[Finance] gatwick drop-off fee £5

[trueblue]

I’m dropping my lad and family off at Gatwick North later this month. If it really is that easy to avoid paying, I just wonder why Gatwick still do this and why they haven’t tried to overcome some of the issues like much better signage before someone ends up getting to the point of return which means they have to drive through. And why isn’t there more in the media to let everyone know they don’t have to pay

I'd say the lack of 'better signage' is because, like a lot of private schemes, they haven't really got a legal basis for their charge. They do it because they can get away with it, knowing most people assume they have the authority AND/OR are either anxious or lazy about sending an email to get the fee overturned and wait for a response. The implication that the fine could soar puts a lot of people off, I'm sure. If everyone stopped paying, maybe they'd try to tighten the rules but for now it's better to operate in a lucrative grey area.

I've got mixed feeling over these type of schemes having lived in a flat where parking would have been a real issue without the shyster parking company to keep bays free (though sometimes trying to impose unwarranted charges on residents). It's just a shame they're regulated so badly and very difficult to interact with.

Rules can change. I would check the moneysavirngexpert thread for recent successes if deciding not to pay.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

I'd say the lack of 'better signage' is because, like a lot of private schemes, they haven't really got a legal basis for their charge. They do it because they can get away with it, knowing most people assume they have the authority AND/OR are either anxious or lazy about sending an email to get the fee overturned and wait for a response. The implication that the fine could soar puts a lot of people off, I'm sure. If everyone stopped paying, maybe they'd try to tighten the rules but for now it's better to operate in a lucrative grey area.

I've got mixed feeling over these type of schemes having lived in a flat where parking would have been a real issue without the shyster parking company to keep bays free (though sometimes trying to impose unwarranted charges on residents). It's just a shame they're regulated so badly and very difficult to interact with.

Rules can change. I would check the moneysavirngexpert thread for recent successes if deciding not to pay.

Thanks … that makes sense

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

The relevant info is here : https://forums.moneysavingexpert.co...thread-for-heathrow-and-gatwick-drop-off-pcns

I'm off to gatwick tonight to collect my son and not paying.

Seems hassle, and more potential hassle, for 6 quid.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Not sure you can use the signage argument at Gatwick these days. There were pretty big and obvious signs about the charges all the way into the South Terminal when I dropped my son off there the other weekend.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

Not sure you can use the signage argument at Gatwick these days. There were pretty big and obvious signs about the charges all the way into the South Terminal when I dropped my son off there the other weekend.

I won’t be risking it when I drop my lad and family off later this month.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I won’t be risking it when I drop my lad and family off later this month.

Quite. I can’t think of many better battles than trying to save 6 quid at Gatwick drop off.

 

[Lindfield by the Pond]

As part of the attempt to get the second runway approved, they need to have more public transport being use. To discourage car useage they plan to increase the drop off fee even more.

 

[Bold Seagull]

I've got to pick up my sister from Gatwick in a couple of months.

Is my only option the short stay car park or can I stop at a drop off point to pick her up?

If I'm able to use the drop off, how do I pay for it? Do I create an account first or do they contact me after scanning my number plate?

I’ve parked for free in the long stay and daughter got on the long stay bus, or I’ve parked in Pease Pottage services, waited for a text she’s cleared passport then driven the 5 mins to pick her up.

 

[trueblue]

Not sure you can use the signage argument at Gatwick these days. There were pretty big and obvious signs about the charges all the way into the South Terminal when I dropped my son off there the other weekend.

The signage doesn’t change anything. For what it’s worth, I’d usually just pay the drop-off - but the letter route is handy for someone who forgets.

 

[trueblue]

Seems hassle, and more potential hassle, for 6 quid.

