Skyparksecure Travel Blog - THE TRAVEL BLOG by Skyparksecure

Airport parking experts SkyParkSecure have launched a new app, designed to deliver the answers to all your airport parking queries straight to your fingertips.

Available to download through both Android and iTunes capable devices, the SkyParkSecure app will allow you to quickly and simply find the best deals for whichever airport you are travelling from.

Simple Quoting System for your Airport Parking Booking

The SkyParkSecure app is an easy-to-use mobile tool, which allows you to generate a set of relevant quotes, tailored specifically to your own personal needs. This practical device allows you to search for car parks at every airport in the UK, and includes literally dozens of airport car parking companies within its listing. As a result of this, you can ensure that you get the best possible deal, both in price and meeting your specific requirements.

To receive your quote, simply input the airport you wish to fly from, as well as the appropriate times and dates for your departure and return. Then simply press “Get a quote” and wait a few short seconds to receive a list of affordable airport parking options, complete with a detailed overview of each package. The SkyParkSecure app includes a useful voucher code feature, which allows you receive massive discounts on the cost of your airport parking.

Easy Booking on your Mobile Phone

Alongside generating quotes, the SkyParkSecure app also provides a quick and easy mobile booking service. To finalise your booking, all you need to do is select “Book now” on your chosen airport parking quote to open a quick and easy-to-complete online booking form. The mobile checkout service offers you a safe, secure and speedy method of reserving your airport parking, with massive savings to be had by booking in advance.

Helpful Navigation from Car Parks to the Airport

SkyParkSecure have added further to the strings of their apps bow, by integrating the service with Google Maps. After generating your tailored list of quotes, you can view each of them in relation to the airport by simply clicking “Map view”. This feature is fantastically helpful, as it enables you to see how far the car park is from the airport and weight this up against the cost of the service, allowing you to make an informed decision and choose the package that holds the best value.

SkyParkSecure have always been devoted to improving their customer experience and providing affordable airport parking solutions. With this new Android and iTunes capable app, they have taken a step further to achieving this ambition and spreading the benefits of advance booking airport parking to a wider audience.

To download the SkyParkSecure app for free, simply click here, or search ‘SkyParkSecure app’ on Google Play.

Currency cards are hogging all the headlines when it comes to exchanging your money for overseas travel.

Moneywise UK gave them a glowing report whilst cautioning against variable fees and charges.

We decided to put them to the test and so armed with the new Skyparksecure Currency Card our Marketing Manager Ken Foster, decided to test drive the system.

Ken takes up the story:

“Like most people, I usually exchange sterling for currency on the high street before I travel. I’d heard a lot about currency cards and was always a little sceptical about fees and whether or not I’d get a competitive exchange rate.

With Skyparksecure now offering a card I realised that it was the perfect opportunity to put one to the test. First I went to the Skypark currency card sign-up page. There are 3 cards to choose from. The Euro card (which I chose) can be used anywhere in Euroland, The US Dollar Card is (fairly obviously) for people travelling to the USA and the Global One card can be used worldwide.

I found that the sign up process was easy (You do need your passport number, so have that close at hand). The great thing is that you can get a fixed exchange rate when you sign up and load your card with money. I found the rate offered was extremely competitive when I booked (€1.23 = £1).

I loaded up the card online and the money was transferred. So far, so good – no fees and no joining or set up fee.

The card arrived through the post within 3 days (although the site does say to allow up to 7-10 days).

Next I had to activate my card. I phoned the number supplied (everything was automated and easy to do). Make sure to note down your pin number that they provide you with during the call. (this call does cost 10p per minute and I was on the phone just under 3 minutes)
You can change your pin (without cost) at any cashpoint displaying the mastercard sign. I changed mine to something more memorable before I left for the holiday.

You can use the card like a credit card to pay for goods and services once you are away but I decided to withdraw a little cash for the first few days once I arrived. So the big test was when I went to a branch of Credit Mutual Bretagne in Dinan and tried out the card. I noticed the Mastercard symbol (which most cash machine have) and withdrew €100. It worked perfectly and I wasn’t charged any fee for the withdrawal.

I did this another couple of times during the trip (as i don’t like carrying a large amount of cash) and can honestly say it was the smoothest and most convenient way of getting your spending money sorted out for overseas travel.

When we arrived back in the UK I decided to convert the money left on the card back to Sterling. This time I was charged a small transaction fee, but was more than happy with the rate and the £120 cash i got back to spend on our weekly shop!

Obviously this is just my experience but I’ll definitely use the card again. You can load the card up online or by phone the next time you travel.”

So one happy customer (even if he is an insider). You can apply for your currency card here. Please let us know how you get on so we can provide feedback to our customers.

