Heathrow Airport adds parking levy to off-airport meet and greet operators

It means it is more important than ever for customers to get the best deal on airport parking.

You can avoid this additional charge by using the BAA Official Valet Parking service, but given this is one of the most expensive available, you would not really be saving anything. It just seems a shame that people are facing this hike in fees at a time when everyone is strapped for cash.

The fees were first added to car parking services back in the summer of last year, but have largely flown below the radar because the extra fee is usually included in the quoted prices that customers pay.

Based on our independent customer reviews on-site, BAA’s own Official Valet Parking Service has an 89% rating, behind six other providers – including the award-winning MBW Meet and Greet Parking and Heathrow Sky Super Saver both reaching a satisfaction rating of 90% or more.

These Meet & Greet services are typically used for trips of between three and eight days, so both holidaymakers, those looking for a romantic weekend away, and business travellers will be affected.

Heathrow’s figures released this month showed its retail income, which includes parking charges for both Heathrow and Stansted, had grown from £518.6m in 2011 to £541.7m in 2012.

Fear not, businesses are doing everything they can in this economic downturn to entice a sale with knock down prices and bonus incentives. Eith the prospect of finding a bargain weekend away you’ll not only get in the good books but could also save a packet on the pre-recession prices.

Make the most of a Getaway bargain

Stuck for getaway ideas? Here’s 5 popular Valentines getaway destinations:-

• Amsterdam (Netherlands) – is the Dutch capital city of love. With romantic boat tours on over 165 canals, you can sit back and take in some of the 1281 beautiful bridges and tall houses along the waterways. Dine in candle-lit before relaxing at one of the cities many bars and cafes.
• Bath (UK) – Bath is an architecturally elegant city which is listed as a World Heritage site. Though named after the roman bath houses for which it was famous, these days you can only visit the ancient Roman Bath house for historic reasons. Couples can still get into hot water in the Thermae Bath Spa, which offers immersion in Britain’s only naturally heated waters. Massage treatments and the chance to look out over the city from the open air balcony pool are also available.
• Galway (Ireland) – Galway is nicked named Ireland’s cultural heart, and renowned for its vibrant lifestyle, numerous festivals and art galleries. Situated on Ireland’s rugged west coast, it’s a great city for lively couples with traditional live music abound in cosy pubs – perfect for a romantic Irish jig.
• Bruges (Belgium) – Architecturally beautiful, no couple could fail to be impressed by Bruges. Nicknamed “The Venice of the North”, the medieval maze of cobbled streets, canals and squares offers the perfect romantic getaway. This pretty and perfectly preserved example of a medieval settlement is also a haven for choc-o-holics – visit the Choco-Story museum which tells the tale of chocolate with free samples along the tour.
• Istanbul (Turkey) – perhaps not the first city that comes to the minds of amorous couples, nether the less, Turkey’s intoxicating capital has a very romantic side too. An astonishingly beautiful city, spread over seven hills and surrounded by water, take a tour across the mighty Bosphorus, the straits that separate Europe and Asia, then sample a delicious meze platter for two.

If you’re jetting away for a romantic break, why not enhance the experience further by starting your Valentines trip with an overnight airport hotel stay before your flight. With deals on airport hotels and big savings available on airport parking, you could even indulge further by enjoying an airport lounge stay from just £13.50 while waiting for your flight. ]]> http://www.gosimply.com/blog/grab-a-travel-bargain-this-valentines/feed/ 0 http://www.gosimply.com/blog/gosimply-top-theatre-tickets-at-rock-bottom-prices/ http://www.gosimply.com/blog/gosimply-top-theatre-tickets-at-rock-bottom-prices/#comments Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:30:56 +0000 Nick http://www.gosimply.com/blog/?p=4175

Unless you’re a Venetian gondolier, you probably don’t push the boat out every day – but at gosimply.com, we believe in treating yourself whenever you can. With that in mind we’re bringing you top class theatre tickets at bottom end prices.

If you believe in the importance of keeping romance alive, or have a mate who deserves a special night out…heck, even if YOU haven’t painted the town red for far too long, we have some show-stopping theatre ticket offers so that you can dive headfirst into the glitz and glamour of London’s West End.

The magic of a West End production at a down-to-Earth price.

