A recent investigation by Which? has uncovered troubling behaviours by meet-and-greet airport operators at Heathrow and Gatwick airports in the UK. The consumer group used GPS trackers to expose rogue off-site parking companies earlier this year, revealing cases of speeding and theft from vehicles. According to Which?, there have been 300 complaints to the Heathrow police regarding meet and greet services in the last two years, with issues such as long wait times at drop-off and missing cars being reported.
One incident highlighted by the investigation involved a man who was sentenced to 17 months in prison for leaving Manchester Airport passengers’ cars in a farmer’s field or on nearby streets instead of in a secure compound, as promised. At Heathrow, Quick Park was found to have vehicles speeding at almost 70mph on the A4 and abandoned in a rectory’s back garden five miles away from the airport. Complaints included an 80-minute wait for collection, £4.50 in stolen change from a vehicle, and lack of identity verification during car collection.
Another operator at Heathrow, Mayfair Parking, was also found to have committed speeding offences, cash theft, and had unsecured car park facilities. Despite these findings, Mayfair Parking disputed the claims, stating that the car was stored in a BPA-accredited site, picked up promptly, and returned safely. At Gatwick, Prime Parking was reported to have moved a car from the official car park to an offsite location, returning it dirty with missing change.
In addition to the specific investigations at Heathrow and Gatwick, Which? conducted a survey among 3,161 members on their satisfaction with meet-and-greet airport parking experiences across the UK. Sentinel at Leeds Bradford airport was recognised as the best overall provider, receiving a 93% customer satisfaction score for value for money. Other recommended providers included APH, Cophall Park and Ride, and I Love Meet and Greet.
Which? also criticised parking comparison sites for contributing to the issue by allowing rogue traders to evade responsibility when things go wrong. The consumer group advised travellers to use official airport booking sites, opt for accredited providers, pre-book parking, and explore package deals or discounts from reputable companies. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, emphasised the importance of checking for reputable operators and recommended using the BPA’s approved Meet and Greet operator scheme, AM-GO.
Heathrow and Gatwick airports have urged passengers to use official on-airport parking services, highlighting the risks associated with third-party meet-and-greet providers. While these rogue operators may have names that include the airport’s name, passengers are encouraged to research and look for positive reviews on trusted platforms before making a booking decision. By staying informed and cautious, travellers can protect their vehicles and personal property when using meet-and-greet services at UK airports.