SkyParkSecure Ltd has been named by the British Travel Awards (BTAs) as one of the shortlisted contenders for the Best Airport Parking Company 2012

SkyParkSecure offer a wide range of airport parking products across the UK and are proud to lead the field in development and innovation, regularly rolling out updates and new features to continually improve their service to travellers up and down the country.

“We’re over the moon to have been nominated for a second successive year.” Managing Director, David Brown said. “Our team work very hard to ensure that our customers are looked after and we’re proud of the work we’ve done together to provide the very best booking service available.”

We’re dedicated to bring you the very best service and if you’ve found that we are the best at what we do we ‘d be incredibly grateful to receive your vote. You can vote for us by visiting http://www.britishtravelawards.com/vote_form.php

Voting is easy – simply visit the British Travel Awards web site and enter a few details to register to vote. You’ll be taken straight to the voting page.

Choose ‘Who provides the best additional holiday services?’ and the choose ‘Best Airport Parking Company’ … select SkyParkSecure, click the submit button and you’re done!

BTA’s chief executive Lorraine Barnes Burton said: “SkyParkSecure Ltd is to be congratulated on reaching the finals of the prestigious British Travel Awards. The largest consumer voted awards programme in the UK, The BTAs are designed to reward the best companies in travel, and the winning accolade is the benchmark for excellence when it comes to finding out who really is the best in the business of travel for the UK consumer. Good luck to SkyParkSecure Ltd!”

All companies entered for an Award were put before a core selection of industry professionals, drawn from the BTA Academy, a panel of respected individuals in business from both in and outside the travel industry, who whittled the nominations down to the list of final nominees in each of the seventy-five categories. The next stage sees the shortlisted companies put before the public vote with voting promoted through BTA media partners which include The Times, Sunday Times, The Sun, Sunday Sun and the Global Radio stations, including LBC and Classic FM. Shortlisted companies are also encouraged to lobby their happy customers for votes!

The winners will be the companies with the most votes – in 2011 over 700,000 votes were cast with the voting process and results scrutinized and audited by independent auditors Deloitte LLP. The winners of the 2012 British Travel Awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony on 1 November at the Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park, London.

Thanks for your ongoing support

Airport parking experts SkyParkSecure have created and released a new “on the go” app designed with the modern travel community in mind. Compatible with all Android devices running version 2.0 or above; the SkyParkSecure Mobile App makes advance airport parking booking easier, more convenient and more cost effective than ever before.

The SkyParkSecure Mobile app comes in the form of a simple but powerful quote calculator and booking portal for Android phones and internet tablets which allows you to get a tailored quote based on your parking requirements; from anywhere and at anytime. With the option to search for car parks at all major airports in the UK and listings from dozens of different car park companies this invaluable tool doesn’t just ensure that you get the best possible deal – but serves as a one-stop-shop for departures from all of the country’s airports. The large number of departure airport choices is particularly great for frequent fliers or those who are pricing up travel options from multiple airports.

All that the app requires to generate a list of potential parking options is the location of the airport that you’re flying from (and need to park near), and the times and dates of your departure and arrival. A press of the “Get A Quote” button then generates a list of all the relevant, great value packages available.

The app puts detailed outlines and precise costs of every relevant airport parking package in the palm of your hand; from long stay options and meet and greet services through to personal chauffer packages  – spanning all of the major UK airports and at unbeatably competitive prices. Once you’ve found the parking option that’s best for you – you can book it there and then! The secure mobile checkout service allows you to safely and swiftly book your airport parking in advance; and save a fortune compared to paying on the day of your departure.

With more than 11 years at the cutting edge of airport parking, SkyParkSecure  are still leading the way when it comes to cost-effective airport parking services. With this new Android app and an iPad and iPhone tailored version due in the coming weeks; they hope to help even more people to benefit from the money and time saving benefits of advance booking airport parking.

To get your hands on this free app simply click here or search for ‘SkyparkSecure App’ on Google Play.

Taking a well-deserved vacation is a fantastic way to relax and distance yourself from the stress and monotony of day to day life, but the excitement that comes when you wake on the morning of your holiday can quickly turn to stress and frustration if you realise you aren’t quite as prepared as you should be.

It’s no secret that tackling the airport travelling procedures can be challenging; there is no shortage of items to remember, and you only get one shot at getting it right. It’s all too easy to make the smallest of mistakes during preparation for your vacation, many of which can potentially ruin the trip for yourself and your entire group. Arriving at the airport check in desk, only to realise you have forgotten your passport, tickets or other essentials is sure to cause unparalleled levels of stress, especially if the only solution is to pay extra for new airline tickets. So with this in mind, we have constructed a handy checklist to help ensure your trip to the airport is as simple and efficient as possible!