With more than 75 different shows to choose from, including productions such as Grease, Mamma Mia!, Legally Blond and Wicked, there’s no shortage of choice. With prices starting from as little as £12.50 per person, it could even be cheaper than a night out at the pub!

Dine and show

Make your evening a little bit more special,with one of our dine and show offers. You’ll enjoy a terrific meal in addition to some of the finest entertainment in the world – what could be better? Well, how about if we tell you that the price of many ‘dine and show’ packages is actually cheaper than the stand alone show ticket prices? We know. Madness.

Dine and Show packages offer outstanding value.

Next time you’re contemplating a take-away in front of the TV or a drink or 5 at the pub, think again. Let gosimply introduce a third option to the equation and add a little spark to your evening with our amazing selection of theatre tickets.

We always appreciate it whenever a bona fide money-saving expert recommends gosimply.com (by that, we mean money-saving experts that aren’t biased towards companies that “support” his website) – so we’re over the moon that the guardian.co.uk gave us their royal seal of approval in a recent travel write up.

Don't get ripped off. Book in advance to save a packet on airport parking.

In the recent article, “Where to park and not get taken for a ride”, Marc Lockley, writer of guardian.co.uk’s money-saving column, The Negotiator, recommended to his readers that they “keep checking gosimply.com” to find the best available prices for airport car parking.

Marc also noted that we had the best price for Manchester Airport parking, which was a lovely thing to announce, but won’t be a surprise to our loyal customers.

The savviest travellers know that paying standard gate prices at airport car parks is not the best idea when you’re trying to stay within budget. Pre-booking your parking at the airport will not only be easier on your wallet, but guarantee your space, too. Remember also that the sooner you book, the more you’re likely to save.

We’re dedicated to providing travellers with the very best service on all of the products we offer, so next time you want the cheapest airport parking, be sure to take an expert’s advice and book it in advance with gosimply.com.

Building on the success of our one-stop travel services, we’re proud to announce that gosimply.com is moving into pastures new with the exciting introduction of over 5,000 experience days across the UK.

gosimply.com compares the best of the best experience days in one simple search, from bungee jumping to rally driving, wine tasting to fun-filled family days out. Discover what’s on in your local area with the easy-to-use distance filter, or if you’re in the market for something a little unique, choose from one of the lifestyle experiences that gosimply.com has to offer.

Fancy a little bungee jumping?

When it comes to birthdays, anniversaries or any special day for that matter, you can also purchase experiences in the form of gift vouchers. Better still, (and our personal favourite), why not join them and make the day even more enjoyable and special!

Take the family for scuba diving lessons.

With experience days starting from as little as £35, make a lasting memory that can be shared and enjoyed with friends and family for years to come. ]]> http://www.gosimply.com/blog/gosimply-adds-experience-days/feed/ 0 http://www.gosimply.com/blog/financial-times-recommends-gosimply-com-for-airport-lounges/ http://www.gosimply.com/blog/financial-times-recommends-gosimply-com-for-airport-lounges/#comments Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:47:22 +0000 Nick http://www.gosimply.com/blog/?p=4134

Here at gosimply.com, we’ve always been aware of the benefits that a relaxing start to your journey can have and we’ve always been keen to provide travellers with as much information as possible for the 100’s of airport parking, airport hotel and airport lounge services available. It’s always nice however when someone else recognises our hard work and the service we provide, as did the ‘Financial Times’ just last week.

Avoid the stress of the airport terminal

In their article, the Financial Times were talking about the various ways in which travellers could lessen the niggles and discomforts that economy flights of 4 hours or more can inflict and, you’ve guessed it, pre-booking an airport lounge was one of those recommendations.

Enjoy The Comfort Of An Airport Lounge

Relax In Style Before Boarding Your Flight

An airport lounge can help you to relax and get into the right frame of mind before you even board the flight. With prices starting from as little as £13.50 per person and inclusive of drinks and snacks, as well as other facilities to help you pass the time in comfort, an airport lounge is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the main terminal building. As the ‘Financial Times’ so kindly pointed out, this is where “Sites such as ‘gosimply.com’ can help”.

So next time you’re planning a journey, whether for business or pleasure, why not plan ahead and rather than dreading the airport experience, look forward to it as a welcome part of the overall journey plan.

