Spring Break Archives - ParqEx

3 Tips and 3 Apps For Your Spring Break Traveling

Claudia Bechthold — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 13:37:36 +0000

The days are getting longer, the temperatures are starting to rise — spring is definitely in the air. That can only mean one thing — Spring Break! Thousands of people will be doing a lot of traveling within the next few weeks. To kick things off and get your travelling juices flowing, here are 3 apps to help you with your Spring Break travels.

TripIt – This travel app does it all. All you have to do is forward your confirmation emails (for hotels, car rentals, air travel, etc) to TripIt, and it will turn them all into a custom itinerary for you. You can edit that itinerary as needed, and share it with others in your party. You can do all this with the free version of the app. If you want TripIt Pro, you can also see flights in real-time, locate alternate flights, and you’ll have access to VIP travel benefits that can save you money.
ParqEx – Whether you’re planning on a visit to Chicago, or you’re going to be leaving your Chicago home for a sandier, saltier destination, this handy parking app is a must-have. If you are visiting Chicago, you can use this app to make sure downtown parking will not put a crimp in your travel style. You can rent a parking spot for the duration of your trip, and not spend an arm and a leg. If you are leaving town, and you currently own a parking spot, you can rent that spot out and let it make you a little extra souvenir money while you’re gone.
BringFido – For those of you who wish to travel with your four-legged furbaby, this app will be your new best friend (after the furbaby, of course!). You can search for pet-friendly hotels, dog parks, and vet clinics in and around your travel destination. There are tons of resources about travelling with your pet, and information about what you need to know if you’re looking to fly with your furry companion.

Now that you have your apps downloaded, let’s take a look at three things you don’t want to forget to do before you leave on your trip.

Don’t let your mail pile up. – Mail that is piling up can be a big tip-off to thieves that there is no one home. Make plans to have your mail picked up by a neighbor, friend, or family member. If that isn’t doable, you can also make a request with USPS to have your mail held. You can schedule a hold anywhere from 30 days in advance, all the way up til 2 a.m. CST the day you’re leaving. Bear in mind that the postal system isn’t open on Sundays so you won’t be able to make your request on that day.
Get a pet-sitter. – If your pet isn’t traveling with you this time, or if you have a pet that isn’t much of a traveler (like an aquatic pet), you will want to allow plenty of time to get a pet-sitter scheduled. Leave detailed instructions for the sitter about food, treats, play time, known anxieties, medications, etc. It’s generally a good idea to have the sitter come over a few times before you leave to allow your pet time to get used to them. You will also want to leave your contact information and your vet’s contact information in a central place should the sitter have a question or an emergency.
Let your bank know where you’re going. – Giving your bank a head’s up that you will be using your card in a new location can prevent them from freezing your funds. A lot of banks will monitor where (in what city) your card is used, and if an unfamiliar place pops up, they may stop all transactions to make sure it’s you that’s using your card. If you live in Ohio, and you’re going to Florida on vacation, by letting them know in advance where you will be heading, they won’t freeze your card when they see charges in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia — they’ll know the general direction you’re going in.

If you have questions about Spring Break travelling, feel free to contact us with them. Please let us know, also, if you have any questions about using the ParqEx app, or about how ParqEx works. We want to help you have a happy and safe Spring Break!

The post 3 Tips and 3 Apps For Your Spring Break Traveling appeared first on ParqEx.

3 Tips for Planning Your Spring Break Travel This Year

Claudia Bechthold — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:02:06 +0000

It’s almost time for Spring Break; the annual school holiday millions of college students and their families look forward to each year. Hundreds of thousands of students will be hitting the streets, looking for a week’s worth of excitement and everlasting memories. If you’re looking to hit the big, beautiful, “Windy City” of Chicago, Illinois this year for your Spring Break then don’t forget these three important tips to make the most of your memorable experience.

Parking

Save the walking for once you’re inside your destination. Why chance having to park a significant distance from where you want to be? With the comprehensive and easy-to-use ParqEx app, downloadable on any smart phone, you can find a great spot close to your destination right now, whether it’s Shedd’s Aquarium, the art museum, or Soldier Field.

Parking in downtown Chicago can be a daunting task for even the most experienced travelers. But who wants to pay exorbitant taxi fares, and wait for them to show up to get around the city? You can simply rent a parking space ahead of time, using the same handy ParqEx app. Renting a space ahead of time can get you discount parking as well so you can spend more on souvenirs. If you know where you’re going to be and when, it’s simple to use the app to find a parking space close to your destination.

