Direct Providers vs. Platforms – Why Booking Directly is Better

When looking for parking at Munich Airport, you often face a choice: book directly with the parking provider or through a booking platform like Holiday Extras, Parkos, or similar aggregators? In this guide, we show you why booking directly is almost always the better choice – for your wallet and your peace of mind.

What's the Difference?

Direct Providers

A direct provider like Parkmeister operates their own parking facilities and handles the entire service themselves. You book directly with the company that receives your car, parks it, and returns it when you come back.

• Own parking facilities and infrastructure
• Direct customer contact without intermediaries
• Full control over service and quality
• Transparent pricing

Booking Platforms

Platforms like Holiday Extras, Parkos, or other aggregators are intermediaries. They compile offers from various parking providers and collect a commission on each booking – which you end up paying.

• No own parking facilities
• Only forward you to the actual provider
• Charge 5-15% booking fee
• Often not responsible when problems occur

The Advantages of Direct Providers

Better Customer Service

With a direct provider, you have one contact for everything. No being passed back and forth between platform and parking operator.

• Direct contact: For questions or problems, you immediately reach the team that looks after your car
• Fast response times: No forwarding, no waiting for replies from third parties
• Personal solutions: Individual help instead of standard answers from a call center

Transparent Prices Without Commissions

What you see is what you pay. No hidden fees, no unpleasant surprises.

• No booking fees: The full amount goes to the service – not to a middleman
• Best price guarantee: Many direct providers guarantee the lowest price
• Clear cost breakdown: You know exactly what you're paying for

More Flexibility with Changes

Flight times change, trips get postponed – with a direct provider, that's no problem.

• Free rebooking: We flexibly adjust your booking for flight changes
• Direct communication: Special requests? One call is enough
• Goodwill for delays: Your flight is delayed? We wait for you

Clear Responsibilities

When problems arise, you know exactly who to contact – and that contact is actually responsible.

• One contact: No blame-shifting between platform and provider
• Direct insurance coverage: Clear liability relationships
• Fast problem resolution: Because we are directly responsible

The Disadvantages of Booking Platforms

Booking platforms advertise comparison options – but the disadvantages often outweigh:

• Commission increases price: 15-35% markup for the intermediation
• "Caught in the middle" with problems: Platform refers to provider, provider doesn't have booking data
• Complicated communication: First contact platform, then wait, then continue
• Outdated information possible: Prices and availability not always current
• Limited rebooking options: "Not possible because system..."
• Standardized processes: No individual solutions possible

Typical Problems with Platform Bookings

Customers experience these situations repeatedly when booking through platforms:

Problem 1: Flight Delay

Your flight has a 3-hour delay. You call the platform. Answer: "Please contact the parking provider directly." You call the provider. Answer: "We don't have your booking data, it's with the platform."

With direct provider: One call, problem solved. We have all the data and take care of it.

Problem 2: Complaint

You have a complaint. The platform forwards it, the provider responds to the platform, the platform responds to you – after days or weeks.

With direct provider: Direct feedback, immediate clarification, personal contact.

Problem 3: Rebooking

Your trip shifts by one day. The platform: "Rebooking is not possible in our system." You have to cancel (fees!) and book again.

With direct provider: Short message, new date entered, done.

When Platforms Can Make Sense

To be fair: platforms also have their place – in certain situations:

• Market overview: When you're parking at an unfamiliar airport and don't know the providers
• Initial comparison: To get an overview of prices and options

Our tip: Feel free to use platforms for comparison – but then book directly with the provider! You save the commission and get better service.

Parkmeister – Your Direct Provider at Munich Airport

As a direct provider at Munich Airport, we offer you all the advantages of direct booking:

• Own parking: We operate our parking facilities ourselves
• Own team: Experienced staff on site
• Direct customer service: Reachable by phone, WhatsApp or email
• Flexible rebooking: Free for flight changes
• Fair cancellation: Transparent conditions without surprises
• Best price: Without broker fees at the best price

Conclusion: Direct Booking Pays Off

The advantages of booking directly with the parking provider are clear:

• Cheaper: 10-25% savings through eliminated commissions
• Better service: One contact for everything
• More flexibility: Easy rebooking and individual solutions
• Clear responsibility: No blame-shifting when problems arise

Our recommendation: Always book your parking at Munich Airport directly with the provider. You save money and have better service on your side when needed.

More information about parking at Munich Airport can be found in our comprehensive parking guide and in the parking comparison.