Terence Baxter* booked a meet‑and‑greet service to park his Volkswagen at Heathrow while he and his wife holidayed abroad. After handing over the keys at the drop‑off point, they were driven to the terminal and never saw the car again. On returning, the operator told them the vehicle had been stolen, along with seven others.
Why it matters
Airports and police forces have recently warned travellers that “unofficial” operators advertising cheap long‑stay parking are responsible for a surge in complaints. Reports from returning holidaymakers include vehicles that were damaged, burgled or stolen while in the care of such services.
Some customers have also received penalty charge notices (PCNs) for alleged parking breaches even though their cars were supposedly stored in secure compounds, while others were left stranded when a promised meet‑and‑greet never arrived.
Anyone can legally start a parking business as long as airline bylaws are not breached. However, the most unscrupulous firms often lack contracts with landowners and may “moonlight” from airport hotel car parks, then dump cars on construction sites, fields or other off‑site locations.
What could happen next
Baxter is pursuing a claim with his insurer, which has been classified as “at fault”. He feels the parking company is evading responsibility and may continue trading without consequence. If insurers deem the operator liable, the company could face compensation payments and further scrutiny.
Park At Airport attributes vehicle and key thefts to organised criminal gangs and says it is cooperating with a police investigation, while also working to resolve PCN issues. Sussex police have closed their investigation due to insufficient evidence but remain aware of ongoing concerns and continue to coordinate with trading standards.
Consumer group Which? previously uncovered that some comparison sites list rogue operators under generic names that change after negative reviews. The investigation suggests that, in some cases, the comparison site and the parking provider may be the same entity.
Heathrow has now joined the British Parking Association’s Approved Meet‑and‑Greet Operator (AM‑GO) scheme, a quality‑control initiative that vets members against a code of practice and is backed by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives. Birmingham airport has also signed up. Most airports, however, still lack a publicly‑available list of approved operators, so travellers are advised to look for the Park Mark logo, which indicates police‑approved safety checks, and to be cautious of deals that are significantly below market rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a meet‑and‑greet parking service?
A meet‑and‑greet service typically collects a vehicle at the airport terminal, parks it off‑site, and returns it to the passenger on arrival. Customers hand over their keys at a designated drop‑off point and are promised a chauffeur to the terminal.
How can travellers verify that a parking provider is reputable?
Travellers should read online reviews, check for the Park Mark logo that signals police safety checks, and confirm that the operator is listed under a vetted scheme such as the British Parking Association’s AM‑GO. Caution is advised when a deal appears significantly cheaper than average.
What steps have airports taken to address rogue parking operators?
Heathrow and Birmingham airports have joined the AM‑GO scheme, which requires member companies to adhere to a code of practice and undergo police‑backed vetting. The scheme aims to reduce scams and improve security, though most airports still do not publish a comprehensive list of approved providers.
Will you double‑check the credentials of your airport parking provider before your next trip?
Worth a look