The controversial new drop-off fee at Leeds Airport has stirred up more controversy after the airport broke planning rules when it installed new signage to alert passengers to the new charges, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.
Passengers now have to pay £2 for the privilege of dropping-off or picking-up passengers in the airport’s Drop Off & Pick Up Car Park and bosses, keen to tell passengers of the £2 fee, failed to apply for planning permission before erecting the signs on White House Lane.
According to the paper, the notices also breach guidelines on style, content and letter size.
A council spokesman told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “The new signs on White House Lane alerting passengers to the new pick-up and drop-off arrangements at the airport do not meet national road sign guidelines.
“We have spoken with the airport and will ensure they resolve the matter as quickly as possible.”
27 June 2011
23 June 2011
How to spot a reputable meet and greet parking company
We’re heading into the summer holiday season when airport passenger numbers will rocket as the world, his wife, and their children head off for sunnier destinations.
Airports will be heaving with passengers, roads will be filled with traffic and airport car parks will be bursting at the seams with parked cars.
During the school holidays the demand for flights rises significantly and with increased demand for flights comes demand for other holiday services: foreign currency exchange, hotel rooms and, of course, meet and greet airport parking.
There are many long-established, reputable airport parking companies for the traveller to choose from, however, in the run up to the busy holiday period, a number of smaller parking companies will appear in the hope to glean a slice of the airport parking companies’ business. While some of these will be honest, and hardworking looking for a well-deserved break into the business, others will just be there to make a quick buck and move on to the next business as soon as summer is over.
It can be difficult for the customer to distinguish the good guys from the bad, after all, they only book parking once a year, so don’t always know how to spot the cowboys.
There’s lots of competition in the valet parking business with some companies gearing their prices so that they work on a numbers basis rather than a service basis. Anyone looking to book valet parking should always be aware that the cheapest is not always the best and likewise, the most expensive may not be either, so how do you spot a reputable meet and greet parking company?
The following tips should help:
Telephone number
Always look for a company with a landline number, not just a mobile phone. The company should have a mobile number for contact but they should also have a landline which should be answered with the name of the company, not just ‘hello’.
Car park
Ideally, the company should hold the ParkMark Safer Parking award which demonstrates that the car park has met strict security guidelines to reduce crime.
Many companies just setting up to take advantage of the high demand during the holiday season don’t have official car parks and often rely on parking cars in fields, outside homes, supermarkets, industrial estates and side roads.
Identification
You need to be able to recognize your driver to ensure you are handing your car over to the correct person. Ideally your driver should be wearing a uniform and carrying official ID. Check the company’s website before you book.
Payment
Payment should be made via a secure website, not by cash on the day.
Terms and Conditions
Always read the company’s terms and conditions before booking. Check that your car is covered by the company’s insurance while being driven by their drivers.
Alarm Bells:
Alarm bells should be ringing if the only method of contact is via mobile phone, you have no physical address for the company and they require cash on the day.
The above is only a small selection of ways in which to identify a reputable valet parking company. You can always check online reviews, however, beware of reviews by people who have only just joined the forum and have only posted one review.
If you are in any doubt about the reliability of the company, walk away and look for another company.
Airports will be heaving with passengers, roads will be filled with traffic and airport car parks will be bursting at the seams with parked cars.
During the school holidays the demand for flights rises significantly and with increased demand for flights comes demand for other holiday services: foreign currency exchange, hotel rooms and, of course, meet and greet airport parking.
There are many long-established, reputable airport parking companies for the traveller to choose from, however, in the run up to the busy holiday period, a number of smaller parking companies will appear in the hope to glean a slice of the airport parking companies’ business. While some of these will be honest, and hardworking looking for a well-deserved break into the business, others will just be there to make a quick buck and move on to the next business as soon as summer is over.
It can be difficult for the customer to distinguish the good guys from the bad, after all, they only book parking once a year, so don’t always know how to spot the cowboys.
There’s lots of competition in the valet parking business with some companies gearing their prices so that they work on a numbers basis rather than a service basis. Anyone looking to book valet parking should always be aware that the cheapest is not always the best and likewise, the most expensive may not be either, so how do you spot a reputable meet and greet parking company?
The following tips should help:
Telephone number
Always look for a company with a landline number, not just a mobile phone. The company should have a mobile number for contact but they should also have a landline which should be answered with the name of the company, not just ‘hello’.
