Denver International Airport Offers Tips for Thanksgiving Travelers, Guaranteed Economy Parking Rates

DENVER – Nov. 17, 2016 – As the Thanksgiving travel season approaches, Denver International Airport (DEN) is offering a new guarantee for one of its most popular parking options and a series of travel tips to help create an unforgettable travel experience.

The airport is working to make the busy travel season as smooth as possible for travelers, from parking to the gate. Toward that end, DEN is guaranteeing travelers who park in the airport’s popular economy lots – located on the east and west sides of the Jeppesen Terminal – from Nov. 21-24 are guaranteed a spot for $13 per day. This means that anyone who pulls a parking ticket for the economy lot between Nov. 21-24 can be confident they will secure a convenient parking space at a competitive rate, even during peak travel days, for the duration of their visit.

The airport also will launch a number of passenger entertainment options to celebrate the season, starting with a free ice skating rink located on the open-air plaza near the Westin Denver International Airport. The ice rink will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from Nov. 25 to Jan. 1 and will include free ice skate rentals, music and carolers.

“This year has already set new records for passenger traffic at Denver International Airport, and we are projecting another busy holiday travel season that could top 1.1 million passengers during Thanksgiving week,” airport CEO Kim Day said. “We are grateful to be part of connecting so many families and friends around the world, and we encourage travelers this holiday season to plan ahead and allow some extra time to relax and take advantage of the airport’s services and amenities before their flight.”

This year, preliminary passenger forecasts show an estimated 1.1 million passengers will pass through DEN from Nov. 22-28 – a 10-percent increase compared to the same time last year. Sunday, Nov. 27 is likely to be the busiest travel day of the week.

Additionally, the airport is planning to provide additional staffing at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints this holiday travel season for non-security tasks, such as moving bins, managing lines and passenger divesting. The airport will provide contracted security staff who will provide assistance during the peak travel times throughout the day. This assistance will take place from Nov. 17-29. TSA will provide training and oversight for these workers, who have all passed an airport background check.

Other DEN services to watch for this holiday season include:

• The Westin Denver International Airport hotel – reservations are available online.
• The Canine Airport Therapy Squad, or CATS, in which certified therapy dogs roam the concourses for travelers to pet, hug and relax with before takeoff.
• More than 140 shops and restaurants to choose from, including great Colorado flavors like Root Down, Modern Market and Elway’s, along with newly added international brands such as Chick-fil-A.
• Wayfinding touch screens are positioned throughout the concourses. These digital directories provide flight and gate information, directions to nearby shops and restaurants and other helpful information.

Additionally, DEN is offering a variety of travel tips for passengers traveling during the holiday season:

Packing

• Travelers may bring one carry-on bag and one personal item (purse, laptop, etc.) through security. Put medications and other required items in your carry-on bag.
• The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) restrictions on taking liquids and gels through security remain in place. For more information on security screening and smart packing tips, visit www.TSA.gov.
• Leave holiday gifts unwrapped; TSA may open wrapped packages to check the contents.
• Know your airline’s checked bag policies and fees in advance.

Before You Leave for the Airport

• Please plan accordingly and allow for extra time at the airport. A good rule of thumb is to be inside the airport two hours prior to your flight departure time. This should allow for plenty of time to navigate flight check-in, security lines and travel to your gate.
• Before you leave the house, check with your airline to confirm that your flight is on time and check-in online if possible.
• Check parking availability at www.flydenver.com.

Parking

• For real-time parking information while you’re on the road, watch for electronic signs along inbound Peña Boulevard or call 303-DIA-PARK.
• The East and West garages are available for $3/hour or a $24/day maximum. Lower daily rates are offered at the Pikes Peak and Mt. Elbert shuttle lots for $8/day.
• The East and West Economy Lots, located next to the Jeppesen Terminal garages, are available for $13/day. From Nov. 21-24, drivers who enter these lots are guaranteed a close parking space at the economy daily rate.
• For a guaranteed space, reserved parking is available in either garage for an additional fee of $4 per day, by visiting www.DIAReservedParking.com.
• Short-term parking is available in the East and West garages for $4/hour. This area is intended for passenger pick-up and drop-off.
• We offer free vehicle services for our customers including jump starts, tire inflation, and car key retrieval if they’ve been locked in your vehicle. For any of these services, call (303) 342-4645, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Checking-in

• If you didn’t check in online before leaving home, save time with self-service check-in kiosks near airline counters.
• Even if you checked in online or at a kiosk, passengers checking bags still need to go to a ticket counter to hand off luggage to the airline.
• Many airlines now offer smartphone apps for mobile check-in and flight information.

Picking up

• Check with your friend or family member’s airline, or visit www.flydenver.com, to confirm that the flight is on time before leaving for the airport.
• Curbside parking at Jeppesen Terminal is prohibited. Avoid the congestion on the passenger arrival level by parking in the East and West Terminal Garages for just $3/hour. With nearly 15,000 combined parking spaces, the garages provide convenient access to the terminal and are generally open during the holiday travel season.
• The Final Approach cell phone waiting lot is located at 7684 N. Wenatchee St, approximately three miles west of the Jeppesen Terminal along Peña Boulevard. It can be easily accessed via eastbound Peña Boulevard to 75th avenue and northbound Gun Club Road; westbound Peña Boulevard to Wenatchee Street; or from East 78th Avenue. Signs are posted along all access routes. This facility includes dining options and free Wi-Fi.
• Parking or stopping along any airport roadway is illegal and dangerous and violators are subject to ticketing.

Traveling with children or persons 75-years-old or older

• Traveling with children? Check out http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/traveling-children.
• If you are 75-years-old or older, you may leave on shoes and light jackets through security checkpoints. http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/screening-passengers-75-and-older

Technology tools

• Get flight status information, road conditions, parking lot availability, security wait times, airport maps, ground transportation and more at www.flydenver.com.
• Follow us on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook for frequent airport updates.
• DEN offers free Wi-Fi Internet access, phone charging stations and free global calling throughout the airport.

Simply ask for help

• DEN’s volunteer Ambassadors – easy to spot in their custom Spyder blue vests – and Customer Service staff are available throughout the terminal and concourses to provide directions and information.
• Passengers without Internet access can use these helpful airport telephone numbers:
  303-DIA-PARK (342-7275) – Select “option one” for information on parking availability in DEN lots
  303-342-4059 – Information on DEN ground transportation
  TEXT 720-370-9002 – General airport questions
  303-342-2000 – DEN Customer Services
  1-800-AIR-2-DEN – DEN Customer Services for out-of-town travelers

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

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