park car at MEL for someone else to collect?

[Timtammi]

Does anyone have any suggestions for the best way to go about this?
My father is moving back to Australia after living in the UK for many years. He has asked me to research longer term (a couple of months) car rental while he sorts out buying a car. As I'm overseas when he arrives I thought maybe I could leave my car somewhere at Mel airport for him and he could use it until he picks up/arranges a long term rental and I return from OS a week after he arrives.
The problem is keys. I'm thinking some kind of valet parking might be the go but as I leave several weeks before he arrives it might be too exxy? No problems on the return, I'm travelling with Mr Timtammi and we woukd just take 2 cars to the airport under the above scenario.
Any suggestions?
Also any suggestions how to arrange a longer term car rental, anyone done this? He only needs a small car and wont want to spend too much but might need it for a couple of months.
Thanks for your help!

 

[opusman]

How long between when you leave Australia and he leaves the UK? You could always courier him the car key and parking ticket.

 

[Timtammi]

I leave Mel on the 12th September he leaves the UK on the 25th I think but not arriving until October 1. I guess that could work but would worry about the keys going astray.

 

[k_sheep]

I've done this before and blu-tacked the key on the car somewhere that isn't obvious. A bit risky for some I guess but I have pretty coughpy cars

 

[Timtammi]

Thanks for the suggestion k_sheep. I'm a bit too risk averse for that and I'm pretty sure that insurance wouldn't cover it if was stolen using the key. It did cross my mind though but my car is the nicest one I gave ever had so wouldn't want to risk it.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Any of the off airport parking entities will readily accommodate you with this - just google MEL airport parking and use one of them close by - they drop you off / collect you on arr.

There was a guy posting here who ran one of these ops - I am sure he is reading this thread - hopefully he will chime in.

 

[eastwest101]

Maybe one of the off-site commercial car parking services such as Alpha Parking where you park your car then they drop you off at MEL airport in a courtesy bus and then the reverse fro when your father flies into MEL. As long as you warn them someone else will be picking up the car, it would be secure and cheaper (maybe $70-$90 for 12 to 13 days whether open air or undercover) than car rental and you wouldn't have to worry about keys going astray etc? Could be a suitable solution for you as its essentially a longer term less costly version of valet parking.

 

[Timtammi]

Thanks for the offsite recommendations. I didn't realise they kept your keys so that could work.
Anyone had any experience with renting a car in MEL for several months?

 

[Andyc]

One suggestion could be the concierge desk at the airport hotel. Assuming you can find a cheap booking, just book a room for when your father arrives and leave a package for him to collect upon arrival. Doesn't actually matter if he stays the night.
Failing that, it may even work just offering cash to someone at the hotel (front desk manager etc.)

 

[Deleted member]

Air bag a spare key to him, or park off site with key to be collected.

 

[Imw]

I suggest using Jetport 9999 2626 (europcar amalgamated with them) garden drive Tullamarine. Good comparable rates, park you car with them and arrange your dad picking up, he will just jump on the shuttle and pick up car. Safer all round. We use the service too if picking people up at airport and we have to wait around. Leave our car for $14, bus then brings our visitors and luggage back from airport to base. Much cheaper than airport! They flexible too if plane late etc

 

[serfty]

If you are in the RACV, then some discounts can be had ...

https://parking.racv.com.au/racvparking/default.aspx

 

[andye]

Understand about leaving the key with the car but this could be relatively secure

Surf Lock - Car Key Security Padlock

 

[Timtammi]

Doh!! Andyc you are a genius! I think he might be planning to stay the night at the airport hotel anyway as he has a fairly late arrival and doesn't like to drive after a long Flight! Why didn't I think of that.. I can just drop the key there when I leave to go OS and ask them to hold it for him.

 

[Timtammi]

Just need to get message to him where to find out LOL..