The twilight of another year is almost upon us, but with Christmas at the forefront of everyone’s minds, New Year’s celebrations are often a last minute thought. With that in mind, we’ve prepared a simple hit list to ensure you start your New Year with a bang.

Start your New Year with a bang

Fireworks at home have a become big business. Once no more than a few mini rockets and sparklers, some displays now give official events a run for their money. If you’ve got the space (our research boffins recommend a minimum safe distance of 25 feet from the firework action), here’s how you can have some firework fun without blowing up your wallet:

The best parties start with a good invite

First impressions count, even if it is your Blue Peter best! The more organised the party sounds the more likely people will respond. Apart from stating a clear time of when your “doors open”, and what time you’re starting the fireworks we’ve got a couple of suggestions:

Become a party popper, not a party pooper!

• Bring a “banger”. Although it’s pretty standard to turn up with your favourite tipple, asking your friends to bring along a firework as well will go a long way to getting a big display out of a small budget.
• Hold a competition. It adds an air of excitement and will encourage people to join in. The guest with the brightest or noisiest firework could win some cinema vouchers, or a bottle of bubbly.
• Cater for everyone. Not everyone loves the bright lights and noise of fireworks, so let your guests know that you’ve got a games room for their enjoyment (personally, we go for a bit of karoake).
• Invite your neighbours. Give them prior notice of the party so even if they can’t or don’t want to attend, it will give them pre-warning to batten down the hatches and make sure that any pets are safe and sound indoors.

Home Sweet Home (and how to keep it that way!)

A house full of indoor guests is one thing, but bringing the outdoors in could mean muddy boots and wet overcoats, making things rather messy. Follow these simple tips to get your house ship-shape for the party of the year!

Avoid muddy feet and 'mishaps' - put some cupboard down!

• Hide your breakables. You and your party guests will likely be wrapped up in warm jackets and wooly scarfs, and we seem to have this funny habit of not knowing how much room we take up. Avoid “brushing past” and knocking over any breakables by placing them upstairs in a safe place (the valuables that is, not the guests).
• Protect your carpets. The cheapest way is to use some cardboard. It may not look attractive, but it will save your floor from muddy footprints and a dreaded “mulled wine incident”.
• Get covered. If you don’t have a marquee, see if one of your friends has one that you can put outside. It’s a great way to keep people dry whilst allowing you to cater outside. Alternatively, go down your local B&Q or Homebase and grab some transparent tarpaulin to fashion a make do shelter. That way people can still look up through the roof and watch the fireworks.
• Cater near the garden or outside. It keeps things simple, and this is where most of the action is. Weather permitting you won’t need a canopy, but if you opt to cater outside and there is a chance of rain see “get covered” above.
• Spud-u-like and Cheenz! Jacket potatoes with beans and cheese is a simple and cheap yet satisfying way to cater for the masses. Be adventurous and cook a spicy chilli to warm your guests palette.
• Hot chocolate, Mulled wine, Tea and Coffee. If you have more than 10 guests it may be worth hiring a large volume hot drinks dispenser – the perfect way to serve your hot drinks in an instant.

How to set up your garden for fireworks

If you are lucky enough to have the space to hold a fireworks display, some basic planning and precautions should be taken to minimize the risk of damage and, more importantly, injury.

A few precautions will go a long way for your fireworks party

• Wear goggles or safety glasses. There’s every chance a “dud” firework could suddenly re-ignite at any point. Eyes are vulnerable, so it’s important to make sure that they’re well-protected. You’re unlikely to win any fashion awards, but it’s a small price to pay.
• Have some buckets of water ready. Strategically place them around the garden. Not all fireworks fully detonate; don’t take it for granted that they have. Make sure that every firework that appears to be dormant is dropped into a bucket or large container of water and left there to soak.
• Get some wet towels on standby. Hopefully these won’t be needed, but if someone is unfortunate enough to be hit by a spark or stray firework, having these ready can save valuable seconds and help prevent serious injury.
• Tie a Safety Line across the width of the garden as a tangible barrier to seperate the safe area and the danger zone. This is a good way to prevent a crowd of people moving too far forward to get a better view of ground-based fireworks.
• Grab a hose pipe. A good way to prevent any stray sparks from causing a fire in the first place is to give everything a good soaking before the display starts.
• Basic First Aid is a good idea, do some quick reading up on how to treat minor burns. If anything does happen, some good on-the-spot first aid can reduce the severity of a burn, giving it a better chance to heal quickly.

