Over 100 complaints about valet parking at Schiphol

The Koninklijke Marechaussee already received 110 complaints about problems with valet parking companies around Schiphol this year. Clients return from their trip to find damage to their car, many extra kilometers on the odometer, or that their car was involved in a traffic accident or caught speeding while they were away, Het Parool reports.

With valet parking, the traveler hands their car over at the airport and the company parks the car elsewhere. When they return, their car is returned to them at the airport or they have to pick it up at a paring lot.

The Koninklijke Marechaussee, a policing force that works as part of the Dutch military and is responsible for airport security, urges travelers to carefully read the contract they sign with the valet company, and to get in writing how many kilometers their car will cross and where it will be parked. Always report any abuse to the police, the Marechaussee and the company itself, the Marechaussee advises.

Valet parking is causing increasing problems around Schiphol, according to the newspaper. Cars are sometimes parked along the road or in industrial areas where parking is prohibited. The municipality of Haarlemmermeer, which covers the airport, also recently warned about the risks of valet parking. The municipality advised users of such services to record their mileage and take photos of their car before handing it over to the valet company. Photos can be used as evidence later if the car is returned damaged.