With millions of holidaymakers still to book their airport parking for the summer holidays, the Independent Airport Parking Association (IAPA) is warning families to beware rogue operators who offer the lowest prices but put customers' cars at risk.

The parking experts at IAPA, whose members include national companies and single airport specialists, have created a guide to help holidaymakers find the lowest parking prices without sacrificing their car's security.

Their top tips to get the best value airport parking are:

DO...

• Assess prices using an airport parking comparison site, such as airparks.co.uk or aph.com, as they'll show you the costs of onsite airport parking, park & ride and meet & greet from lots of different operators in one place.
• Like flights, parking prices usually increase as you get closer to your holiday and spaces get sold, so book now to get the best deals still available.
• Always check that the car park you choose has the Park Mark Award, which means it has been police assessed and is secure and fit for purpose.
• Look for hidden costs such as transfers, airport access fees and booking fees.
• Read independent reviews before you book, as they provide a comprehensive guide to previous customers' experiences.
• Book with a member of the Independent Airport Parking Association {https://www.iapa.me.uk/members} as they are committed to providing the highest levels of professionalism and service, so customers don't need to worry about car parking security and insurance.

DON'T…

• Rush your research. If you don't already have a favourite, finding the best prices with the best operators will take a little bit of work. So grab a cuppa, open your browser and do it properly.
• Assume onsite airport parking is always most convenient. Transport times from many park & ride facilities are on a par with airports' own services.
• Plump for the cheapest price with a company you don't know. Rogue parking companies don't have the proper parking facilities, teams and procedures in place to care for your car properly, so take a few minutes to check them out before you book.
• If you grab a lift from friends or relatives, don't hang around at the airport drop-off point as charges at most airports rise steeply for every few minutes of your stay.
• Just turn up on the day, as you'll pay the highest prices.

Nick Caunter, Chairman of the Independent Airport Parking Association says: “In the excitement of booking a summer holiday, airport parking can be one of the decisions that gets kicked down the road to be made later on.

“Families who still need to book for the summer can find the cheapest prices by following a few simple steps, but the best piece of advice we can give is to check out the company you book with to get airport parking peace of mind – it could save you much more in the long run.”

*Note to editors: a survey of IAPA member booking data shows that 40% of airport parking booking is made within four weeks of travel.

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Notes to editors: The Independent Airport Parking Association (IAPA) is the trade association representing the UK's leading park-and-ride and meet-and-greet operators. IAPA was created in 2002 to raise standards in the airport parking services industry so that customers can book airport parking with confidence.

For press information: contact Daniel Johnson Public Relations daniel@danieljohnsonpr.com 07429 256 670