Parking a Rental Car at Melbourne Airport Long Term Car Park - Feasible?

LAdventitia on 24/11/2016 - 23:57
Last edited 25/11/2016 - 16:34

Wondering if anyone has faced this situation before. I have family visiting me in Melbourne, and we will be renting a car to go around. In the middle of the Melbourne trip, we will be flying off to Hobart to visit relatives for 3 days, and after that will be returning to Melbourne for a few more days to end the holiday.

I have calculated, and it's actually cheaper to rent a car for the entire duration of the Melbourne trip, and pay for airport parking during the few days we are in Tassie. As opposed to making 2 separate bookings.

My question is, has anyone ever parked a rental car at Melbourne Airport Long Term car park before, and if so, is it allowed? Also, the problem that I have right now is that I don't know the registration number of the rental car (until the day I pick it up) and so I am not sure how to go about making the booking. Was just wondering if anyone has been in the same situation before - if so, how did you do it?

Thanks everyone! To clarify, I'll be using Apex car rentals.

Update: Called Melbourne Airport Parking, they confirmed that the car getting parked doesn't have to match the registration number on the booking. In their own words, "you can just park any car as long as you turn up at the time of booking and use the correct credit card." Guess I'll be doing that then! Thanks for everyone's replies!

Travel

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 25/11/2016 - 00:07
    +2

    At a glance I don't see why not. Car park just wants to be paid for the space and doesn't care who owns the car. Rental just wants the car back undamaged and not used for purposes disallowed by contract (but check fine print). Can't you find a park that doesn't require you to give the rego at booking time?

    • Adventitia on 25/11/2016 - 09:59

      Yeah I thought so too, but wasn't sure. Preferably I'd like to park it at Long Term due to the distance (and it's actually not that much more expensive), but I'll have a look at the others to find out. Thanks!

  • illumination on 25/11/2016 - 00:25
    +2

    I have an idea for you, but not sure how open you would be to the idea.

    Have you heard of Carhood? They have posted on here before.

    The concept is such that someone else (whose car you will be renting) wants free parking at the airport, but to get this free parking they have to share their car (i.e. have it available for rent). You - the renter - then goes onto their website and looks for a car that's available during the period you want it.

    You then hire it at a specified time and date, and then return it at a specified time and date.

    There'll obviously be lots of questions around fines, insurance, accidents which are all covered in their fairly extensive FAQ section.

    Personally I've only used them once, and that was as a sharer. My experience was fine and I really like their concept.

    • Adventitia on 25/11/2016 - 10:00

      Thanks, I'll have a look! But yeah I'd def prefer to stick to the conventional car rental companies as much as possible, like you said due to insurance issues etc

  • mskeggs on 25/11/2016 - 07:37
    +4

    How crazy!
    For a left field idea, how about you call the rental company and ask if you can leave it in their airport lot for the 3 days. Tell them you want to ensure it is secure.
    They might let you leave it for free!

    • altomic on 25/11/2016 - 09:58

      Brilliant idea, It is their car.

    • Adventitia on 25/11/2016 - 10:02

      Wow great idea. I might actually call them to ask! And yeah to book under 2 separate bookings is gonna set me back at least 150 more, that's why I had this crazy idea in the first place!

      • mskeggs on 25/11/2016 - 13:41

        LEt us know how you go so the next time someone is searching google for this thing they will find it.

        • Adventitia on 25/11/2016 - 16:37
          +1

          Rental company was a bit dodgy about it, saying that I can park with them "depending on the situation at that time", when I asked them to elaborate, they just said if they don't have space to park, they'll park it at airport parking, and didn't give me a clear answer as to who would fork the bill if they parked it at the airport carpark.

          Called Melb Airport Parking, and they said don't worry about the rego, as long as there's a booking for one car, I can just drive any car in. So I guess that's what I'm gonna be doing!

  • LustStarrr on 25/11/2016 - 07:38
    +1

    There's a couple of other apps/websites I've browsed a few times, but have never used: Parkhound & Parkopedia. They may be worth a look, if only to compare your options.

    • Adventitia on 25/11/2016 - 10:03
      +1

      I'll have a look! Thanks!

  • Flying Ace on 25/11/2016 - 07:56
    +1

    I don't see why the rental car company would have any issue with you doing what you like (within the bounds of the law and their agreement of course) with the car.

    Best bet is to just call them and explain the situation.

    • Adventitia on 25/11/2016 - 10:04

      Yep I'll probably call, that's seems to be the consensus. Thanks!

  • djsweet on 25/11/2016 - 08:47
    +1

    One time I rented a car at Canberra airport and they give you a code to get out of the carpark. Upon entering the rental carpark to return the car I realised I forgot to fill up with petrol so I went back out using the same code. It seems like I could have had unlimited entry and exit from the carpark for the duration of my rental using the original code they gave me. Could be the same for you?

    • Adventitia on 25/11/2016 - 10:03

      Might be the case, but to be safe I think I'll call the company haha. Thanks!

  • ms_caz on 26/11/2016 - 06:33
    +1

    Just letting you know, we parked our car at Melb Airport long term parking, and came home to find our exhaust/muffler had been removed - as in, hacked out with an angle grinder. Theft of catalytic converters is pretty common, apparently.

    We were able to have a replacement muffler welded in from a local exhaust centre, and Airport Parking reimbursed us the cost of this after a complaint on social media. The replacement/repair has served us well, but not sure a rental company would be happy with that - or anybody who drives a half decent car!

    For wasting our time, costs/money, inconvenience, risk …. there is NO WAY we will ever use Melbourne Longterm Airport Parking again.

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