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On or Off AIRPORT PARKING?
a MAUVE DOOR MOTORING page |
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THE DILEMMA
To use ON or OFF airport car parking? They both have their advantages, disadvantages, car damage risks and cost repercussions.
Airport parking does need thinking about because ordinarily you would not hand over your car keys to a total stranger for him/her to drive it down the road for a few miles to park it in a muddy field while you are away AND you even pay for the privilege!!
ON AIRPORT PARKING
This is where you drive your car to a car park in the airport, lock it, and there it stays awaiting your return, meanwhile you catch a shuttle bus to and from the airport terminal.
Advantages. Nobody else drives your car whilst you are away. Your car remains in the same spot as you parked it, so it is less likely to pick up any scratches or dents
Variables. Standards of shuttle bus transfer to the terminal vary. For instance the NCP mid term car park at Luton, is near the terminal, the shuttle buses are frequent and seldom crowded. On the other hand the dreadful PInk Elephant long term at Stansted is some way from the terminal, the shuttle buses are infrequent and they pack their passengers in like sardines - very uncomfortable and hazardous.
Disadvantages. Usually more expensive.
Companies operating them often have the sole rights to ON Airport car parks, so can adopt a monopolistic take it or leave it attitude.
OFF AIRPORT PARKING
This is where you drive your car to an OFF Airport reception area and leave it together with your car keys.You catch their shuttle bus or minivan to the terminal.
Your car may then be driven a very short distance and parked in a very secure compound or it may be badly driven quite a way and parked in a farmer's muddy field.
Advantages. Usually cheaper than ON Airport parking.
Variables. Quality of service varies hugely.
Disadvantages. Lack of control. You can never know under what conditions your beloved car is stored or if it will be thrashed down country roads and across muddy fields by a hand brake turn loving, minimum wage, boy racer.
It has also not been unknown for radios to be left on - hence flat batteries, or even sun roofs left open leading to soaking wet interiors.
VALET OR MEET & GREET PARKING.
Has the luxury of avoiding the hassle of the dreaded shuttle bus transfer but at a cost. Otherwise similar advantages and disadvantages to OFF Airport, except even less control as you will not even see their reception area. Check them out very carefully as there has been some bad media reports of a few unscrupulous company's that have thrashed cars over the speed limits or who park them by the side of the road or even in supermarket car parks.
ANSWERING THE DILEMMA
For a two or three week holiday Airport Parking does not come cheap. However for the peace of mind, convenience and reduced damage risk that ON Airport offers it may be worth paying the additional premium. Our personal exception to this is Pink Elephant, Stansted because of the cattle truck shuttle transfer conditions we have frequently endured.
WHICH CAR PARK OPERATOR TO CHOSE?
This is important to get right because of the cowboys out there. One of the mantras of this site is before buying 'always do your research'. Luckily there is a superb web site to do it for you, not only does it give comprehensive details of all Airport Parking but it also supplies no nonsense feed back from customers that have used them. Go to http://www.airport-parking-quote.co.uk/poll/reviews/.html but first read our hot tips below.
HOT TIPS TO REDUCE THE STRESS
1/
Book in advance - you will usually get a worthwhile discount.
2/
ON Airport Parks are usually so huge that you can easily forget where you have left your car. Always therefore make a note on your parking ticket of all location detail - park ref, row, bus stop (at park and terminal) and bus number. Stow your ticket safely but handy to quickly retrieve on your return.
3/ OFF Airport. You will need to phone them on your return with a reference number so keep the information safe but handy.
4/ Never leave valuables in the your car. Also do not leave your name and address details anywhere in the car - it could be a dream ticket for a burglar.
5/ Check that your supplier's insurance cover is adequate.
6/
Wash your car before leaving for the airport. Take digital photos inside and out, with time and date showing to prove its condition, before dropping off your car. Do the same with the mileometer.
7/ On your return check your car very carefully for damage both inside and out. In winter you may need a torch handy. If there is damage, obtain and complete a claim form BEFORE you leave and get a supervisor to counter sign it. Obtain names and contact details of people within the company who deal with claims. If you try to make a claim after you have left you will probably not have a leg to stand on.
8/ Before leaving your car make sure all battery draining (eg radio) devices are switched off. If your battery is dodgy change it before you go. Similarly with your remote control key fob for opening the door. Airport car parks are not nice places to hang around waiting for an AA man - especially when you are jet lagged!
9/ ON Airport. To avoid scratches or dents do not park at the end of a row or near a walkway for luggage trolleys.
10/
Take a spare key with you, it is not unheard of for OFF Airport car parks to lose them.
11/ Allow plenty of time. Sometimes it takes an age to book in the car and for the bus shuttle transfer - especially at peak times. Traffic grid lock conditions around airports are not unknown!
THE BEST & CHEAPEST SOLUTION. Get a friend or relation to drop you off and pick you up! Or if you do not live too far away from the airport book a taxi.
HAVE A GOOD TRIP
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