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Tuesday, 22 September 2009

TOP 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BOOKING AND USING AIRPORT PARKING IN THE UK

• posted by Mark Farrell on Tuesday, 22 September 2009 19:25

Heathrow Airport Parking, Gatwick Airport Parking, Liverpool Airport Parking, each airport has different parking facilities all of which can make it difficult to decide which parking provider to choose. This article explains what to look out for when deciding who to leave your vehicle with when you take that trip, be it for pleasure or business.

The tips below are in no particular order, as all are in valuable when parking:

Distance To The Airport
Just how far is your chosen car park from the airport you are travelling from? This is an important factor as this will depend on what time you have to leave for the airport. Generally the further away, the cheaper the price.

Insurance
Always check what sort of insurance the car park has. Some less reputable companies out there will not have any insurance at all, so if anything happened to your car you wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Car parks do not generally advertise their level of insurance so make sure you ask. If they are reluctant to tell you then avoid them like the plague as generally there will be a reason for that.

Security
Just how secure is your vehicle? Most car parks will give a brief outline of their security measures by stating things such as 24 hour security, perimeter fencing etc. These sort of statements can be hugely exaggerated so again, please ask the question. Companies with nothing to hide will not have a problem telling you.

Awards
There are many safe parking awards out there such as the Police Park Mark award. These are given out buy the local police in reward for meeting their stringent parking safety standards. Some companies advertise the fact that different car parks have them and some dont. Its worth booking with a car park that has won awards as they have gone that extra mile to ensure your vehicle is safe.

Car Location
Some car parks offering Edinburgh Airport Parking & Stansted Airport Parking have recently been in the media because they were found out by under cover journalists to be moving vehicles once they have been parked up. The customers believed their vehicles were in the same place when in actual fact car park staff and owners were moving them from place to place. With the introduction of tracking devices it is becoming increasingly difficult to get away with this. One sure fire way to avoid this is to insist on a written mileage check when leaving your vehicle and check it when you collect.

Shuttle Frequency
Car parks offering a park and ride service will generally have a shuttle service running. Make sure you check whether it is a dedicated transfer or a shuttle bus that runs continually. If the service is a continuous service then you could be waiting some time both ends to be taken to the airport or dropped back off at the car park.

Damage to your vehicle
This is hugely important. Always get a written record of damage when leaving your vehicle and always check it upon your return. If you do see any damage please make sure you report it before you leave the car park. The reason for this is that most companies will not accept liabilty for any damage claimed after the vehicle leaves the car park.

Price
Remember not to go for a company purely based on price. The cheapest isn't always the best. The old adage also applies to airport parking - you definately get what you pay for.

Reviews
Most booking agents have a review section on their websites. You will find good feedback and bad feedback here. Make a point of spending a reasonable amount of time reading these reviews as these reviews are from real people who have used the service before. This tip is probably the best tip of all of the tips in this article. After your trip has finished, remember to leave a review of your chosen car park so as to help others make the correct decision for their parking provider.

Disabled and Child Facilities
This may seem obvious but a lot of people just take it as sorted. If choosing a meet and greet parking provider there is no need to check for disabled or child facilities as you will be in your own vehicle. If however you choose a park and ride facility make sure they carry a range of child safety seats to suit the age of your children and also that their vehicles have wheel chair access.

There are many many more things to check when choosing and experiencing airport parking no matter which airport you are travelling from. By following the above guidelines though, you shouldnt go far wrong.

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Sunday, 11 January 2009

Plan Ahead to Enjoy Time Spent at Heathrow Airport

• posted by MF Airport Parking on Sunday, 11 January 2009 23:33

Whether you're travelling for business or pleasure, long flights, flights with multiple stops and even short flights with lengthy layovers can be stressful. Travelling by plane can take a toll on your mental and physical well being in multiple ways, and your experience at airports is just one of the sources of stress you may encounter.

Flight delays, impatient travellers, long lines, crowds and confusion are some of the biggest headaches people dread facing at airports. Yet if you prepare yourself ahead of time, you can make the most of the travel time you spend at airports before, after and in-between flights. You may not be able to control the weather and all the other factors that affect flights, but you can plan ahead to enjoy your time at the airport as much as possible.

Airports such as BAA Heathrow in the UK are striving to improve travellers'' experiences with a variety of great services and entertainment options. The shops, restaurants, cafes and lounges at Heathrow Airport are aimed at minimizing stress and boredom, promoting relaxation and facilitating productivity. If you're travelling on vacation or need to unwind from business travel, you have plenty of options for relaxation at Heathrow. If you'd like to turn your airport time into productive work hours, Heathrow provides access to the technology, space and atmosphere that can make it possible. By familiarising yourself with what's available before you travel, you can plan how you'll work, shop, dine, relax and even have fun at Heathrow.

Escape the Crowds at an Airport Lounge How would you like to spend up to three hours relaxing at Heathrow airport away from the hustle, bustle and crowds while you wait for your flight? Book your time at one of Heathrow's three lounges and you'll find plenty to keep you entertained - or everything you need to make your travel time productive.

Heathrow's lounges offer guests plenty of space. The number of persons allowed to book time at each of the lounges at Heathrow is limited, so there's comfortable seating and lots of room for all guests. You'll enjoy complimentary snacks such as nuts, pretzels, and crisps, plus you choice of complimentary soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, wine and spirits.

Family-friendly lounges feature games for kids and satellite TV. Business travellers' can take advantage of facilities offering fax, payphone, computer points and wireless Internet service. Everyone will appreciate the great selection of magazines and newspapers available at Heathrow's lounges. You'll want to book you lounge visit at Heathrow ahead of time to guarantee you're accommodated, and you can easily do so online. Visit BAA Heathrow's official website to choose and book your lounge time. You'll be delighted to find airport lounges at Heathrow are affordable as well as convenient.

Dining at Heathrow Whether you arrive at Heathrow with an appetite for a hearty breakfast, quick snack, leisurely lunch or outstanding meal, you'll have plenty of choices. The variety of cafes, restaurants and bars at Heathrow is superb, and with dozens of places to choose from, there's something to suit every traveller's taste and budget.

Take your pick of snacks to go, health foods or family-style fare. Enjoy a fine dining experience or relax at a trendy cocktail bar. Whatever you're in the mood for, you'll enjoy excellent food and drink at Heathrow. You can access full details on Heathrow's restaurants, bars and cafes including locations and hours at the airport's official website.

Bag a Bargain at Heathrow If you like shopping, you'll want to plan to spend some time exploring the variety of retailers at Heathrow. Gucci, Chanel, Burberry and Cartier are just a few of the top quality name brand retailers you'll find at Heathrow. Harrods, Bally, The Body Shop and Borders are a few more of the stores you won't want to miss. With nearly 100 shops to choose from, planning your shopping experience at Heathrow ahead of time is a great idea.
You can shop for travel items, gifts, souvenirs and duty-free merchandise (for qualifying International flights) at Heathrow. As you browse and select your choice of food, wine, accessories, fashion items, toys, books, electronics and more, you'll be amazed at how entertaining and rewarding time spent at the airport can be.

Plan your Visit to Heathrow When your travel itinerary includes a visit to Heathrow, make it more than an airport stop by planning how you'll spend your time. Heathrow Airport's official website is the best place to start organising your visit to a top traveller's destination - the airport itself!

Discover how great it feels to enjoy your time at the airport instead of just enduring it. Visit Heathrow's website to check out traveller's tips, download a map of the airport, learn about all the facilities and services on site and decide ahead of time where you'll dine, shop, work, relax and have fun at Heathrow.

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