Have you ever been driving a rental car toward an airport to catch a flight, only to realize you didn't know where you could fill the tank before returning the car? Or driven away from an airport but realized you needed to pick up a few items before starting your trip? If so, you might like to know about Airport Plazas, a new chain of off-airport facilities designed to serve airport employees.

But travelers can take advantage of them too. Facilities, open 24/7, typically include:

  • Gas, diesel, and alternative fuel service, including compressed natural gas and—soon—high-capacity electric-car battery recharging;
  • Other automotive services: tire air, car wash, lube, and minor repair;
  • Convenience store and food court;
  • Dry cleaning drop off and pick up;
  • Public restrooms;
  • Free Wi-Fi; and
  • Flight information screens.

Airport Plazas currently operates a plaza at Newark and opens another at New York/JFK in April. The company is building plazas at Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Ft. Myers, Indianapolis, Portland, Washington/Dulles, and West Palm Beach. Active negotiations or proposals are in the works for Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Memphis, Orlando, San Francisco, and Washington/Reagan National.

You Might Also Like:

This article was originally published by SmarterTravel under the title This Secret Airport Perk Could Save Your Trip.

Follow Ed Perkins on Google+ or email him at editor@smartertravel.com.

All products and services mentioned on Airfarewatchdog are independently selected by our team of expert travelers. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

More Stories You'll Love