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Summer holiday warning over airport drop-off fees adding to bills – how to avoid them and pay nothing
Plus, we've explained how to cut parking charges
AIRPORT drop-off charges have surged by up 20% more than last year, The Sun can reveal.
We checked prices at 28 UK airports, and seven had upped their charges - Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Gatwick, Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick and Leeds Bradford.
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For example, Gatwick now charges £6, up from £5 for a 10-minute stop.
Rod Dennis, RAC road safety spokesman, said: "It's hard to see these sky-high drop-off fees as anything other than a money-making opportunity for the car park operators.
"If public transport to an airport is poor or non-existent, travellers will inevitably have to drive, and it's not right they can be stung by such costs even if they're stopping for no more than a matter of minutes to drop off a friend or family member.
"Sadly though, drivers are a captive audience in these situations, so an airport is free to charge whatever it likes."
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However, you don't need to waste your cash on these costly fees.
Most airports have free areas for drop-offs.
These are often located in long-stay car parks just a short walk or bus journey away from the main terminal building.
But if you stick to drop-offs at the terminal we've explained how much you could be expected to pay this summer.
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WHICH AIRPORTS HAVE UPPED FEES?
Almost all UK airports charge drivers a minimum of £3 to drop off passengers, and seven have increased fees again over the past year.
Bristol Airport has upped the cost of a 30-minute stop from £5 to £6, and Gatwick Airport has done the same for a 15-minute wait.
Why it's important to buy travel insurance when booking a holiday
A Gatwick Airport spokesperson said: "While we have increased our drop-off charge on the forecourt, passengers can still get dropped off for free in the long-stay car park, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal. Blue Badge holders remain exempt from the charge.
"This will help reduce congestion, allow us to reinvest in sustainable transport."
Aberdeen Airport has increased its charge from £5 to £5.50, Glasgow Airport has hiked a 15-minute stop from £5 to £5.50, and Prestwick's has risen from £3.50 to £4.
Leeds Bradford has also hiked the cost of a 10-minute stay from £6 to £6.50.
If you fail to pay these charges, you could be slapped with a huge fine.
For example, if you don’t pay Heathrow’s £5 drop-off charge before midnight the following day, you’ll be hit with an £80 penalty charge notice (PCN).
However, this is reduced to £40 if it's paid within 14 days.
Only three airports remain without imposing drop-off charges.
Inverness and Newquay airports allow for free drop-offs outside their terminal building for up to 10 minutes.
Those dropping off at Cardiff Airport can do so for free for five minutes too.
AVOID DROP-OFF CHARGES
Even if there's a charge to park right outside the terminal, there are normally ways to avoid paying this.
Normally, there are free alternative drop-off areas in one of the mid- or longer-stay car parks.
For example, drop-offs at any of Heathrow's various long-stay car parks are free for 30 minutes.
From here, travellers can get on a transit bus to the terminal free of charge.
Passengers travelling from London Luton can be dropped off for free at its mid-stay car park, which is only a 10-minute walk from the terminal.
FREE DROP-OFFS
HERE'S how to avoid drop-off charges at your local airport:
- Aberdeen: Its long-stay car park is free for up to one hour, and there's a free shuttle bus to the terminal.
- Belfast City: The long-stay car park is free for up to 10 minutes. From here, it's only a small walk to the terminal.
- Belfast International: The long-stay car park is free for up to 15 minutes and is a six-minute walk from the terminal.
- Birmingham: The airport charges for its "premium set down" area, but its drop-off car park is free for up to 10 minutes. It's a 10-minute walk from the terminal.
- Bournemouth: There are no free parking options here.
- Bristol: There's a free one-hour waiting zone by the "Silver Zone'
car park to the south of the terminal. - East Midlands: Its "Long-stay 2" car park is free for up to an hour. It's a 15-minute walk to the terminal.
- Edinburgh: Its long-stay car park is free for up to 30 minutes.
- Exeter: There are no free parking options here.
- Gatwick: Free drop-offs are available at its long-stay car parks with free shuttle buses.
- Glasgow: You can stay for free for up to 30 minutes at its Long-stay car park.
- Glasgow Prestwick: There are no free parking options here.
- Heathrow: Drop-offs of up to 30 minutes are free in Heathrow's long-stay car parks.
- Leeds Bradford: There's a one-hour free parking zone, and the terminal is a three to four minute walk away.
- Liverpool: Its "Drop Off 2" car park is free for up to 40 minutes and is a five to 10-minute walk to the terminal.
- Luton: Its Mid Stay Car Park is free for up to 15 minutes. It's a 10 to 15-minute walk to the terminal. Alternatively, its Long Stay Car Park is free for one hour.
- Manchester: There's a free drop-off area, which is a short shuttle bus ride away from the terminal.
- Newcastle. Its "Short Stay 2" car park is free for up to 15 minutes.
- Norwich: There are no free parking options here.
- Southend: Its "Long Stay 3" car park is free for up to 15 minutes.
- Southampton: There are no free parking options here.
- Stansted: Its mid-stay car park is free for an hour. There's a free shuttle bus to the terminal every 10 minutes.
CUT PARKING CHARGES
If you need to park at the airport and aren't getting dropped off, book your airport parking online in advance to get the best deal.
You'll save hundreds of pounds compared to paying on the day.
Most airports offer on-site parking, which you can book directly via their website before you travel.
Private firms also offer parking outside the airport grounds.
Typically, you'll be met at the terminal, and your car will be parked for you, then returned when you arrive home.
Use a comparison site such as Holiday Extras, Airpark or SkyParkSecure, but check on MoneySavingExpert.com's airport parking guide first, as it has discounts of up to 45% via its links.
It's also worth opting for a flexible booking in case of any flight delays or cancellations.
WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS
Check reviews carefully before choosing a private airport parking firm.
There have been scams in the past, in which cars have been damaged or fined while their owners have been away.
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It's also worth paying for your parking with a credit card.
This means you could claim a refund from your bank if the company goes bust or doesn't provide the service promised.
BAG THE BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE
TRAVEL insurance can be purchased from travel agents and holiday companies when you book, but there is no obligation to take this.
Banks, supermarkets and insurance companies also offer travel cover and a comparison website can help you find the best product for your needs.
You will need to provide the names and ages of all travellers, the destination and any medical conditions.
Results can then be filtered based on the level of cover and the excess you want to pay.
You can also sort policies by price to find cheap travel insurance but check what is covered, as the lowest-cost deals may not always provide the best protection for you.
It may also be worth using an insurance broker if you have more complex needs. You can find a regulated insurance broker on the British Brokers Association website.
Also, check your current account as some banks may offer travel insurance automatically to their customers, although you should still check what is covered.
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