Gone are the days when travelers looking for parking coupons had to comb through magazines and newspapers to find the rare (and often measly) discount coupon. These days, air travelers trying to find the best deals and discounts for parking at JFK airport only have to go online for a few minutes, choose from a wide range of parking options, and reserve their parking well in advance of their scheduled flight. .
Thanks to the Internet, people now have the power to choose their ideal parking lot at JFK Airport and reserve their option instantly, with just a few clicks of the mouse, without the need for calls or trips. Nothing can be easier, right? Wrong. The Smart JFK Parking app makes making parking reservations easier and more convenient.
Launched by SmartPark JFK, the newest and reportedly the best parking facility outside of JFK Airport to date, the ‘Smart’ app allows users to log into SmartPark’s mobile site and make reservations to park at JFK airport even without access to a computer using their cell phones only. Announced last fall, the smart mobile app promises to be a next-level customer service tool for time-constrained air travelers.
“Today, more than ever, there is a lot of choice, but not great service,” says Adam Smith, director of operations at SmartPark JFK. The Smart Park JFK mobile app “exemplifies SmartPark JFK’s broader commitment to the consumer, always thinking of ways to improve the customer experience.”
The main advantages of this application, of course, are the ability to easily book without using a computer and hosting on the site. This means that you do not need to purchase the app or download it to your mobile phone. Since it runs on SmartPark JFK’s servers, it won’t consume much of your phone’s battery time.
The Smart app is quite popular with the more tech-savvy 25-42 age group and is making inroads with the 50+ age group as well. SmartPark JFK estimates that about 10% of all JFK long-term parking reservations are made through its app.
The main drawback I can think of is that it doesn’t offer any other options to the traveler. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing: surfers in a hurry can easily make reservations in a couple of minutes, from anywhere, as long as they have their cell phones with them. On the contrary, it would take them at least 10 minutes to review the different offers, if they have access to the pages of the other companies that provide parking at JFK airport. And, as mentioned above, the SmartPark JFK facility in Queens recently opened and offers one of the most competitive rates in the industry.
However, if you have time, try to see what the other parking lots and hotels around the airport have to offer. Whether you’re using the Smart app or your old laptop to navigate, the important thing is to find the best deals out there (there are plenty, as you’ll see) and reserve your parking early. See what other people are saying about the company you’re planning to do business with: Apps and computers are great tools when you’re bargain hunting for the best parking at JFK Airport, but in the end, it’s the experiences (with these facilities) of travelers like you that really matter.