It’s not “for 6 quid” if you forget to pay online in time or aren’t aware. That’s when the template comes in handy. It’s one mostly ‘copy and paste’ email for a guaranteed win. If people would rather pay an outrageous ‘fine’ for being there for a couple of minutes, that’s up to them.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

It’s not “for 6 quid” if you forget to pay online in time or aren’t aware. That’s when the template comes in handy. It’s one mostly ‘copy and paste’ email for a guaranteed win. If people would rather pay an outrageous ‘fine’ for being there for a couple of minutes, that’s up to them.

You need to re-read the post I quoted. The poster planned to intentionally go to the airport drop-off and intentionally not pay the 6 quid. This is quite different to forgetting to pay, or overstaying the allotted time.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

I've got to pick up my sister from Gatwick in a couple of months.

Is my only option the short stay car park or can I stop at a drop off point to pick her up?

If I'm able to use the drop off, how do I pay for it? Do I create an account first or do they contact me after scanning my number plate?

If you're local to the area - i.e. Brighton and anywhere up to Crawley then get your sister to phone you from baggage reclaim and then start your drive. You'll still need to pay the fee and your sister might need to wait for a short while but you'll end up paying a smaller fee.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

I've got to pick up my sister from Gatwick in a couple of months.

Is my only option the short stay car park or can I stop at a drop off point to pick her up?

If I'm able to use the drop off, how do I pay for it? Do I create an account first or do they contact me after scanning my number plate?

I usually drive up and park in Long Term - which you can do for free up to two hours.

My lad messages me when they are about to exit the terminal after they've got their bags. I then drive to the pickup to meet them.

No need to create an account - just pay via this link https://www.gatwickairport.com/transport-options/drop-off.html

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I usually drive up and park in Long Term - which you can do for free up to two hours.

My lad messages me when they are about to exit the terminal after they've got their bags. I then drive to the pickup to meet them.

No need to create an account - just pay via this link https://www.gatwickairport.com/transport-options/drop-off.html

Do they have an app from which you can pay?

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

Do they have an app from which you can pay?

They do indeed …

‎Gatwick Airport Official

‎Your official Gatwick Airport guide, with live flight information, and great offers and tips to make the most of your time at Gatwick. Take the stress out of travelling and get to and through the airport hassle-free with the official Gatwick Airport app. * INSTANT ACCESS TO LIVE FLIGHT...

apps.apple.com

 

[happypig]

Seems hassle, and more potential hassle, for 6 quid.

If someone offered you £7.20 (assuming you pay income tax) for literally five minutes work, why wouldn't you ?

As part of the attempt to get the second runway approved, they need to have more public transport being use. To discourage car useage they plan to increase the drop off fee even more.

The problem with that argument is that if you've an early flight then getting there from Eastbourne by public transport isn't possible (first train gets to LGW at 05:49)

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

They do indeed …

‎Gatwick Airport Official

‎Your official Gatwick Airport guide, with live flight information, and great offers and tips to make the most of your time at Gatwick. Take the stress out of travelling and get to and through the airport hassle-free with the official Gatwick Airport app. * INSTANT ACCESS TO LIVE FLIGHT...

apps.apple.com

View attachment 201156

Perfect, so you can pay with a few clicks on your phone. As long as the fines are reasonable, I can’t really see any issue with this.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

If someone offered you £7.20 (assuming you pay income tax) for literally five minutes work, why wouldn't you ?

I try to make my life as easy as possible. Deliberately not paying for a 6 quid drop off, getting a fine, filing out a form and then the worry if the form will work really isn’t may thing. 6 quid for an easier life wins every time.

It’s not really in my nature either.

 

[Ace Grace]

You can pick up from a drop off point. If North terminal I use the bay outside Premier Inn (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kn8bBioYq9WhwENg9).
If you'd rather go in the car park it is, iirc, £6 for 30 mins.
Paying drop off charge go to https://www.gatwickairport.com/transport-options/drop-off.html . You have until midnight the next day to pay it.

Thank you

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

The signage doesn’t change anything. For what it’s worth, I’d usually just pay the drop-off - but the letter route is handy for someone who forgets.

I registered for the automatic payment, saves me having to remember.