This was posted 6 years 4 months 10 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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[Hack] Melbourne Airport T123 $8 & T4 Parking 2.5 Hours for $7 Anytime (Online Booking Required)

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[Hack] Melbourne Airport T123 $8 & T4 Parking 2.5 Hours for $7 Anytime (Online Booking Required)
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enzso on 11/07/2018 - 23:01 melbourneairport.com.au (6443 clicks)
Last edited 21/12/2022 - 10:17 by 2 other users

Please advise if this doesn't belong here, but a neat workaround if you need to park at Melb airport to send someone off or meet someone arriving.

Drive up rates at T123 are $12 for the first hour and $24 for 90 mins. But if you book online you get a grace period of 1 hour either side of your booked entry and exit times. So say you book 3pm to 3.30pm. You can enter as early as 2pm and exit up until 4.30pm without incurring additional charges. All for $7. Same applies to T4.

Edit 21/12/22: now $8 at T4 too. Did this yesterday, Grace period still applies.

Edit 22/1: T1, T2, T3 now $8 (Up from $7).

Edit 4/1/21: This offer is still current - I just booked online today. 2.5 hours for $8. Drive up rate for 2-3 hours is $45.

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closed Comments

  • Wolfy on 11/07/2018 - 23:36

    Cool thanks, will try it in a few weeks.

  • josho9 on 11/07/2018 - 23:41

    Have you checked that the one hour after grace period is not brought forward to begin one hour after your actual entry time? This seems like a surprising result.

    • enzso on 11/07/2018 - 23:46
      +6

      T&Cs state entering early doesn't impact your exit grace period. Take the scenario of booking for a 3 day stay. Entering an hour early doesn't change your exit time. The same rules apply to all bookings, irrespective of duration.

      • nightelves on 11/07/2018 - 23:47

        That is amazing! Thanks OP!

  • Joyi27 on 11/07/2018 - 23:46

    Does it have any validity date..as it can be used rarely though with me.

    • enzso on 11/07/2018 - 23:49

      It's their ongoing current price and current parking conditions. It's not a special offer.

      • sween64 on 12/07/2018 - 08:54
        -4

        So usual online price is $7 for 30 minutes? And you are utilising the two x one hour grace periods to extend your stay, right?

        • melbstheburn on 12/07/2018 - 09:15
          +10

          How much simpler can it be explained to you.

  • hashtagbargain on 12/07/2018 - 00:16
    +11

    Can confirm, have done this a couple of times in the past and has worked consistently.

    Pay for half hour, get 2.5 hours parking - makes airport runs more reasonable/tolerable.

    • anonymous01 on 12/07/2018 - 12:10
      +13

      Why didn't you let us know? Leave your OzBargain license on the way out please.

      • 1jwoz on 14/07/2018 - 00:41
        +1

        Because then the loophole will get closed just like any other good deal. I have a few hacks that I hope nobody will ever post here because of this very reason.

        • capslock janitor on 12/07/2019 - 16:15

          The OZB agents will find you, and interrogate you.

  • almostfrench on 12/07/2018 - 01:58
    +2

    Great find.
    I wish I knew this earlier.
    Been paying full price for up to 3hrs everytime
    Thanks

  • Palamedes on 12/07/2018 - 04:00
    +1

    Does anyone know if this works in Brisbane Airport? I will check their T&Cs when I can but just wondering.

    • Shonky on 12/07/2018 - 09:01

      I have "overstayed" on a booked period in the long term by what would have been less than an hour and was charged extra when leaving. It was a while back so don't have exact details. There is some grace period but I don't think it will be an hour either side.

      Only way you'll really know is to try and be prepared to pay the extra if it doesn't work out.

      • josho9 on 12/07/2018 - 14:17

        As per OP's confirmation from reviewing the terms, if the terms are quite clear and the machine tries to charge you extra, you should call an attendant and argue.