Reaching the Airport

If you are planning to drive to the airport, be sure you have the route planned; leaving with little or no preparation can become problematic if you have not visited before. Motorway directions are normally very thorough when leading to airports, but it can be easy to miss signs and signals. Be sure to use an online route planner or Satnav to secure your route days before you travel. Remember, at SkyParkSecure we offer safe parking zones in a number of locations for airports nationwide; leaving your vehicle in our safe hands ensures it will be safely ready and waiting upon your return!

Airport Booking Voucher

Be sure to take along your airport parking voucher which holds all the details regarding your parking reservation. Keep this handy in your hand luggage for quick and easy access at any point. If you have lost the details regarding your parking reservation, be sure to head to the ‘My Bookings’ section on our Homepage for help recovering your details.

Check with Airline

It’s always a good idea to check the current status of your flight with the airline; any delays or problems are usually updated on the website, and calling the airline desk to double check can’t hurt either.

Passport and Tickets

It’s best to designate a location for these well before you leave; these items are a lifeline when you arrive at the airport, and you’re going nowhere without them. Place the correct tickets in the corresponding passports, and then keep all passports together, preferably in a zipped compartment in your hand luggage. Be sure to check all passports are present when you put them in and check again before you leave, placing them back in immediately after checking.

It’s always a good idea to check far in advance (ideally at least a month) that your passport will not expire during the course of your holiday; this may not immediately jump to mind but can cause plenty of issues if left unchecked for too long.

Purse/Wallet

It’s always advisable to keep these valuables with your passports until you arrive and unpack; it’s best to take extra care when heading abroad, as the repercussions of losing them in a foreign country can far outweigh the convenience of storing them in your pocket. Be sure all the credit and debit cards you need are present in your wallet/purse, and you have a few small bills ready to cover the cab fares each way; have a few small coins ready too, many luggage carts and trollies need require the insertion of a coin before they unlock. Lastly, be sure your driver’s licence and appropriate ID are in there too, if you wish to rent a car on your trip you’ll need this with you.

Money and Foreign Currency

Having your money exchanged into foreign currency before you travel is always a good idea; you’re much more likely to get better rates if you shop around before leaving, so don’t wait until you reach the airport to change your money over. It’s always good to keep an emergency supply of GBP separate from your wallet/purse too; if the bulk of your foreign currency were to go missing, you will have a backup supply ready to be exchanged.

Mobile Phone

It’s always wise to have your mobile on you at all times in case of an incident or misdirection. This allows for easy contact with others who are travelling with you and instant contact with friends and family at home (albeit potentially very costly). Take note to take your charger along too, mobiles can quickly run out of battery, so it’s best to recharge every day to ensure you can contact others at any time.

Be sure to check with your mobile service provider that your phone is able to make and receive calls abroad; you may need to make changes to your tariff or SIM card before the day of your trip.

Appropriate Documentation

Be sure to keep all travel insurance paperwork with you in case of an unfortunate incident, and a card that has an extensive list of emergency contact details, preferably containing mobile numbers of others who are travelling with you, as well as contacts back at home.

If travelling in Europe, it’s a good idea to apply for an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card); this will be of massive use if you were to have an accident while abroad and need medical treatment, stopping sizable medical bills ruining your holiday.

Miscellaneous Items

Not exactly essentials, but many people take extra items along for the ride. If you are taking a laptop, mp3 player or portable DVD player along for the flight, be sure to take the corresponding charger; this is a common mistake which can lead to extra costs on holiday after sourcing a power supply that fits.

If anyone in your group requires prescription medication, be sure to take along a good supply and store them in a safe and easily accessible area of your hand luggage. This will allow for quick access to the medication and will be easy to double check that it is on-hand. Ask your GP if you will need a letter of consent to take the medication with you, some countries have strict policies about travellers bringing certain drugs and medication with them, and require a letter from your general practitioner.

So there we are; a handy guide to help you remember those airport essentials!

Resellerratings.com is an up and coming price comparison site which focuses heavily on User submitted information and reviews to gain its information. The Wall Street Journal said it was “How holiday shoppers can beat web scams…”

SkyParkSecure are always looking out for new ways of improving and building upon their existing levels of service and finding impartial honest user reviews on their service, as it’s not always easy to find reliable sources for comments and ratings from actual users. As such the discovery of the resellerratings.com website has come as a pleasant piece of news for the staff at SkyParkSecure.

The resellerratings.com website has recently been updated with a number of reviews and ratings from highly satisfied customers of the SkyParkSecure services. As a result of these positive user ratings their newly generated site rating is at an impressive 9.17 out of a potential maximum of 10, which has been generated over just 6 months.

Every user rating for SkyParkSecure has been 4 out of 5 or above and the majority of them have been a full 5 out of 5 stars (at time of writing 17^th of April). User reviews have also so far been exceptionally positive in their opinions of SkyParkSecure’s level of service.

