Reason #143 I’m pathetic: extreme couponing, airport car parking edition

Reason #143 I’m pathetic: extreme couponing, airport car parking edition

40

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I’m mildly addicted to the show Extreme Couponing. Who knew anyone could get so excited about Ritz crackers?

Sadly the show is no longer turning into a spectacle but rather my daily life when it comes to airport parking. Today I felt a whole lot like this lady:

That’s right, I actually get a rush out of paying for airport parking. Specifically at the WallyPark Premier Garage in Seattle.

Why do I get so excited? Well the standard rate for parking is $14.95 per night, or you can do rooftop parking for $12.95 per night. I don’t mind a free car wash, so I go with the latter.

Then they have a 25% off discount for AAA members. That brings the rate down to $9.71.

Then even though they say promotions can’t be stacked, there’s almost always a promotion for third day free in the Alaska in-flight magazine, and they’ve always let me combine those.

For a three day stay we’re now down to $6.48 per night.

Then they have a loyalty program card whereby every seventh night is free, so if we prorate that, we’re down to $5.55 per night.

And best of all, Costco sells WallyPark gift cards at half of retail, bringing the cost down to under $3 per day.

Now there are some taxes, but in the end I’m still paying under $5 per day for airport parking. And the entire time they’re processing my checkout I’m sitting in my car literally giggling.

Anyone half as pathetic as I am?

Conversations (40)
The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.
Type your response here.

If you'd like to participate in the discussion, please adhere to our commenting guidelines. Anyone can comment, and your email address will not be published. Register to save your unique username and earn special OMAAT reputation perks!

  1. bill kay Guest

    Costco Carlsbad does NOT sell gift cards that give you half off.

  2. Paul Guest

    @lucky I sent an email to yr pointspros email address. thx lucky!

  3. lucky OMAAT

    @ Paul -- It's not usually available online, but if you email me I'd be happy to forward a PDF of it.

  4. Paul Guest

    where can I find this printable coupon for park 3 dys get 1 dy free?

  5. Matt Guest

    I think it's pathetic that you're not taking an Uber to the airport every time :)

  6. grace OMAAT

    I agree with smitty. Whether it's signing up for every credit card or buying newspapers just for the inserts the behaviors are similar.

  7. Rob Guest

    Both Starbucks and Einstein Bagles will let you use your own travel mugs and give you at least a 10c discount. Plus you accumulate drink stars for a free drink, plus your use your card with 2x restaurant points and it adds up!

  8. mr pete Guest

    anytime I go to starbucks and get an overpriced coffee, I wait until I've finished my coffee and nobody is paying attention to the condiment station. I then fill my entire cup with milk and enjoy a nice cold cup of milk on the house. Feels good to know I'm getting a coffee and a milk for $3 instead of just a coffee. I worked at starbucks when in high school so I know that...

    anytime I go to starbucks and get an overpriced coffee, I wait until I've finished my coffee and nobody is paying attention to the condiment station. I then fill my entire cup with milk and enjoy a nice cold cup of milk on the house. Feels good to know I'm getting a coffee and a milk for $3 instead of just a coffee. I worked at starbucks when in high school so I know that the workers don't care too much. Refilling the condiment stand never bothered ME too much at least....

  9. Lantean Diamond

    @Jane S.

    i think that's called a theft... lol

  10. smitty06 Guest

    I introduced a friend to the points/miles community. One day she calls and asks me "are we extreme couponers?" I said "kind of, we just get international premium cabin flights and they get Gatorade and toilet paper"

  11. Nancy S Guest

    Let's see...Wally check....Rooftop check....AAA check.....Coupon check....Loyalty Program check....wait a minute, I am missing a huge deal by not using Costco! Thanks!

  12. Travis Swanson Member

    @Milesquest - Thanks!

  13. Frank Guest

    Not bad, not bad. The ultimate airport parking lot hack is just a pair of floor mats laid out over those retractable teeth. 10 sec & $0. =^ }

  14. John K Guest

    @Travis Swanson It's an AMEX deal. Go log into your AMEX account and see if the deal is on for your card. It varies by card. You make a minimum $100 purchase at Flemings with the AMEX card that you activated the deal with, and AMEX will automatically give you $50 statement credit. It only works on ONE of your AMEX card, so if you see the deal on other card, once you activate the deal on one of your card, the other cards will no longer show this deal.

  15. dmodemd Guest

    Had bad experience there. No rooftop available so had to wait 10 min for a supervisor to give me the price at checkout even though I made a reservation online that is bogus, you dont reserve anything.
    Best deal is Extra Car through aboutparking.com. 5-6 dollars per day, valet, guaranteed reservation, no coupons, gift cards, or crap at checkoit.

  16. Arcanum Gold

    "Then even though they say promotions can’t be stacked, there’s almost always a promotion for third day free in the Alaska in-flight magazine, and they’ve always let me combine those."