  • pongky on 12/07/2018 - 04:40

    I have booked online for car parking in the CBD as well and remember noticing some notes about a 1 hour grace period. So probably can be done at other car park booking sites as well potentially. Anyway nice hack! I hate having to pay $20 or whatever whenever I go to pickup or drop someone off at Tullamarine

  • capslock on 12/07/2018 - 04:47

    Still requires advance planning though. The website doesn't take bookings with less than 2 hours notice.

    • noyesmaybeok on 12/07/2018 - 06:52
      +8

      How many flights are you booking that depart in less than 2 hours?

      • enzso on 12/07/2018 - 07:12
        +32

        Yes I could confidently say I've never been randomly driving past the airport and thought, "I'll just pop in".

      • Kikiriki on 12/07/2018 - 08:27
        +3

        Planning arrivals is a challenge as a flight could be delayed and you can't change a pre-booked parking time.

        • enzso on 12/07/2018 - 08:46
          +7

          If you pay an extra dollar you can book a flexi rate which you can cancel anytime prior to entering. And if you get delayed after arrival then you'll pay the same as you would have had you not prebooked.

        • sane on 12/07/2018 - 09:41

          Just checked. You can basically book up to 3 hours before the booked time.

          If you are meeting an international flight that's enough time that it's already in the air. So you should have a good idea of it's arrival time.

        • burningrage on 12/07/2018 - 12:32

          @sane:

          Use Flightradar to help estimate arrival time.

    • Flying Ace on 12/07/2018 - 08:10
      +1

      So when you say advance planning, you mean similar to the kind of advanced planning you need to do when booking a flight?

  • justinh93 on 12/07/2018 - 07:31

    Awesome hack! Thanks for sharing.

  • X4iVaz on 12/07/2018 - 07:32

    I did this last year, and got scared as I was over my 30minute pre-booked time, but I still got out :)

    • lainey13 on 12/07/2018 - 22:29

      Even if you're 30 mins over the 1hr grace period they're not going to trap you forever….
      They just charge you the extra.

  • Atomic117 on 12/07/2018 - 07:42

    Fyi this also applies to private parking companies Secure Parking and Wilson's Parking. Wilson's is 1h grace period. Secure parking used to be 30m, but looks like it may have reduced to 15m

    • abc on 12/07/2018 - 08:37

      and now that this has been posted watch the "grace period" reduce :(

      • enzso on 21/12/2022 - 10:22

        Been going over 4 years at least now

  • King Tightarse on 12/07/2018 - 07:57

    nice one op

  • FBI on 12/07/2018 - 08:00
    +1

    Nah!! I would still try to coordinate pickups and drop offs instead of giving these leaches any money. They got T4 now and the car park is empty.

    • sween64 on 12/07/2018 - 08:56
      +5

      20 minute free park and wait area is handy. If there's no one behind me when I arrive I also idle in front of the boom gate and read all the T&C's thoroughly, that gives me another 10 minutes free.

      • enander on 12/07/2018 - 10:28
        +4

        My MO for the free parka and wait, wait for 18 min, go out (20 second loop) and come back in again for another 18 min. I think my record is 4 times due to a delayed flight.

        OzB has thought me well.

      • movieman on 12/07/2018 - 10:29

        Great idea!!!

  • aaruu on 12/07/2018 - 08:26

    Awesomeness, thanks OP.

  • CheeryCheapskate on 12/07/2018 - 08:41
    -5

    Curious to try this one. Because I'm a tight-ass, I usually wait at MacDonald's carpark like many others until I get a call to pick up friends/family which only takes 5-7 minutes to reach the airport.

    • stevtom27 on 12/07/2018 - 08:49

      You know there is a dedicated waiting bay for that purpose right?

      • CheeryCheapskate on 12/07/2018 - 09:13

        I thought they were only up to 10-20 minutes.

        • Tony-Abbott on 12/07/2018 - 09:38

          Free for 20min, then drive out and enter again. Not hard.