Happy New Year!

No matter what you decide or where you land up this New Years Eve, the important thing is to be close to those that mean the most to you, have fun and dream of all the possibilities that the New Year could bring. So from the gosimply.com team, have a very happy Christmas and a safe and memorable Happy New Year.

]]> http://www.gosimply.com/blog/bang-goes-another-year-top-tips-for-fireworks-at-home/feed/ 0 http://www.gosimply.com/blog/avoid-airport-chaos-this-winter-with-our-airport-hotels/ http://www.gosimply.com/blog/avoid-airport-chaos-this-winter-with-our-airport-hotels/#comments Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:28:23 +0000 Nick http://www.gosimply.com/blog/?p=3998

The winter weather is due to return with a vengeance this weekend. If you’re flying out for the Christmas period we’ve got a “Plan B” to help you avoid early morning traffic jams or airport terminal mayhem from delayed flights.

Heavy snow disrupts UK airports

Although snow and ice can be festive and fun, it’s a royal pain in the behind when you need to get from A to B. With that in mind we recommend you jetsetters book into one of our warm and cosy airport hotels before your flight.

Great airport hotel savings

There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad preparation …If the winter weather does become an issue, you’ll stand a better chance of catching your flight if you’re booked into a hotel that’s located near to the airport terminal. For the latest prices check out our live airport hotel prices*, or follow one of the links* below:

UK Airport hotel and parking packages

If you’re driving to the airport, a combined airport hotel and parking package can cost you little more than airport parking alone!

Grab the right level of Travel Insurance

If there’s one tip we can give you for travelling this christmas, it’s ensuring that your travel insurance covers delay and cancellations due to bad weather. Always check the small print as not all policies cover all losses as a result of weather disruption.

*Prices correct as at 17 December 2010 15:53 ]]> http://www.gosimply.com/blog/avoid-airport-chaos-this-winter-with-our-airport-hotels/feed/ 0 http://www.gosimply.com/blog/snow-and-rock-winner-2010/ http://www.gosimply.com/blog/snow-and-rock-winner-2010/#comments Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:45:01 +0000 Amie http://www.gosimply.com/blog/?p=2321

We’re pleased to announce the winner of our Snow+Rock £100 voucher giveaway is Mrs. Trudi Walsh! Perfect timing to stock up on winter woolies as the snowy weather draws in again. I’m a little jealous, Trudi!

Try your luck next time

All Trudi had to do was like gosimply’s Facebook and enter her name and email address on our competition page. If you missed out – don’t worry we’re running more exciting competitions in 2011. Keep track of them via Facebook, Twitter or the gosimply blog!

Don't Despair! We are running more competitions in 2011

A little something to help you travel this winter

If you’re off travelling this winter, you can still grab yourselves some cheap travel insurance. We offer various deals from winter sports insurance to backpackers insurance. Each offer tailor made activities and extras, so not only are you covered for what you need, but all at a price that’ll have you yodelling our praises from the mountain tops.

Hoping you all have a safe and Merry Christmas! From the gosimply team.

Snow is falling and we’re feeling the Christmas spirit at gosimply HQ. With that in mind we’ve got a festive giveaway for you – simply enter our lucky draw for your chance to win £100 in Snow and Rock Vouchers.

Christmas Wishes with a £100 Lucky Draw - courtesy of gosimply.com

Snow and Who?

Surely you’ve heard of “Snow and Rock”? No? Well, head on over to snowandrock.com to check out some of their awesome products. If you’re off on a winter holiday or know someone that is ski mad (or just a lover of the rugged outdoors for that case), then this is definitely for you!

It’s quick, easy and best of all free

Head on over to our lucky draw, follow us on Facebook, enter your details (so we can contact you if you win), and in a little under 2 weeks, you could be receiving an early Christmas gift from us nice chaps and chapesses at gosimply.com.

There’s more…

With festive tunes playing in the office and an overwhelming desire to spread some goodwill we wanted to give you that little bit more. For those jetting off in search of some winter sun (when the airports open again!) we’re offering 10% off our airport lounges. To activate the discount click here then enter XMAS10 before searching for your dates and airport.

* 10% discount code for airport lounges only available for bookings made before 31st December 2010. Free Lucky draw closes 15th December 2010.