    Who wants to bet they don't let you do that again now that you've bragged about it to the world?

  17. Jane S. New Member

    I drink a lot of soda (Coke to be more specific and no lectures please). I usually get my drinks at 7/11. I save my cups because when you go in the next time, tell the cashier you are getting a refill and then fill up your cup at the dispenser - I save money each and every time I do it.

  18. Carl P Guest

    This begs the question of where do we see the list of reasons 1 to 142. I must have missed those.

  19. Scott Guest

    I fill the miniature booze bottles with the coffee flavors because I refuse to give Starbucks $0.60 for each cup of coffee.

  20. Chara Guest

    Awesome! It's not pathetic to save money so you can use it on something you really enjoy!

  21. hobo13 Guest

    You forgot the 2% year-end rebate for Executive members at Costco. And the 2% that you probably earned on the credit card which you used there. That's another 4%.

    And good grief -- you missed an opportunity to put in an affiliate link for the SPG card to use at Costco! That's an offense that could get you kicked out of BoardingArea!

  22. Kathy H. Guest

    Smart! Not pathetic!

  23. oliver2002 Guest

    If you are gone 7 days, rent a car at 15-20$ each way and earn miles on top :p BTW why do you even have a car? You're never home?!?

  24. Travis Swanson Member

    Milesquest, completely off topic but do you get the $50 off $100 if you order the Flemings gift cards online? Never been to Flemings, and it looks like one great deal!

  25. Ms. M Guest

    Experienced couponers do not watch the show. I hate when I walk into a store with coupons and some idiot wants to typecast me as an 'extreme couponer'. I won't empty a shelf for the sake of a deal.

    I save where I can to do what I want to do. I use coupons and discount codes for many purchases - including travel. But I also frequent good restaurants, farmer's markets and specialty stores for...

    Experienced couponers do not watch the show. I hate when I walk into a store with coupons and some idiot wants to typecast me as an 'extreme couponer'. I won't empty a shelf for the sake of a deal.

    I save where I can to do what I want to do. I use coupons and discount codes for many purchases - including travel. But I also frequent good restaurants, farmer's markets and specialty stores for breads, spices, and the like where coupons are not always available. I am not so addicted to coupons that I HAVE to use them, though a good discount does give one a rush.

    And I agree with Grace - CLT has the best prices around, so I cannot really gripe about not having a discount. The most convenient parking is only $7 per day. You can't beat that.

    And PhatMiles, I am right there with you on donating. Staples double dips are great!

  26. Milesquest New Member

    This describes me exactly. I get excited when a survey prints at Chick-fil-A meaning my next sandwich is free. Or when i get a free route 44 on my next visit at sonic with a survey. or the current $50 off $100 deal at Flemings where you get a $20 extra card for buying a $100 gift certificate making it $50 for $120. My pace is quickening as I type this!

  27. PhatMiles Member

    If there is an opportunity I do not mind being more pathetic, if that is what it is called. Hahaha
    I am a single guy and do not need loads of stuff. However, whenever I have time, I do all of these and donate stuff to a food donation camp, bethesda mission etc. I donate my staples free after rebate to my school district so that teachers can use the supplies. Makes me pathetic and super happy when I get to keep the extra points in my wallet.

  28. Leslie H (tripswithtykes) Guest

    I'm totally impressed! It is really fun to do this once in awhile when you find a good stackable deal. But just don't start stockpiling diapers in your basement when you don't have a baby, like some of the Extreme Couponing folks.

  29. David Young Guest

    “Anyone half as pathetic as I am?”

    Me me me. I save my miniature booze bottles from flights, refill them with Knob Creek, and then bring them on board and mix them with Diet Coke so I don't have to pay $7.00 for a drink. Beat THAT!

  30. Andrew Guest

    Or you could take the train for $2 each way.

  31. Sharon Jones Guest

    Pathetic? No! Smart? YES!!!

  32. Grace Guest

    I wish the CLT airport parking had some sort of frequent renter program, but we still have some of the cheapest parking for a major airport

  33. Lantean Diamond

    i think it's great to save money... but it's important to point out that the people on this show often buy loads of unhealthy, highly processed food. you almost never see them eat any fruits or veggies.

  34. AJ New Member

    "Anyone half as pathetic as I am?"

    The mom from honey boo boo? ;-)

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

More Parking Discounts, Not Just in Seattle - Hack My Trip Guest

[...] recently shared on One Mile at a Time how he works a similar deal using a coupon that can sometimes be found in Alaska’s in-flight [...]

0
bill kay Guest

Costco Carlsbad does NOT sell gift cards that give you half off.

0
Paul Guest

@lucky I sent an email to yr pointspros email address. thx lucky!

0
Meet Ben Schlappig, OMAAT Founder
5,163,247 Miles Traveled

32,614,600 Words Written

35,045 Posts Published

Keep Exploring OMAAT