  • firestormx on 12/07/2018 - 08:59

    This is great! I want to try this next time I pick someone up from the airport. How does this work? I understand that you put in your registration when you book online. Do you just skip the pay station and go directly to the exits (assuming you're within the 1hr grace period) with the ticket?

    • Ametric on 12/07/2018 - 09:25
      +1

      you just use your chosen credit/debit card on entry/exit, it works as your ticket

    • soc on 12/07/2018 - 09:28
      +1

      You book online with a credit card. Then when you go through the entry and exit gates, instead of taking a ticket, you insert and remove the same credit card used to make the booking.

  • sslc on 12/07/2018 - 09:42

    OMG. Thanks for letting us know. I have to go to airport on avg around 8 times a year. (mother-in-law flying in and out).
    Nervous to try out, however will be testing this on Friday. (although I don't really need 2.5hr for a pickup, unless the plane is late: Last pick up the plan due to Melb fob meant 5hr delay)

  • sslc on 12/07/2018 - 09:43
    +1

    Also note, you can also go to the 4hr short stay for $10. They have a shuttle bus leaving every 10 mins.
    https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/Passengers/Parking/value…

    (This is a simple drive in and pay. You can't pre-book this online)

  • sslc on 12/07/2018 - 09:44
    +1

    Also for those wanting to double check: Here is what Melb airport officially state in their FAQ:
    You can enter the car park within 1 hour either side of your confirmed booking time for no additional charge. If you enter outside of this grace period, your credit card will be debited with the cost of the additional time spent in the car park, based on the overstay rates.

    • GG57 on 12/07/2018 - 10:26

      Thanks.
      I always thought the grace period only relates to the entry time, and this quote seems to agree with that:
      "…can enter the car park within 1 hour either side of your confirmed booking time…".
      So only the entry has the grace period?

      • enzso on 12/07/2018 - 10:57

        No, the exit also

  • sslc on 12/07/2018 - 09:49
    +1

    Also, be careful with the 10min short stay. It may be obvious to many, but its really UP TO 10mins. Last time I tried, I timed it VERY TIGHT to the second and I think I must have been 3 seconds over. The ticket was printed to the minute and was exactly 10mins (no seconds) and I was charged $10. I tried to challenge it, however got the typical response of: That it was correct and I was charged accordingly!.

    Also note, 10 minutes isn't enough time for you to park, run inside to find your loved one, run back to the carpark, load up the luggage and then drive out to the gate!. They need to make this a 20 minute pickup!!

    • Piranha2004 on 17/07/2018 - 13:56

      Wasnt it always 20 mins?

  • sslc on 12/07/2018 - 09:51

    In any case, hope the above helps everyone make the right parking decisions from my lessons learnt! Good luck!

  • King Tightarse on 12/07/2018 - 10:21
    +2

    Absolutely any way of shoving it to these profiteering son of b@%$ches is good IMHO

    • arcticmonkey on 12/07/2018 - 21:31

      Agreed. I hate the private parking scum.

  • the4thzodiac on 12/07/2018 - 10:35
    +1

    Not a hack per se, but a feature, as this has been the case for a very long time (re: year(s)) and they encourage pre-booking. In saying that I've used this maybe twice (ever) and in all other instances pay $0 for the Ring & Ride option :D.

    • lainey13 on 12/07/2018 - 22:31

      Yep my family never give money to the carparks. Only the Mcdonalds tax :)

  • sslc on 12/07/2018 - 22:33

    Hi,
    Just booked for tomorrow. Usually they allow you to park in T123, however they didn't give me the option and only allowed me T4 parking! WTF?
    Booked b/w 9:30am and 10:00am.
    Looks like they are reserving T123 for Premium and Valet!

    Another questionable change from Melbourne airport without notifying customers.

  • probargainer on 12/07/2018 - 22:37
    +1

    Terminals 123 not showing up in search results. Only Premium T123 showing up at $20. Anyone else having the same issue?