Car park
Ideally, the company should hold the ParkMark Safer Parking award which demonstrates that the car park has met strict security guidelines to reduce crime.
Many companies just setting up to take advantage of the high demand during the holiday season don’t have official car parks and often rely on parking cars in fields, outside homes, supermarkets, industrial estates and side roads.
Identification
You need to be able to recognize your driver to ensure you are handing your car over to the correct person. Ideally your driver should be wearing a uniform and carrying official ID. Check the company’s website before you book.
Payment
Payment should be made via a secure website, not by cash on the day.
Terms and Conditions
Always read the company’s terms and conditions before booking. Check that your car is covered by the company’s insurance while being driven by their drivers.
Alarm Bells:
Alarm bells should be ringing if the only method of contact is via mobile phone, you have no physical address for the company and they require cash on the day.
The above is only a small selection of ways in which to identify a reputable valet parking company. You can always check online reviews, however, beware of reviews by people who have only just joined the forum and have only posted one review.
If you are in any doubt about the reliability of the company, walk away and look for another company.
21 June 2011
BOGOF offer on Dublin Airport Parking
We're all familiar with the BOGOF offers at supermarkets - buy one get one free offers. Now Dublin Airport has extended the BOGOF idea to airport parking.
Passengers flying out of Dublin and wishing park for two weeks can now book two weeks parking and get the second week free.
The offer applies to Dublin Airport’s Long Term Red Car Park.
Passengers flying out of Dublin and wishing park for two weeks can now book two weeks parking and get the second week free.
The offer applies to Dublin Airport’s Long Term Red Car Park.
20 June 2011
Official valet parking - is your car covered?
There was an interesting story in the Guardian this weekend about BAA’s official valet parking at Stansted Airport.
Although the complaint received by the paper happened in September last year, the story is still relevant today and highlights the need for anyone using any type of parking, particularly meet and greet parking, to read the small print and identify what a parking company is and isn’t responsible for should your car be damaged while you are on holiday.
The Guardian’s article contains a letter from a customer who booked BAA’s valet parking at Stansted and on his return from holiday found his car had ‘significant scratching at the driver’s side bumper’. The damage was pointed out to the company, forms filled in and photos of the damage taken, however, he later received a letter saying that, as per the terms and conditions, BAA was not responsible for the damage – BAA’s T&Cs stated that it is not liable for damaged caused to cars once they are parked.
It would be difficult to prove when the car was damaged – before parking, during parking, while parked or during the return journey to the customer.
When booking airport parking don’t assume that your car is safe, and that the parking company will take responsibility for any damage. Always read the terms and conditions and, as the Guardian article’s response to the customer points out:
“your letter is a timely reminder to other readers that their cars are not automatically safe just because they are parked at an official airport car park.”
To view the Guardian's article: "BAA's airport parking not up to scratch" click on the link.
Although the complaint received by the paper happened in September last year, the story is still relevant today and highlights the need for anyone using any type of parking, particularly meet and greet parking, to read the small print and identify what a parking company is and isn’t responsible for should your car be damaged while you are on holiday.
The Guardian’s article contains a letter from a customer who booked BAA’s valet parking at Stansted and on his return from holiday found his car had ‘significant scratching at the driver’s side bumper’. The damage was pointed out to the company, forms filled in and photos of the damage taken, however, he later received a letter saying that, as per the terms and conditions, BAA was not responsible for the damage – BAA’s T&Cs stated that it is not liable for damaged caused to cars once they are parked.
It would be difficult to prove when the car was damaged – before parking, during parking, while parked or during the return journey to the customer.
When booking airport parking don’t assume that your car is safe, and that the parking company will take responsibility for any damage. Always read the terms and conditions and, as the Guardian article’s response to the customer points out:
“your letter is a timely reminder to other readers that their cars are not automatically safe just because they are parked at an official airport car park.”
To view the Guardian's article: "BAA's airport parking not up to scratch" click on the link.
15 June 2011
Free Prestwick airport parking
If you’re looking for an unbeatable deal on Prestwick Airport parking get yourself over to Prestwick Airport where Barrhead Travel has recently opened a new branch.
To celebrate the opening, the travel agency is offering free Prestwick airport parking to customers who book a holiday.
Barrhead Travel is the largest independent travel agency in Scotland.
To celebrate the opening, the travel agency is offering free Prestwick airport parking to customers who book a holiday.
Barrhead Travel is the largest independent travel agency in Scotland.
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