Qantas Valet Parking

Some of the best car trips I have ever taken have been in the back of a taxi on the way to or from an airport. In Arizona, my Iraqi taxi driver told me that he spoke 5 languages, played soccer for the national team, and that the most beautiful women in the world were in Tempe, AZ. He also suggested that I wear a shirt with something Australian on it (as though I was carrying something of this nature) so that all the ladies would know that I was «different». I didn’t have the chance to test this advice, but the dream remains. And then there was the time in Houston that the towncar driver and I mistook each other as passenger/​driver and then realised, in the midst of a discussion about the socioeconomic realities of that city, that someone else was waiting for their slick Cadillac. Neither of us said anything, but we both knew and it was an awkward five final minutes to the airport.
All of which to say is that there are times in life when a taxi ride is fine, if not essential, and then there are other times where you just want to valet that sucker. Qantas offers a valet service at each of the Sydney terminals and the adjoining offices allow you to check-​in and beat the queue. Naturally, there is expense involved: the first calendar day is roughly $ 70 and subsequent days are $ 50 each. If you’re so inclined, you can have your car cleaned and it will be waiting for you upon your triumphant return.
This option isn’t for everyone, but if you’re on business and sick of jockeying for pole position at the taxi rank, it’ll do the trick.