Don’t forget to do this before heading to the airport for your holiday flight

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Holiday travel is starting, and with more than 55 million people projected to travel during the upcoming holiday week, it will be busy out there. In fact, more than 3.2 million people are expected to fly in the U.S. on the Sunday after Thanksgiving alone.

At many airports across the country, with all those passengers in the air, many cars fill the parking lots. In the last few years, we’ve seen airport parking lots hit capacity several times, and we expect that to happen in some spots again this week. Some airport social media accounts are already offering some warnings to that effect.

It’s been a busy holiday travel period and our parking facilities are consistently reaching full capacity. Prior to your travels, please visit our website for parking status, prices and locations.
🚙 https://t.co/ksR2zG7tve pic.twitter.com/BJeltK5IU5

— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) November 15, 2023

To ensure there’s a spot for your car where you like to park at the airport, the safest bet is to go ahead and lock that reservation in now. Sometimes, those who book in advance can also save some over the drive-up rate.

A packed parking lot in July 2022 at Raleigh/Durham International Airport (RDU). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

On the airport’s website, you can likely go to the parking reservations page, input the day or time you’ll arrive at the airport and indicate when you plan to leave. You can also select which terminal you’ll be using.

Booking in advance can save you money, too

Another thing to remember is that by booking your parking and paying in advance, you can often tap into some savings. These savings can go as high as 50%, though savings during holiday times may not always be quite that high.

Below, you can see the example per-day savings for parking at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW); savings come in at $13.25 – $18.50 per day just by booking holiday dates ahead of time.

Bottom line

When hustling to make a flight during the busy holiday travel season, the last thing you want to do is have to drive in circles for 20 minutes searching for an airport parking space — or not be able to get into the parking lot at all.

Since airports offer parking reservations, if you know now that you’ll be flying — and driving to the airport — it’s likely best to go ahead and lock in your space now.

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