    • [Deactivated] on 13/07/2018 - 00:30
      +1

      I’d say this has been ozbargained

    • GG57 on 13/07/2018 - 09:02
      +1

      Must be related to the dates you chose; I put in some dates in Aug and the result showed all T123, T4, plus the long-terms + others.

    • shiznit on 13/07/2018 - 18:03

      I had the same problem when I had a look last night, but it seems to be working now.

  • edreamer46 on 13/07/2018 - 11:14

    Simple calculation can be -
    Book a parking starting 90 minutes after the flight arrival time.

    For example -
    Flight land time: 8 PM
    Parking start time/end time to be booked : 9:30 PM to 10 PM
    You can enter car park at: 8:30 PM (Assuming enough time given till flight lands and bags are collected and also minor delays)
    You can leave the car park by: 11 PM

    • enzso on 13/07/2018 - 11:23

      I have no problem getting $7 30 min at T123 for tomorrow. Select terminal first (T1 Qantas), entry date and time, exit date and time and "get my quote". Shows up no problem

  • OzBestDeal on 13/07/2018 - 12:09

    Is this hack works on Sydney airport too?

  • kusakababe on 13/07/2018 - 14:04
    +1

    Thanks!!! I just tried it this morning and it works!!!

  • wendywho on 13/07/2018 - 22:49

    Great hack! Just booked for tomorrow!

  • BALLE BALLE on 14/07/2018 - 08:48

    Sorry for some reason didn't work for me :( I made booking last night & used same Amex cc to enter & exit but for some reason got charged $12 again. In total it cost me around $20. I entered & exit parking within 1.5hour.

    • enzso on 14/07/2018 - 09:20

      You should complain

    • lainey13 on 14/07/2018 - 19:10

      What was the exact time of your booking, and the exact times of your entry and exit?

      • BALLE BALLE on 14/07/2018 - 20:53
        +5

        Sorry guys it's all my mistake. I accidentally booked for 6.30-7PM rather than 6.30-7AM.Admin please delete my comment.

  • Associatedkrish-KK @ Melbourne Airport on 14/07/2018 - 20:12
    -1

    Even for i could able to see the $7 for 2.30 hours parking. I am trying to book on 16th from 1.30 pm to 4.00 pm. It came to 22$. Am I missing something? :(

    • bg on 14/07/2018 - 20:43

      If you plan to be at the airport from 1:30 to 4pm, book 2:30 to 3pm (30 minutes). The one hour grace period on either side allows entry at 1:31 and an exit of 3:59. I like to err on the safe side.

  • Associatedkrish-KK @ Melbourne Airport on 15/07/2018 - 10:33

    Thanks, heaps bg. Not I got it and done the booking.

  • archkesha on 17/07/2018 - 21:41
    +1

    Thanks OP! T1, T2, and T3 online booking sold out 3 hours prior to flight arrival. Not to worry! - booked T4 for $7 as the pick up flight was Virgin (T3 terminal). Extra 2 min walk, just park at T3 end. Used my credit card to swipe in and out of the car park. Easy. Flight landed at 6:45pm. I booked for 7pm in and 7:30pm out.

  • ArbitRambler on 24/07/2018 - 17:29

    Thanks OP!

  • melbstheburn on 30/07/2018 - 12:25

    Did this on Saturday, can confirm it works

  • twister292 on 19/08/2018 - 08:11

    Tried today and it didn't work… Booked 530AM to 6AM. Entered 510 and exited 637,got charged the drive up rate when exiting.

  • twister292 on 28/08/2018 - 01:29
    +2

    Update: It's still on. Melbourne Airport confirmed that I was overcharged due to a system error.

  • s0805 on 03/11/2018 - 09:33

    Hi guys, making sure if this is still working. anyone tried recently?

    • daydream on 03/11/2018 - 18:07

      It should, it's on their webpage: https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/Passengers/Parking/at-te…

      "What if I arrive early or leave later?
      You can enter the car park within 1 hour either side of your confirmed booking time for no additional cost. If you enter outside of this grace period, your credit card will be debited with the cost of the additional time spent in the car park, based on the over stay rates."

