Latest news with #airportparking
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Frequent flyer claims he was misled by Bristol Airport parking 'scam'
A frequent flyer at Bristol Airport said reward code users seeking a discount on parking were being "deliberately misled".Hamish Douglas, from Clevedon in North Somerset, spotted an issue with the airport's Silver Zone rewards scheme while booking parking for five days on 20 his discount code, Mr Douglas was quoted £95.20 for five days of flexible parking. A non-flexible booking with no discount was £60, but he was not shown this cheaper option when attempting to book with a code.A spokesperson for Bristol Airport apologised for the inconvenience and said the error had been fixed as of Thursday. The public can sign up for the free Silver Zone rewards scheme through the airport's Douglas became a member a year ago, as he flew with his wife to see family in Northern Ireland approximately once a said: "It's a 15% discount on airport parking - you're not going to say no."Since that point a year ago, I have booked Silver Zone parking - which I've done about three times - putting in the rewards code and it would take you through to the next stage [of the booking]."Mr Douglas said he forgot to use the code for his most recent trip and his wife found a non-flexible booking without a code was £35.20 said: "What we found out is, when you put in the reward code, it doesn't show you the more affordable, cheaper option."Mr Douglas added: "I've always said parking at Bristol Airport is a scam, and it turns out it is." A spokesperson for the airport said: "The issue on our website has now been fixed and the Rewards promotional code can be applied to this product. "We would like to thank the customer for highlighting this issue and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused."We offer a range of car parking options, which customers can unlock discounts for, as well as Fast Track security, by signing up on our website for Rewards emails. "In addition they will also receive the latest offers from airlines." 'Rules are clear' When asked how long the issue has been going on for and whether those affected by the error will receive compensation, an airport spokesman said: "The 'Silver Zone Non-Flex' pricing category is a new product for our customers. "As explained, this product and lower pricing category does come with some restrictions when it comes to cancelling or amending a booking."We do offer regular promotional offers throughout the year. Any customers experiencing problems applying promotional codes should contact us directly."A spokesperson for the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the "advertising rules are clear".They said: "Ads must not materially mislead people, or be likely to do so. In particular, price statements shouldn't mislead by omission, undue emphasis or distortion."Whilst the ASA can't comment on whether or not an ad has broken the rules without a formal investigation, we always encourage anyone who has a concern about an ad they've seen to get in touch."
The Guardian
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
UK airport parking: how to drive down the cost on your summer holiday
How much airport parking will cost you depends on several factors – when you book; how close to the airport you want to be; how you book; how long your vehicle will stay in the car park; and which airport you are flying from. Prices vary widely between different airports. According to figures from the comparison website the average cost for four days in a short-stay car park in England will come in at £110, whereas in Scotland it is £58 and in Wales £88. The car retailer Motorpoint surveyed 25 UK airports for a week's stay at the beginning of August and found London City the most expensive (£149.50 being the best price) and Teesside the cheapest (£50). It is best to book as far in advance as possible as prices go up the closer you get to departure and the most expensive option is to simply turn up and park. Ben Custard of Motorpoint advises booking once you have paid for your holiday. 'Space is limited and prices tend to increase as your holiday approaches. You might be able to park for under £10 a day – even in peak season, at some airports,' he says. 'They tend to charge considerably more without a reservation, meaning you could find yourself paying double the price advertised online.' Big airports have multiple car parks – Heathrow has 11 official ones – and prices can differ between each, often depending on how close they are to the terminal, or whether staff park your car for you. For example, at Stansted for a week in August, it currently costs £138 to drop the car with the 'meet and greet' at the terminal, while at the short-stay, a five-minute walk away, it costs £113. Parking in the long-stay section comes in at £98. Booking through comparison sites can often save you money and MoneySavingExpert offers discount codes. For that same week at Stansted, booking through the Holiday Extras site costs £111 for 'meet and greet', £96 at the short-stay and £83 at the long-stay. It is worth looking at other comparison sites such as FHR, SkyParkSecure and Airport Parking and Hotels to see what the best price is. Travel plans can change, so it is worth understanding whether you will be able to cancel your booking. Some providers allow this right up to the time when you are due to arrive. Official parking at Heathrow lets you cancel two hours before without being charged, while Stansted has a 72-hour deadline when you book directly. Comparison sites can include free cancellation with bookings, or you may have to pay extra on top of a booking to get it. Some airports have a grace period if your flight is delayed arriving back and you pick up your car a few hours later than expected. But it is vital to check as, even within individual airports, different rules can apply to different car parks. If you are going to park at the long- or medium-stay car parks, factor in the time that it will take to get to the terminal. While buses may be advertised as every 10 or 15 minutes, other people may be lining up when you get to the stop, so you may miss out on the first one. At London Gatwick, the long-stay car park is 10 minutes from the terminal and buses arrive every 10 minutes. At Stansted, they are every 15 minutes. Off-site parking is where you can leave your vehicle at a car park outside the airport complex. These are typically run by third-party companies and operate in a similar way, with passengers ferried to the terminal by frequent buses. They are often cheaper than official airport car parks and a survey by the consumer group Which? last year showed many drivers thought they provided a better service. The best-rated were Sentinel at Leeds Bradford airport and APH at Gatwick and Manchester. It is important to do some research before signing up to a third party company, however. Which? found that some private 'meet and greet' providers – which collect the car from the terminal and then park it themselves off-site – were responsible for petty theft and speeding in the vehicles. Alternatively, you can avoid car parks altogether and put your vehicle in a private space in front of someone's home, or on their land. A number of websites, such as Justpark and Parklet, advertise available spots around airports. In the case of Stansted, car parking for a week in August currently costs between £49 and £97 in the immediate vicinity of the airport on Justpark. But you will have to consider whether you need to get a taxi from the spot you park in. Security will typically not be as good as in a fenced-off car park. Do you need to park at all? Trains, and even taxis, can often work out cheaper than parking the car for your week or two in the sun – although it is worth doing the sums to make sure. Heathrow is on the Piccadilly and Elizabeth lines while Luton airport is on Thameslink and East Midlands Railway services. Gatwick is connected via Southern, Thameslink and Great Western Railway. TransPennine Express and Northern Rail run trains to and from Manchester airport to Manchester Piccadilly station. There are also a number of direct services to airports, and prices vary depending on when you book and what type of ticket you need. Stansted Express goes from London Liverpool Street (£29 return in advance); Heathrow Express goes to London Paddington (£37 return in advance) and Gatwick Express to Victoria (£42.70). If you are travelling as a family with children, the cost of a car park may be a similar, or a less expensive option, once you take into account the cost of getting to the station where the airport train goes from. Local private taxi companies often offer fixed prices to airports. Coaches, meanwhile, may be one of the cheapest options but can also take longer than getting a train. Possibly the cheapest way to get to and from the airport is to rely on the goodwill of others. But getting a lift is not always free because of the high cost of drop-off fees introduced at many airports. At Southend airport, it costs £7 for just five minutes to pick up and drop off. Go over that time and it will cost £15 (for up to 30 minutes). Research by Select Car Leasing shows that Leeds Bradford International, Gatwick and Bristol airports charge £7 for a drop-off of up to 10 minutes. However, London City, Exeter International, Inverness, Birmingham International and Newquay Cornwall allow free drop-offs.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Daily Mail
The new 'kiss and fly' spy cameras that could land you with a huge bill for a two-minute airport drop-off… and it's just one of the sneaky parking traps lying in wait for holidaymakers this summer
Before you jet off on your summer holiday, make sure you have the journey to the airport and parking sorted out. Otherwise, it could cost you more than the flight – and in the worst cases your car could end up vandalised and sitting in a field. These are the latest parking fee swizzes you need to know – and tips to slash the cost of airport parking.