Hotel

Shop for your hotel room early in the year; even as early as January. Many hotels will be happy to offer you a large discount for booking well in advance of your trip. In many cases the hotel will require up front payment but the savings, which can be as much as $100 or more can be significant enough to be worth it.

As you know, Spring Break is one of the biggest reasons for tourism for big cities like Chicago. Those choice hotel rooms can go faster than you can blink an eye. You can find these great deals for hotel rooms on popular travel sites which will show you an array of hotel options based on your preferences. Deals can also be found on hotel websites.

An app from a site such as Trivago or Hotels.com can help you find a hotel on the go in case you find yourself in the Windy City without a reservation. As an added bonus many travel sites let you bundle your vacation, saving you money on hotel, car, and flight.

Fun

Last, but certainly not least: have fun! This is your Spring Break. Experience it the way you want to experience it. It can be useful to have the Trip Advisor app as well. The app will show you the most popular hot spots in nearly every city in the country including user reviews. An app such as that can also offer more detailed information on restaurants, night life, and local culture such as address, admission information, and whether or not advance reservations are required.

If you are flying to and from Chicago and renting a car in between, consider shipping your souvenirs home before leaving the city. With skyrocketing luggage fees, it’s possible to save a ton of money this way. If your hotel does not offer a mailing service, they can certainly point you towards the nearest United States Postal Service.

Spring break is a time to let loose, kick back, and have a blast. With these handy tips and apps, you take the guess-work out of vacationing in comfort and style. You have the tools close at hand to make it the best Spring Break ever.

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5 Important Things to Consider When Planning a Road Trip

Claudia Bechthold — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 13:00:45 +0000

The road trip is a phenomenon seemingly as old as the automobile itself. Way back when, a road trip was simply to the next town over. These days it is possible to travel across an entire country. While a road trip with your buddies or significant other may differ in purpose and content from a family road trip, it will always be an affordable way to see the sights and spend time with the people who you care about.

That said, what seems like a simple concept (get in the car and drive) can often be derailed by unforeseen circumstances and poor planning. While there are many things you cannot prepare for, there are several ways to get ready for a road trip that can make the trip run more smoothly and make it much more enjoyable for everyone. If you are planning a road trip or intend to soon, below are 5 things to consider.

Destination and Route: While many people just want to hit the open road and see where destiny takes them, not having at least a general destination in mind can result in disaster. Multiple route options are ideal as well. Weather could make the scenic route more treacherous, but on the other hand you could miss a lot of landmarks if you do not plan to drive past them. This plan does not have to be especially rigid, but it can help you prevent unintentionally driving several 8 hour stretches. This is much easier than it used to be with today’s technology with such planning apps as Roadtrippers or TripIt.
Budget: While driving to a destination is much cheaper and more about the journey than flying, expenses can add up very quickly. For example, you may want to meander around an area to see the sights, but gas prices can accumulate, so best see what you can on foot. Apps like Gas Buddy can help you save money on gas. Prepare as much as you can to eat beforehand and share rooms if possible. There are several online travel calculators that can assist in this process.
Parking: While you are driving to most cities or towns, once you get to that destination you will probably want to get out and explore. Unfortunately, in many places parking is not always easily accessible or the rules are unclear. For example, Chicago parking rules differ from New York City parking rules. Fortunately, Parqex has a very helpful parking app that can help in that area. If other cities do not have similar apps, try and scout ahead for discount parking or places you can rent parking for the day. Downtown parking can be especially difficult to find in certain places so take into account the size of the city.
Cash: Even though many people do not like to carry a lot of cash with them, it is important to have some on a road trip for multiple reasons. Toll booths seem to appear in the most random places, and many parking stands still only take cash so make sure to carry both bills and coins. It is also a good idea to keep this in a place other than your wallet in case it is misplaced or stolen.
Stay In Touch: Make sure a friend or family member has a copy of your general itinerary and check in regularly to keep them updated about any changes. This way in anything happens to you or you fail to check in, there is someone who is aware that things may not be ok. Turning on apps like Find My Friends alerts people to your location at all times if assistance is needed.

Of course, there are other important considerations such as proper packing and making sure your car is in the best possible shape. Road trips are a shared common experience that unites us as both individuals and as a culture. That said, it is true that many people look back at their road trips growing up and only recall the broken down car or fighting siblings, so make sure to prepare adequately in order to avoid a negative experience. Contact us to learn more about parking options or any other ways we can help make the trip one that your family and/or friend will remember with a smile.

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