      —
      I booked for tomorrow and it's clearly shown in the conirmation email too:

      "There is a 1-hour grace period either side of your booking times. If you arrive outside of this grace period you will be charged for the additional length of your stay at Melbourne Airport's drive-up rates and you will not be entitled to a refund or credit on those charges."

      • Mirage on 29/01/2019 - 17:42

        Yes this is true! After booking I get an email receipt that clearly states this 1hr grace period on either side. This is not really a hack anymore but I did appreciate the OP in making everyone aware of this very useful terms!!! Definitely makes me much much less stressed when doing airport pickups that requires some parking wait times than circling the airport again and again.

        Thank you Enzso!

  • varunynr on 21/06/2019 - 12:19

    Booked. What a great post. Welldone.

    • babiguling on 01/07/2019 - 12:13

      Hi mate, from the T&C I could not see 1 hour grace period for ENTRY. only for exit
      did you receive any confirmation email for 1 hour entry grace period?
      Asking you, coz you are the most recent comment. I need to book one on 4th July
      Thanks in advance

      Thanks OP for the tips!

      https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/Passengers/Terms-conditi…

      i. There is a 1 hour grace period for exit after your booked exit time. If you exit more than 1 hour after your booked exit time, you will be charged for the time beyond one hour after your booked exit time at Melbourne Airport’s Overstay Tariff Car Park rates (noting that these rates may vary from the rates quoted via the online booking system) and you will not be entitled to a refund or credit on those charges. Click here for Melbourne Airport Overstay Tariff Car Parks Rates.

      • garffi on 01/07/2019 - 12:30
        +1

        I went to the airport on June 28th and this is what I received on my email confirmation.

        There is a 1-hour grace period either side of your booking times. If you arrive outside of this grace period you will be charged for the additional length of your stay at Melbourne Airport's drive-up rates and you will not be entitled to a refund or credit on those charges

        • babiguling on 01/07/2019 - 12:32

          ah awesome! thanks for letting me know mate.

  • DaWeizOne on 11/07/2022 - 11:23

    Can anyone confirm this is trick still works?

    • deepakkumar1983 on 17/10/2022 - 08:31

      I am gonna test this over this weekend!

      • DaWeizOne on 17/10/2022 - 09:20
        +1

        Defn works☺️ Tested twice

  • deepakkumar1983 on 17/10/2022 - 08:32

    EXCERPT FROM PARKING FAQ

    Can I enter the car park earlier or later than my confirmed booking time?

    You may arrive up to two hours before your booked entry time. If you arrive any earlier than the time prior to two hours before your booked entry time, you will be charged at drive-up rates for your entire stay (noting that these rates may vary from the rates quoted via the online booking system) and you will not be entitled to a refund or credit on those charges. View Melbourne Airport’s drive-up rates.

    You may enter a car park any time after your booked entry time, or exit a car park any time before your booked exit time, without incurring any additional fees. If you exit a car park before your booked exit time (as confirmed by Melbourne Airport via email), you will not be entitled to a refund or adjustment. There is a one hour grace period for exit after your booked exit time. If you exit more than one hour after your booked exit time, you will be charged for the extra time beyond one hour after your booked exit time at Melbourne Airport’s Overstay Tariff car park rates (noting that these rates may vary from the rates quoted via the online booking system) and you will not be entitled to a refund or credit on those charges. Click here for Melbourne Airport over stay rates.

  • AEIOfamily on 17/05/2023 - 15:08

    Hi, can anyone confirm if this still work today please? Thanks

  • JoJo1 on 29/06/2023 - 16:53

    Hi AEIO, did you park at the airport & did it work please?

  • jsb on 04/09/2023 - 20:16
    +1

    It's expired now. Terms and conditions have been updated. It's now only 15 min. Grace period each side for booking less than 4 hr. Parking.

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