Airport valet parking - would you?

[Technophobe]

The only time I have used valet parking (sort of) was at Southampton for a cruise. No problems with the car at all, but not that useful a service - they take your car & keys at the cruise terminal doors then park the vehicle all of 300 yards away in a compound at the quayside. On return, they don't collect you - you have to take all your luggage by trolley to the car at the compound where you collect your keys - and it then takes FOREVER to get out of the exit!!!

We normally use Manchester airport for flights and I leave the car at Jetparks. Their shuttle buses are very frequent and I have never had a problem with the car being parked there. 2 weeks parking is under £50 in a monitored secure compound which I reckon is a good deal.

 

[Ted]

Probably not a good idea to use ‘Best Meet and Greet’ or one of the other names they trade by.

Gatwick Airport parking scammer admits misleading people Gatwick Airport parking scammer guilty

 

[Stratman]

Manchester crackdown on meet and greet

Holidaymakers' cars left on residential streets near Manchester Airport could be towed away in a parking crackdown.

Manchester City Council said it has set up a dedicated enforcement team to deal with issues caused by "rogue" meet-and-greet companies leaving cars in Wythenshawe.

It has asked residents to report any issues and said it will use its enforcement powers when necessary.

Some cars parked on residential streets for long periods have been vandalised.

The council said there are firms operating which promise secure parking for airport passengers but vehicles are being left on the streets on Woodhouse Park, blocking junctions, driveways and paths.

It said one company has been prosecuted by the council's Trading Standards team and is set to be sentenced next month.

The council said residents should call the parking services department if vehicles are parked on double yellow lines or blocking road crossings, driveways or bus stops.

It said with confirmed parking violations, it has powers to take enforcement action which could include towing the vehicle away.

more...

 

[alabbasi]

I worked for NCP back in the early 90's. They had a valet service back then that they offered that would allow you to park in short stay, they would pick up the car and send it to long term and bring it back just before you return. I heard a lot of stories about how they treated customers cars where i would never consider using this service.

 

[SW18]

Just shows that you get what you pay for, avoid the dodgy companies and the better ones should be fine.

Another option I have used is a leisurely train journey to the airport the day before and then a night in the airport hotel. Most have a reasonable hotel for £100 or so, which compares well to driving and longstay parking.

 

[Deleted member 131833]

What about park and ride? We travel from Dundee to park and ride at Halbeath, near Dunfermline, you park car, 20 minute service for bus to airport, geriatric ‘ol me gets travel on bus pass to airport, job done.free parking and travel to airport.

But do all main airports not have a park and ride?

 

[PenelopePitstop]

We normally use Manchester airport for flights and I leave the car at Jetparks. Their shuttle buses are very frequent and I have never had a problem with the car being parked there. 2 weeks parking is under £50 in a monitored secure compound which I reckon is a good deal.

I recently checked cost of parking at Manchester and for 3.5 weeks it was quite expensive. My husband wants me to drive there, I prefer to drive to Heathrow and fly to MAN.

Just shows that you get what you pay for, avoid the dodgy companies and the better ones should be fine.

Another option I have used is a leisurely train journey to the airport the day before and then a night in the airport hotel. Most have a reasonable hotel for £100 or so, which compares well to driving and longstay parking.

That can work if you fly from time to time, mostly on holiday. If you fly often, for weekends or have tight schedule, taking a train and sleeping at airport hotel takes too much time. I book hotel + parking occasionally, when flight is very early or it's cheaper than parking only. I live only 30-40 minutes by car to Heathrow, but taking public transport would take 2h. I'm taking train to Gatwick tomorrow, since parking there is more expensive than at Heathrow.