in advance is that you will secure your parking space. During the summer months many car parks become oversubscribed. It would be a shame to miss your flight whilst you were driving around looking for a space. Book early and you will guarantee you have somewhere to park your car.

Of course you could always park in the short term car park, and I do know someone who did for two weeks, but the parking costs came to more than the cost of the flights!

There are many web sites that compare airport parking prices so a quick search via your preferred search engine should produce the desired results. Bear in mind that although the airport parking sector is very competitive and there are some great deals out there, airport parking is like life - you get what you pay for!

What is so great about Meet and Greet Parking?
Meet and Greet parking, sometimes called chauffeur parking or valet parking, is the most convenient form of parking. You are met at the terminal forecourt by a member of the parking company's staff usually with a trolley ready for your luggage. They will take your car and park it for you.

When you return your car will be delivered back to you on the terminal forecourt and you will be free to continue your homeward journey with the minimum of delay.

The benefits of meet and greet parking are clear
1. No delay getting to the check-in desk
2. No carrying your own heavy luggage around
3. No herding children onto busses
4. No waiting for the shuttle service to and from the airport
You stay dry, unflustered, on time and in good health ready to start your holiday.

If you spend the little extra on a meet and greet parking service you do not want to be delayed waiting around for your driver when all you need to do is check-in? Especially as you have probably arrived with less of a time cushion before the desk closes than if you booked ordinary long term parking.

Then, when you return, you want your car waiting for you out side the terminal. You do not want to be waiting for it or you may as well have bought the cheaper shuttle bus parking. Some parking companies do offer a money back guarantee if they keep you waiting but they are rare at the moment.

Why book meet and greet parking and not cheaper long-term parking?
If you book meet and greet parking you will have purchased the most convenient and stress-free parking available. Ordinary long-term airport parking takes longer and is nowhere near as simple.

Ordinary long term parking can be a bit of a drag as you are required to find the car park, park your car and then make your way to the shuttle bus to get a ride to the airport all the while carrying your heavy luggage. You will need to load your own bags onto and off of the bus at either end of this journey and also on the return trip don't forget. Pray it's not raining and your children, if you have any with you, are well behaved and that you don't strain your back before you've even got on the plane!

When you return you will need to find the shuttle bus stop and catch the bus to the car park to collect your car all the while dragging your bags with you. At busy times of the year many flights often land in quick succession late at night and it can take two or three busses to reduce the queue enough so that you can even get on the bus. I've been there and experienced it. You really don't need to.

Now you have the knowledge get out there and book your meet and greet parking. Just make sure you do it in advance and you will have a great hassle-free start to your holiday without breaking the bank.