Cheap Airport Parking Discussion

Hoping my experience may help others.

I used this company when I went skiing in February from Luton and it was a great service. So good in fact that when I recently went to Portugal from Luton I used them again but had a less than happy experience the second time..

When I left my car with them it was a sunny Friday afternoon. When I returned it was after midnight, wet and dark. The collection point where we waited for the driver was dark and poorly lit. The driver gave me my keys and exchanged hardly any words. Within minutes of leaving the airport under the motorway lighting I noticed a very large hairline crack in the windscreen which was not there when I left for my holiday. I immediately phoned back on the number I had used to let the driver know we had cleared baggage reclaim. I told him of the crack. He told me simply to email the office. He seemed sheepish and did not say much but English was not his first language anyway. I suspect they are told not to enter into any discussion is these situations and simply say “email the office”.

I did this the very next day with lots of photographs taken in the dark on my way home from the airport where I pulled over at the first service station I came to and got no response at all. After four days of no responses I telephoned yesterday to be told by the lady I booked with that "Customer Complaints” were looking into it and I would get an email.

About an hour later I got a badly worded brief email written denying any responsibility saying that they do not check windscreens and the damage wasn't notified when the vehicle was collected. This crack is so big there is no way that anyone would not have seen it in a car park over a period of ten days or indeed anyone driving it for more than a few minutes.

Most of the numbers used are mobile numbers even for booking which seems odd. I get the impression it is an operation run from a very small premises by perhaps two or three family members.
Luckily it could be worse and it wasn't our main family car but a second car run-around. I would look at all the exclusions shown on the website if anyone is thinking of booking. Although a user of this website for many years I have not posted messages before and as a new user am not allowed to post links. It is simply drivefly with a .co.uk. Hope I am allowed to do it that way...

They seem to accept responsibility for nothing. I would be very concerned about leaving a good car with them. Clause 5.2 states that even if they agree compensation they won't be responsible for the first £200 of any claim up to £1,000 or £400 for any claim over £1,000. That seems odd where they have damaged your vehicle that you the customer have to pay an "excess" for their damage.
In summary STEER WELL CLEAR OF DRIVEFLY airport parking based on my experience. Otherwise book at your peril….

PS - they operate at Heathrow and Gatwick as well. if you must use them I would suggest taking photos all around your car before departure and check extremely carefully on your return. I suspect they would still try to deny any responsibility though.

Happy Holidays!

Hi Mnavarra we booked using MagicParking.co.uk and the service was so stress free, easy to find prices and drivers where on time on drop off and collection. The website is well worth a look as the booking form is also fun to use. Have a look and let me know if you agree.

It might of been MagicParking.com

Ian and Wendy