The Sun
10-07-2025
- The Sun
Huge cost of airport parking laid bare as holidaymakers forced to fork out up to £200 for 4-day stay
BRIT holidaymakers are being forced to fork out outrageous prices for airport parking - with significant price differences across regions. In some cases, car owners are being asked to pay up to £200 for a mere four-day stay at one of the country's busiest airports. 3 3 3 According to airport parking fees for short stays can now reach three-figure sums - with London City Airport being the most expensive at £189 for less than a week. Short-stay parking averages £93.90 for four days, while long-stay parking costs £59 on average. This contrasts parking in Scotland, which is found to be significantly cheaper than in England - with some smaller Scottish airports even offering free parking. Wales has the highest average long-stay rate at £81, nearly double Scotland's average. On this, a London City Airport spokesperson said that only 10% of their passengers use a private car and 'those that do use our car park enjoy being able to walk to our terminal from any area in a matter of minutes'. Indeed, rates vary widely depending on the airport, the time of year and whether the booking is for peak or off-peak periods. Research also suggests that taking a taxi to and from the airport may be cheaper, with the average cost of a return taxi journey being £92. To this end, of their survey of 2,000 Brits, it was revealed many travellers worry about car safety, theft and the time it takes to reach the terminal from parking areas. These concerns make alternatives like taxis or off-site parking services more appealing. Embarrassing moment woman has shameless airport meltdown screaming & stamping feet after being told her bag was too big Alvaro Iturmendi, a travel insurance expert, said: 'While airport parking is often convenient, the cost can be a challenge, especially during peak travel times. 'Many travellers might end up overpaying simply because they book too late or don't compare their options. 'Our research found that more than one in five (21%) people cite driving and parking in an airport car park as their preferred airport transfer. 'So, finding ways to reduce the cost might make the choice even sweeter.' HEY BIG SAVER Drivers can save on parking by booking in advance, as well as considering off-site park-and-ride services and sharing taxi costs can reduce expenses. Prices typically increase closer to the travel date, especially during peak times, while airport journey planner, which compares parking fees and taxi costs, can help travellers choose the most cost-effective option for their specific needs. Airports like Gatwick are also encouraging the use of trains, buses, or other public transport options to reduce reliance on private cars - which can be both cost-effective and eco-friendly.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Huge cost of airport parking this summer with travellers paying HUNDREDS for short stays
Holidaymakers jetting off on their summer breaks could be paying almost £200 for airport parking for just a four-day stay. And new data reveals that short-stay parking is almost 90 per cent more expensive in England than in Scotland. But there is an alternative that few realise works out cheaper, according to research from price comparison website – which says people are overpaying by not comparing their options. As millions of Britons prepare to head abroad for sunshine-filled breaks, many will be forking out to leave their car close to the terminals – with an average cost of £93.90 for four days in a short-stay car park. Four days in a long-stay option sees an average bill of £59. The most expensive parking was found at London City Airport, costing an eye-watering £189 for less than a week. However, a London City Airport spokesperson said that only 10 per cent of their passengers use a private car, and 'those that do use our car park enjoy being able to walk to our terminal from any area in a matter of minutes'. Prices were the lowest offered on the websites of UK airports across four dates, with two periods in August and two in October, covering a mixture of peak and off-peak, as well as weekends and weekdays. The rates fluctuate wildly across the country. Parking at airports in Scotland costs half as much as it does in England, with the latter coming in at 17 per cent higher than the UK average. Some smaller regional airports in Scotland even offer free parking, bringing the average cost down. Wales holds the unfortunate title of the most expensive average long-stay rate across the UK regions – £81, which is 93 per cent more expensive than Scotland's average. As well as comparing parking prices, a survey of 2,000 Brits revealed less than a quarter of those booking holidays compare the price of parking at the aviation hubs with booking a taxi. But this research found that holidaymakers spend on average a total of £92 for a taxi to and from the airport – often making them a more affordable option. Leaving the vehicle at home could relieve some of the anxiety around parking at the airport. A third of those surveyed worry about their car being damaged while parked, with 19 per cent concerned it could be stolen, while a third are concerned with the time it takes for them to reach the car park from the terminal. 'While airport parking is often convenient, the cost can be a challenge, especially during peak travel times. Many travellers might end up overpaying simply because they book too late or don't compare their options, said Alvaro Iturmendi, a travel insurance expert. The most expensive parking was found at London City Airport, costing an eye-watering £189 for less than a week 'Our research found that more than one in five (21 per cent) people cite driving and parking in an airport car park as their preferred airport transfer. 'So, finding ways to reduce the cost might make the choice even sweeter.' Being sure to book in advance, exploring off-site park and ride services and considering whether to split a taxi can reduce the burden of costs, Iturmendi added. 'Planning your airport transfer ahead of time, just like flights and accommodation, can make a big difference to your overall travel budget.' London City Airport has been contacted for comment. Earlier this year, bosses at Gatwick Airport – the UK's second-busiest airport – put forward plans to raise parking charges and drop-off fees to secure approval for a second runway. The proposals were part of a submission to the Planning Inspectorate, which had stated that Gatwick needs to ensure at least 54 per cent of travellers get there by public transport if it wants to expand its operations. The airport's chief executive said the main way to half the flow of people arriving in cars was to hike prices – especially since it has no control over the railways.
