10 things airport passengers should stop wasting money on, according to a former flight attendant

Airports can be expensive places to waste time in.

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• I worked as a flight attendant for two years and picked up tips for saving money while traveling.
• Don’t waste your money on food and water at the airport or the overpriced snacks on the plane.
• You’ll save more if you stick with the same airline and buy flights in the middle of the week.

When I joined the airline industry as a flight attendant, I thought we’d learn all the secrets for getting the cheapest tickets. But I had to pick them up myself or through my colleagues.

Here are some of the best tips I’ve learned for saving money while flying:

If you fly business class, you can usually save by waiting to upgrade at the airport

It might sound strange, but I always advise people to buy an economy ticket at home and upgrade it at the airport.

Opting for an upgrade will drastically reduce the price of the ticket.

As soon as you purchase your economy seat, you may start receiving email deals to upgrade your ticket, but don’t rush. Wait until you get to the airport and ask for an upgrade at the counter or the gate.

Sometimes, if the plane is empty, or you have a loyalty program with the airline, the gate agent can upgrade you to business class at no additional cost. But even if you have to pay, it’s going to be much cheaper than buying online.

Just be extremely nice to the staff, and arrive early so business seats are still available. But don’t wait until you get on the plane — flight attendants don’t usually have that much power.

Never waste money on bottled water at the airport

Inside John F. Kennedy International Airport.

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Plane travel is expensive. You already paid for the ticket, taxi, and luggage, so don’t waste your money on overpriced airport water.

You can’t take liquids through security, but no one says you can’t take an empty bottle.

Most airports are full of water fountains, and many have a special pump to refill bottles quickly.

To keep your bottle full during the flight, just ask your flight attendant for a refill. If you’re lucky, they may even put ice in it.

The same rule applies to airport food

For some reason, people have a fear of bringing food through the Transportation Security Administration security. But it’s a great way to save money, as long as it’s solid, like a sandwich.

There are even restaurants and shops before security that advertise TSA-approved foods.

If you’re flying internationally, it’s best to finish any food from your first destination before landing because some countries don’t allow fresh foods through customs.

Freeze your liquids to avoid checking a bag

If you have an important liquid that’s over 3 ounces, but you don’t want to pay to check a bag, it’s worth trying to freeze it so it goes through the security scanner as a solid.

Even if it melts a little bit on the ride to the airport, it shouldn’t be a problem if it’s stored properly.

You can find better deals online than at the duty-free shop

You can find better deals online than at duty-free shops.

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Duty-free shops always attract passengers at the airport, but the savings aren’t as good as they seem. Some airlines also have duty-free catalogs on board so you can shop in the skies. But those prices are even worse.

You can find much better deals online if you take the time to look.

Some days have cheaper tickets than others

There is no perfect recipe for booking the cheapest flight. But there are some tips that can help you stick to your budget.

The best days to buy tickets are Tuesday and Wednesday because prices tend to drop after and before the weekend.

If you have some flexibility, it’s also better to check out different dates on the calendar instead of looking for a specific day to fly.

Onboard purchases are overpriced

Eat before you get on the plane, or bring your own food.

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Many onboard rules have changed amid the coronavirus pandemic, including some airlines suspending hot food during flights.

Try to bring some food from home or the hotel before boarding. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy onboard snacks, which are too small to be considered a meal and extremely overpriced.

Parking adds up, especially if you’re away on a longer trip

If you live far from the airport and have a lot of luggage, driving yourself may seem like the easiest option. But some people don’t realize how expensive parking can be.

In New York City, airport parking can be as high as $70 a day. If you go on vacation for a week, that adds up.

Reaching out to family or friends for a ride is obviously the cheapest option, but a taxi is usually still cheaper than paying for parking depending on the length of your trip.

If you can spare the time, another good option is booking cheaper parking near the airport and taking a shuttle to the terminal.

It’s almost never worth it to exchange money at the airport

It’s usually cheapest to exchange your money at a bank.

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Too often, people land at an international airport and realize they don’t have the right currency. But the airport is the worst place to exchange your money if you want a good rate.

Most banks or shopping malls have currency exchanges with steadier rates if you remember before your flight. And if you forget, just get enough money for a taxi into the city and go to a local bank.

It pays to stay loyal to one airline

It’s always a better idea to stick with one airline or group of airlines and open a bonus card with them.

In addition to collecting miles you can use on a later flight, you can also get free checked bags, upgrades, and access to lounges with free food and drinks.

This story was originally published in March 2022 and most recently updated on August 15, 2024.