Airport Airport meet and greet. A warning

[keith of kent]

Saw this on Pistonheads. Corncerns a MB GLA but it could happen to any car

Mercedes GLA alarm tampered with - Page 1 - Mercedes - PistonHeads UK

 

[markjay]

I would only ever use airport car parks where there's a shuttle from the car park to the terminal, or I'd take an Uber or a taxi if the car park is out of the airport compound.

The idea that my car will be driven away and parked in a field outside the airport never appealed to my, in spite of the apparent convenience of this arrangement.

 

[Darrell]

I would only ever use airport car parks where there's a shuttle from the car park to the terminal, or I'd take an Uber or a taxi if the car park is out of the airport compound.

The idea that my car will be driven away and parked in a field outside the airport never appealed to my, in spite of the apparent convenience of this arrangement.

We’re quite lucky where we live because we have good train connections to Gatwick and Luton with Stanstead and Heathrow both being around £75 in an UBER.

One of my black cab driver mates will always collect us for a freebie because my wife gives him so much business from the hotel she work at.

I think the last time we used our own car to drive and park at an airport was 2007 when 19 year old Sophia was 2!

 

[markjay]

We’re quite lucky where we live because we have good train connections to Gatwick and Luton with Stanstead and Heathrow both being around £75 in an UBER.

One of my black cab driver mates will always collect us for a freebie because my wife gives him so much business from the hotel she work at.

I think the last time we used our own car to drive and park at an airport was 2007 when 19 year old Sophia was 2!

I too, mostly use trains or minicab-type taxis to and from the airport these days. I find that when I'm on my own, parking in the long term car park then taking the shuttle is fine, but when accompanied by family members they are less keen on this arrangement.

 

[Darrell]

I too, mostly use trains or minicab-type taxis to and from the airport these days. I find that when I'm on my own, parking in the long term car park then taking the shuttle is fine, but when accompanied by family members they are less keen on this arrangement.

I rarely if at all fly on my own these days.

 

[markjay]

I rarely if at all fly on my own these days.

Same here...

 

[ToeKnee]

I rarely if at all fly on my own these days.

I try and take at least a pilot with me......

 

[AMGeed]

I wouldn't use Purple Parking at Luton either. Years ago I parked my old W210 where asked and on my return it was parked elsewhere with mud sprayed all up the side from passing cars. Never again.
To be fair, ownership has changed since I used them, but once bitten and all that.

 

[sgregory124]

It baffles me why anyone would use Meet and Greet at any airport to be honest. They offer it at BHX for an ever-so-slightly (~£20) lower price than the 3 closest official on-site car parks, which is I suppose answering my own question. That being said, car parks 1, 2 and 3 are all the same distance (about 50 metres) from departures and you get to keep your keys - can't beat the British for thinking they're getting a 'good deal' I suppose

 

[markjay]

It baffles me why anyone would use Meet and Greet at any airport to be honest. They offer it at BHX for an ever-so-slightly (~£20) lower price than the 3 closest official on-site car parks, which is I suppose answering my own question. That being said, car parks 1, 2 and 3 are all the same distance (about 50 metres) from departures and you get to keep your keys - can't beat the British for thinking they're getting a 'good deal' I suppose

If you're leaving the car for a longer period, say 3-4 weeks, then finding the cheapest solution seems to make sense. Some people live too far away from the airport, and so taking a taxi might turn out too expensive. Etc. In short, I can see why some people are tempted, but to my mind it's not worth it.

 

[sgregory124]

If you're leaving the car for a longer period, say 3-4 weeks, then finding the cheapest solution seems to make sense. Some people live too far away from the airport, and so taking a taxi might turn out too expensive. Etc. In short, I can see why some people are tempted, but to my mind it's not worth it.

True. The way we look at it is airport parking is just part of the overall cost of the holiday - not an add-on. That way the cost isn’t such a shock (although it’s nothing less than scurrilous at most airports).

 

[Headhurts]

I too fell foul of this but I cannot remember the company concerned, I left my car at a meet kiosk where they took the keys off me promising to park it safely.

On return I picked up the car and it was not until I got home that I found an empty pizza box and a crappy jumper had been left on the floor in the rear.

Robin

 

[TC350]

I've used a Meet-and-Greet service at Heathrow a couple of times without any issues, but with more and more stories appearing of scurrilous misuse by several companies, I no longer do so. It used to be a bit more expensive for this service than other parking methods, but with it now generally cheaper it stands to reason that care care is a low consideration.

Depending on the flight time, I've occasionally opted for a hotel + parking package where I leave the car in a hotel's car park then take a cab to the airport. The one I've used at Heathrow is good because you hang on to your keys, but the downside now is that you have to include Heathrow's drop-off fee. But it's certainly convenient. Gatwick airport is good for its onsite hotel where you can drop off the family and luggage then take your car to the long-term car park and get the shuttle bus back to the airport/hotel.

A couple of times when going away for about a week I've booked a space at the appropriate Heathrow short-term car park well ahead when it's a lot cheaper. Definitely the most convenient method, without any worries about having to leave keys with strangers. For longer trips away from Heathrow, I've gained confidence in Purple Parking on the Bath Road. I've never had a problem with them.

At around £150 each way for a taxi to Heathrow, I've not opted for that method. But when travelling alone I do take the trains - despite the misery of the Piccadilly line from and to King's Cross that seems to be busy no matter what time of day or night.

When my wife and daughter go away on their own, I drive them to and from Heathrow. It was more expensive than usual last Monday because I caught one of the wheels on a very tight curb when leaving T2 car park

 

[MSG2004]

use a cab or family to drop-off-pick up - we do that

 

[BoristheBounce]

Won't use meet and greet for exactly this reason.

We usually stay at a hotel near the airport that allows you to park your car and keep the keys with you.

Living where we do (up North) even if we have to travel to Manchester it worth saying over the night before.

Going to Grenada in January and we have to fly form Gatwick which is a pain, so again have booked accommodation with parking.

 

[GrahamT]

We now use a hire car service to and from the airport when going long haul. Driving home after a long overnight flight lost its appeal some time ago !