Parking at PHL
#46
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
Avistar is now Fasttrack and I am now parked in their south lot and will get my car tomorrow if NW is on schedule. I saw nothing re a "fuel surcharge" when I dropped it off and previously scanned their crappy website (BTW: they have a downloadable $1/day coupon at www.fasttrack.com ). Since the upturn traffic at PHL do to SW the Philly parking lots are getting very full and the employees get sometimes nasty. I quickly quit arguing with the usually dumb-n-empowered employees and dispute the bill later with AMEX.
MisterNice
MisterNice
turns out their bill had me dropping off at 1:30am yea right for a 5:30pm flight, thats why it was 5 days.
If you have any problems call a Jane Gonzales at 866-727-5728 ext134, if you booked via Fasttrack site then Id recheck to make sure that theirs nothing mentioned about the fuel surcharge. I found it posted on the site only after she told me it was there, I believe they are covered when it says something about 'other fees may apply'.
I faxed her all my papers including my bill from The Sheraton Bucks County where I stayed the night before dropping off my car, Im expecting a refund for 1 day parking charges plus tax and the $2 surcharge, she said refunds are done only on Thursday, so i will wait and see if it doesnt appear then I will Dispute it with Amex, whom I called from their lot so that it was all noted on my acct.
I still HATE Avistar or FastTrack but ist alot better then Coloinal where I use to park. Never had a prob with Colonial just in the winter prefer a valet place in case its snows, that way they will have cleaned off most of the car and dug it out as well.
Last edited by craz; Jan 22, 2008 at 12:48 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
re: FASTTRACK SOUTH at PHL
My results parking at Fasttrack South......
The good news was the bill was ok (ie no fuel surcharge and they applied the 10% coupon too. The bad news was (1) they had volentarily set my car radio to a local FM rap station (actually IMO not uncommon at any valet lots) but in addition, (2) the a-holes had left my Lexus sun roof partually open (fortunately it has a vent shield) and the seat etc was wet from a snow/rain storm. I called them and "Pati-the-manager" said it was "probably from the remote operated Lexus key". I sad ........!! and called AMEX and disputed the charge.
I will continue to avoid any "valet services" especially those at airports.
MisterNice
The good news was the bill was ok (ie no fuel surcharge and they applied the 10% coupon too. The bad news was (1) they had volentarily set my car radio to a local FM rap station (actually IMO not uncommon at any valet lots) but in addition, (2) the a-holes had left my Lexus sun roof partually open (fortunately it has a vent shield) and the seat etc was wet from a snow/rain storm. I called them and "Pati-the-manager" said it was "probably from the remote operated Lexus key". I sad ........!! and called AMEX and disputed the charge.
I will continue to avoid any "valet services" especially those at airports.
MisterNice
#48
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
re; Fastrack PHL
spoke with the HQ today and was assured my refund for both the 1 extra day and fuel surcharge was to be sent out today (was told last Fri when I called its only done on Thurs).
seems that after my call they did some checking up and decided the system as it was was prone to mistakes. So supposingly they now have the fuel surcharge included in the rate
Ill find out on Sun when I go back there, at least PCCA (the parent company) said they will take care of me if its not correct and refund me, actually she was happy I was going back so this way they can know for sure if the corrections were made as they asked the locations to do so.
seems that after my call they did some checking up and decided the system as it was was prone to mistakes. So supposingly they now have the fuel surcharge included in the rate
Ill find out on Sun when I go back there, at least PCCA (the parent company) said they will take care of me if its not correct and refund me, actually she was happy I was going back so this way they can know for sure if the corrections were made as they asked the locations to do so.
#49




Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Lower Merion Township, PA, (an inner-ring suburb to the Socialist Workers City/State of Philadelphia, PA)
Posts: 597
I know this is slightly off track, but I've had nothing but good luck with AviStar at the Newark Airport in the last 6 months. They were quick at everything, from pull in and parking, to delivery to the terminal to pickup on return flight.
They have two locations at EWR, and I've used the McClellan Street location. There's a hefty discount for the daily rates through a corporate account, that's why I do it. But what really made me post here was my first (and still continuing) impression of that location, that being if something went wrong with my vehicle while parked there or a problem with the charges, the surly employees there would not be helpful, I figured I'd have to work it through some CS line or AMEX, .... same as the actual experiences mentioned above.
They have two locations at EWR, and I've used the McClellan Street location. There's a hefty discount for the daily rates through a corporate account, that's why I do it. But what really made me post here was my first (and still continuing) impression of that location, that being if something went wrong with my vehicle while parked there or a problem with the charges, the surly employees there would not be helpful, I figured I'd have to work it through some CS line or AMEX, .... same as the actual experiences mentioned above.
#50
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
PHL Fast- Track North
OK got back yestrday from another trip. they got the # of days correct but wanted to charge me $1.60+ more then it should have been for some Surcharges that they dont have posted.
In the end they charged me $7.95 aday instead of $7 but gave me the AAA rate (not a member and didnt ask for the AAA rate) which is a 15% discount, so I paid $2 less then what I knew it was suppose to be.
Seems this place is no different then a Slot in Vegas, You never know how its gonna come out.
I need a place that doesnt play games, so looks as if FT is carrying on as if its still Avistar and its goodby from me
In the end they charged me $7.95 aday instead of $7 but gave me the AAA rate (not a member and didnt ask for the AAA rate) which is a 15% discount, so I paid $2 less then what I knew it was suppose to be.
Seems this place is no different then a Slot in Vegas, You never know how its gonna come out.
I need a place that doesnt play games, so looks as if FT is carrying on as if its still Avistar and its goodby from me
#51
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
PHL FastTrack North Self-Park
OK tried their self-park lot, had to drive around for a few mins last Sun till I found an open spot, that was the only sore point.
when I picked up my car yesterday at the gate I gave my 10% off coupon and I was asked for the exact amount I calculated I needed to pay for my 3 days , no extra fees of any type were charged.
So for $6.25 a day, seems like I will simply park at this lot although I prefer the Valet. Valet just brings on alot of headaches in wrong and extra charges.
Bout the only time I will still Valet is if I feel theres a good chance that while away there will be Snow, with Valet they will clean off my windows and get the car out, dont really want to go thru that after I just landed and got off a flight.
when I picked up my car yesterday at the gate I gave my 10% off coupon and I was asked for the exact amount I calculated I needed to pay for my 3 days , no extra fees of any type were charged.
So for $6.25 a day, seems like I will simply park at this lot although I prefer the Valet. Valet just brings on alot of headaches in wrong and extra charges.
Bout the only time I will still Valet is if I feel theres a good chance that while away there will be Snow, with Valet they will clean off my windows and get the car out, dont really want to go thru that after I just landed and got off a flight.
#52
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ PPS, Mar LTT, Hyatt LTG, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,156
Can you leave your car in the lot at any of the hotels? Aloft? Sheraton Suites? Hilton? HI?
#53



Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 6,059
#54
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ PPS, Mar LTT, Hyatt LTG, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,156
Good point. I called Aloft (SPG) and they offer parking for $5/night. For $229 or so they have one night stay with 7 nights of parking. As this will be an SPG award stay the $5/night it just fine.
#55

Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: Delta Gold, Priority Club Gold, Hilton & Marriott Silver
Posts: 292
woe is me, the airfare from ABE skyrocketed so we'll be flying from PHL for the 2nd time and I'd like to know if anyone has recommendations (or warnings) for off-site airport parking sites at PHL? (We'll be HEADED south on I-95 if that makes a difference.) We don't anticipate wintry weather on our next trip so covered parking isn't a requirement for this trip.
We weren't happy with our experience in the airport's economy lot. (We had to drive around and around to find a spot, schlepped our bags to the closest bus stop only to discover that stop was closed, then schlepped our bags back past the car to go to the next nearest bus stop. Had we known, we would have definitely dropped our bags off at the terminal curb!)
THANKS (and I hope I posted this to the proper forum).
We weren't happy with our experience in the airport's economy lot. (We had to drive around and around to find a spot, schlepped our bags to the closest bus stop only to discover that stop was closed, then schlepped our bags back past the car to go to the next nearest bus stop. Had we known, we would have definitely dropped our bags off at the terminal curb!)
THANKS (and I hope I posted this to the proper forum).
#56
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 342
I found their economy parking to be fine. Found a spot within 15 seconds and the shuttle stop was just a row in front. So, don't think that one bad experience is representative of the whole.
With that being said, Park Jet is another option. But, honestly there are many if you search of google. http://www.longtermparking.com/COUPONS/cpramadaphl.htm
With that being said, Park Jet is another option. But, honestly there are many if you search of google. http://www.longtermparking.com/COUPONS/cpramadaphl.htm
#57

Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: Delta Gold, Priority Club Gold, Hilton & Marriott Silver
Posts: 292
I found their economy parking to be fine. Found a spot within 15 seconds and the shuttle stop was just a row in front. So, don't think that one bad experience is representative of the whole.
With that being said, Park Jet is another option. But, honestly there are many if you search of google. http://www.longtermparking.com/COUPONS/cpramadaphl.htm
With that being said, Park Jet is another option. But, honestly there are many if you search of google. http://www.longtermparking.com/COUPONS/cpramadaphl.htm
Yep, I agree there are MANY off-site lots from which to choose... which is my dilemma exactly - which one to choose. Googled for ratings but came up with only 1 rating on a couple of places through yellowpages.com and felt that could've been planted by the off-site lot themselves in the cases of good feedback. If you're recommending ParkJet, then I'll keep that in my back pocket as a fallback plan and, on our return might swing by that facility to see what it's like.
thanks! I just needed to be pointed in the right direction.
#58
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Wynnewood, PA USA
Posts: 2,325
I park at the PHL economy lot when I can. Most of the time I have no problem finding a spot that is even walkable to the terminals.
One should be aware that this lot fills often now since many spots went away due to the runway extension project. If you plan to park here give yourself enough extra time to find alternatives if necessary.
One should be aware that this lot fills often now since many spots went away due to the runway extension project. If you plan to park here give yourself enough extra time to find alternatives if necessary.
#60
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
if parking for over a week Colonial south of PHL is the cheapest as its $8.50 a day and a free day with every 7 that you are there. thats with the coupon from www.longtermparking.com
so park for 7 days and pay for 6, that $8.50 includes txs and its net net
so park for 7 days and pay for 6, that $8.50 includes txs and its net net

