Tourists spend far more than they should at airports through subtle surcharges

As summer approaches, the excitement of an upcoming vacation can easily overshadow the stressors about saving money, especially when the most expensive things like flights and hotels have already been booked. However, Brits could be unknowingly paying off their holiday funds before they even leave home, as some simple errors at the airport could result in some subtle overcharges.

Consumer rights expert Martyn James detailed with The Mirror some “extremely expensive” airport fees that travelers could drastically reduce or skip with some strategic planning before packing.

Parking fees

It’s no secret that airport parking fees can be shockingly high, but those who need to leave their car at the airport could benefit from some pre-trip research before booking tickets. Martyn advised: “It might be cheaper to fly from an airport that is further away if the fares are lower.

“Using the big parking companies nearby won’t save you a huge amount of money, unfortunately. But don’t be tempted to use the ‘meet and greet’ parking options without doing your research. Meet and greet is where you drop off and pick up the vehicle with a company that then stores it away from the airport at a more affordable price.”

He also warned travelers about “rogue operators” in this arena, with stories of tourists returning to find extra mileage on their odometer, damage to their vehicles or items missing from inside the car. For those lucky enough to be dropped off at the airport, Martyn advised checking drop-off costs at various car parks via the Civil Aviation Authority website.

Airport items

Some of Martyn’s recommended items for airport travelers included disposable entertainment for their children, such as coloring books or magazines, to avoid being burdened or distracted by expensive duty-free alternatives.

He also noted: “By far the most important thing to take to the airport is a phone or gadget charger… Most airports have charging stations these days, but there can be a high demand for them. Remember to check with the airline what batteries are allowed (the same goes for e-cigarettes). They may not be allowed in checked baggage.”

Shops and restaurants

After security, travelers are a “captive audience” for airport spending opportunities with plenty of time to spare, but Martyn revealed there are some massive money-saving items to buy here before boarding the plane, while others will simply do them. leave a hole in your pocket while retailers “exploit their airport concessions”.

He recommended grabbing some snacks and water before heading to the runway as it “will save you a fortune on the plane”, but cautioned: “Be skeptical when flying through the duty-free shop. While you might get a cheaper bottle of vodka for the holidays, things like perfume and aftershave aren’t actually much cheaper than they are when you shop online.”

Currency

Doubling down on the advice that Martin Lewis has consistently recommended, Martyn said: “Never, ever buy or sell currency at the airport. The fares are always the worst and the fees can be amazing too.”

When it comes to deciding between cash or card to spend abroad, the expert revealed that he personally takes 20% of his budget in cash and puts the rest of his spending on cards. He recommended, “If you’re relying on plastic, do your research beforehand. Some digital banks do not charge fees or interest on payments made with their cards.”