With the number of ‘Meet and Greet’ parking services at UK airports on the increase, it can be hard to make a confident choice. While you do leave your vehicle at an airport at your own risk, The British Parking Association provides a few handy hints to follow when selecting a service:
- Is the member of staff that greets you wearing a uniform – and carrying an ID badge? If so, verify the badge – does it endorse the company you’re dealing with, in the location you’re at?
- Are you doing business in an elected spot – such as a stand at the airport or a booth in the area of the airport? Not having premises is a sure fire indication that something might not be right.
- Check where the company will be storing your car. Can they point out their storage facility? If it is off site, and they usually are, can they tell you where it is, or show you a picture? Does the company own the storage facility?
- Ensure you get a correct receipt. Verify that the receipt shows the company details – does the company name match, and is the address exact?
Ardent Airport Parking ashamed of other so called secure meet and greet parking services
With so many ruined reputations of customers misused airport parking horror stories Ardent called a staff meeting – why? They aspired to intensify security and perfect customer services so that they don’t meet the same destiny.
Items they implemented immediately included
- All employees are aged 25 and over
- All employees have a full licence for longer than 12 months
- Insurance stepped up to protect both parties
- A full receipt is provided to the client showing all company details logo and contact details
- Security cameras installed in prominent positions
- Regular patrol of secure lock up facilities increased
- Staff are CRB checked and were necessary hold valid taxi/private hire licences.
Because Ardent Airport Parking focused on these items, their business improved for the Stansted Airport (STN). During the summer holidays (Mid June, July, August, and 1st week of September) they were sold out and had to arrange parking at an alternative site just to fit everyone in.
Parking requests snowballed from about 50 per day to just about 300 a day all through this period.
Client’s comments are further proof of their services
What a gem! Flying from Stansted, these are the only people to go with. Paid £59 for 2 weeks parking plus received a incredible transfer service. After parking, we were driven to the airport terminal immediately and they were there waiting for us when we arrived back. Driver was v. polite and helpful. Service was fantastic; you’d be crazy to use anyone else.
Reviewed on 28 Aug 2010
We have used the parking services of several companies at 6 different airports and this was undoubtedly the best service and best value. Because it is significantly cheaper than the long stay car park at Stansted, I had worries that the service might be poor. Yet, the service supplied turned out to be much superior than from the extended stay car park.The directions provided with the booking were very clear; we had no difficulty in finding the parking area (though I do recommend taking the company’s directions with you!). The moment we got there we were driven to the airport straight away and then picked up as soon as we returned. The person driving the minibus was extremely helpful on both journeys. The complete route was effortless and we wasted no time at either end of the journey. Would definitely recommend this company.
Reviewed on 22 Aug 2010
I have just come back having used Ardent and can highly recommend – personal and attentive service. The car was safe and secure; I was looked after and all at a fantastic price. Highly recommended
Reviewed on 20 Jul 2010
Customers chooses their level of service to suit their budgets and needs
Ardent customers have several choices of either parking their cars outside or undercover which suits all types of budgets, with their Meet and Great Service they will meet the customer at the Stansted Airport’s “drop off area” and return the car back to their compound or customers have the choice of dropping their car off at their premises (directions given at time of booking) means it suits all types of needs. For those dropping their cars off they offer a free transfer to and from the airport in their Mini-bus.
Ardent Airport Parking takes customer service to a new level
To be rolled out in 2011 a new loyalty scheme will be set up for Ardent customers who are frequently flying either for business or personal.
The loyalty scheme will allow numerous options to the customer where they can choose
- Free days parking
- Upgrades to Meet and Great
- Undercover parking
- Wash and vacuum
Ardent Airport Parking will be working with their development team, Scarborough Web Design, to provide secure online advanced bookings discounts and working to enhance the website in general thus providing an even better experience for online bookings
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