One customer said “Excellent value, we have used this service before and will use it again every time we need airport parking!”

Another stated “very quick and efficient I always book at this car park!”

With SkyPark’s constantly improving and increasingly strong levels of customer service it’s no surprise that their overall rating is exceptionally high and over looking at customer reviews it’s safe to assume it will only get higher.

Airport Hotels with Parking are the perfect stress free way to start your trip. We have fantastic prices for on-airport hotels and also hotels with parking close by that offer a free shuttle service to your terminal. An airport hotel the night before your flight not only gets round the problem of traffic congestion but can provide leisure, dining and entertainment prior to your trip.
We have top class hotels available at all major airports along with our popular undercover option that guarantees a great price in a top quality hotel.

SkyparkSecure is also offering customers a full range of airport lounge services. With over 150 VIP lounges worldwide at over 110 airports, including 22 in the UK you can add an extra touch of luxury to your next trip. The lounge pass is becoming the de-rigour way of combating the stress of holiday travel and with prices starting from around £15, it’s easy to see why.
Airport Lounges provide a variety of services that focus on comfort and customer service often including comfortable recliners, complimentary refreshments, newspapers and even gym facilities.

In addition to airport hotels and lounges, we are now offering customers a full range of airport transfer services. Transfers are available across the globe in over 70 countries, operating through over 450 gateways.
The airport transfers service which launched in July this year, has added to an already impressive range of travel extras available on the website. These include airport parking, airport hotels and airport lounges.
The transfer service is becoming very popular with travellers pre-booking onward trips to their resort or destination at the same time as arranging airport parking and hotels. Travel can be stressful and anything which reduces that stress (such as a chauffeur transfer on arrival) is growing in popularity.

Customers can obtain an instant quote and book online at the SkyparkSecure homepage http://www.skyparksecure.com

While undoubtedly a fantastic event for the UK, the Olympic Games aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Not only that but if you reside in areas designated for some of the events then the Games can put restrictions on your normal routine.
Road closures, increased costs, an influx of people into already crowded cities can put a strain on daily life.

Perhaps the best way to enjoy the Olympics is to get away from it. Once you are away from the hustle and bustle it is then your choice to either take a complete break from the hype and incessant media coverage or perhaps just pick and choose which events to watch from afar.

At Skypark, we realise that not everyone is going gaga for the Olympics and we’ve decided to offer a special reduced rate on your Airport Parking for those people booking between now and the start of the games on 27th July.
Book your airport parking using the following link and you’ll get up to 15% discount on our already low prices. www.skyparksecure.com/airport-parking/olympics2012

The discount is available on selected products at all the major UK airports.

SkyparkSecure MD David Brown said: “With the Olympics being mid-summer, the prices to fly anywhere are going to be higher, so we’ve decided that with the economy still being precarious we’d like to help in any way we can by offering Olympic discounts on our Airport Parking products.”

SkyparkSecure have bucked the trend and seen remarkable growth during the last few years by offering a wide range of products at the most competitive prices. Along with Airport Parking they now offer Hotels, Airport Lounges, Transfers and very soon Car Hire.

www.skyparksecure.com

Notes to editors:

* Since 2001 SkyParkSecure have been serving hundreds of thousands of customers with outstanding airport parking right across the UK.

* In 2011 SkyparkSecure saw a 39% growth on 2010.

* SkyparkSecure offer the best rates through special relationships developed with car parks at the majority of U.K. airports.

* At all major UK airports SkyparkSecure offer Airport parking, Airport Hotels, Airport Hotels with Parking, Airport Lounges, Airport Transfers and Car Hire.

* SkyparkSecure are developers of ‘SkyPanel Engine’, one of the leading UK Travel Content Management, Booking and Management Information systems.

Contact Details:
Email: press@skyparksecure.com
Telephone: 0845 4599 250
Web:

http://www.skyparksecure.com

SkyPark Steve is on a mission to get your holiday off to a cracker! Continuing his tour of the UK, Steve arrived at Liverpool In2 Car Parking to check out the facilities and meet up with some customers.

First port of call was to check out how secure the car park is and make sure that the shuttle buses run on time. Big scores on all points – customers didn’t wait long at all for their lift to the airport and the security promised by In2 lived up to expectations.

The car park is fully secure with crash barriers, wire fencing, CCTV and 24 hour patrols. Steve also interviewed a key member of staff and was impressed by the level of care the staff offer.

Adele from Liverpool In2 told us what makes In2 a winner at Liverpool Airport;  “Our car park is really easy to find; it’s in a great location on the main Boulevard towards the airport, and our customer service is second to none which is proven by our regular returning customers.”

Steve was delighted as usual to meet a family jetting off to Spain on their jollies and while one little chap was equally pleased to meet Steve, his elder brother couldn’t give two monkeys. Will get you next time!