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Original poster

AIBU to seek a partial refund over broken airport car park lifts?

32 replies

Ponderlife · 15/05/2026 08:40

Last week we flew back to Birmingham Airport. The two lifts to the car park were out of action. As we did the twilight drop off at the airport around 5pm the morning before our departure, we were able to use the stairs. Carrying our hand luggage.

Cue arriving back to the airport. By the time we got our suitcases from the carousel, it was 9pm. My DM has assistance. As unable to stand for long and struggles with moderate distance walking. She had a wheelchair

The lifts were still out of action. My DF and myself took the suitcases and hand luggage up two flights of stairs. Then assisted DM up the stairs. DM is ok with stairs if there is a handrail and steps are even.

We were not informed that the lifts were out of action. This will cause more inconvenience for others especially if they have been away for longer have more luggage.

Do you think that we should get a partial refund? Also we are complaining about the lack of signage to direct passengers to car parks from the terminal

OP posts:
Fancyflapjack1 · 15/05/2026 09:36

would it not have made sense for one of you to drive the car down and the other to stay with mum and the cases rather than all trek up 2 flights?

toomuchfaff · 15/05/2026 09:36

why didnt one of you able bodied go get the car (without luggage), and drive it somewhere accessible? Instead of all going to the car with luggage and disabled DM?

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 15/05/2026 09:33

You paid for parking
You were allowed to park
You had full access to your vehicle.
You didn't specify at the time of booking that you needed assistance for any member of your party.
You made things more difficult than they needed to be (as PP have said).

You're not entitled to any refund.

ColdAsAWitches · 15/05/2026 09:13

The lifts were still out of action. My DF and myself took the suitcases and hand luggage up two flights of stairs. Then assisted DM up the stairs. DM is ok with stairs if there is a handrail and steps are even.

Why didn't you and your mother wait on the ground floor while your father went and got the car? There was no need for trying to get everyone and a wheelchair up two flights of stairs.

Octavia64 · 15/05/2026 09:04

I’m disabled and use a wheelchair.

you won’t get a refund on anything holiday related.

it’s possible you will on the car parking but unlikely.

the usual solution if the person in the wheelchair has someone with them is that the able bodied person goes up and drives the car to the pick up zone.

I have hired cars at airports before and assistance will if necessary take you right to the car OR drive the car to you.

scalt · 15/05/2026 09:01

The (likely extortionate) car park fees, perhaps? And absolutely ask for a refund.

PawMaw · 15/05/2026 08:56

Refund of what?

You haven't paid the airport anything so Im not sure what there would be to refund?