THESE are the airport spending mistakes to avoid this summer as Brits jet off on holiday abroad – and one Boots tip to save money.
Millions of Brits will pass through UK airports this summer, but travel experts say the departure lounge is one of the easiest places to overspend before you’ve even boarded your flight.
From exchanging currency to impulse shopping, many airport purchases come with hidden costs that can quickly eat into your holiday budget.
Experts say some of the biggest money mistakes include buying foreign currency at the airport, paying for premium Wi-Fi and assuming duty-free automatically means the best deal.
They warn that convenience often comes at a price, with airport retailers and services frequently charging significantly more than alternatives available before you travel.
But there are ways to beat the system. Planning ahead, comparing prices before you leave home and taking advantage of money-saving hacks such as Boots’ airport Click & Collect service could leave holidaymakers with more cash to spend once they arrive at their destination.
The maths is hard to argue with
Daniel Grimes, Founder at London-based ScentVerdict, said buying perfume in the airport is a big no-no.
He added: “The departure lounge is the worst place on earth to buy perfume, because it is the one place where you are shopping against the clock. The ‘duty-free’ label does the persuading; you have not smelled the thing properly, and your flight is boarding. Decide before you fly, not at the gate. Take Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry as an example.
“It is around £300 at retail for 100ml. Fourteen different UK dupe houses sell their own version of it, and the typical price is about £30 for the same 100ml, roughly a tenth. It will not be identical, and you are not buying Tom Ford. But if what you want is that cherry-and-almond hit rather than the box it comes in, the maths is hard to argue with.”
Alex Tofts, broadband expert at Broadband Genie, said you should never need to pay for Wi-Fi in the airport.
He added: “Before you jet off on holiday, check how much mobile data you have available. Without your home Wi-Fi, you’ll likely be eating into your data allowance quicker than usual. Airport Wi-Fi is usually free, however, sometimes it will be limited to as little as 30 minutes.
“After this, you’ll be paying a premium price for what’s often a sub-par service, not to mention having to provide personal information like your email address. If you’re likely to go over your data allowance, or if your network provider doesn’t include roaming in the country you’re going to, it’s worth getting an eSIM. You can pick these up on short-term deals to cover your data needs when you’re at the airport and for the rest of your holiday.”
Biggest mistakes travellers can make
Prem Raja, Head of Trading Floor at Currencies 4 You, said you should never buy travel money at the airport.
He added: “One of the biggest mistakes travellers can make is buying foreign currency at the airport. Despite increased competition in the market, airport exchange bureaux often still offer some of the least competitive rates available. In some cases, travellers can lose more than 10% through poor exchange rates and hidden margins, significantly reducing the amount of foreign currency they receive.
“It’s worth arranging your currency before you travel by comparing providers or using a reputable currency card, both of which typically offer far better exchange rates and can leave you with considerably more spending money for your trip.”
Jordan Reid, Chartered Financial Planner at Serenity Financial Planning, shared a tip that can save money.
He added: “For all of your required holiday toiletries, Boots’ airport Click & Collect is a brilliant money-saving travel hack. By ordering online and collecting in the airport, you avoid buying items at the airport premium price. It also allows hand-luggage-only travellers to bypass the 100ml liquid limit with full-sized sun creams and toiletries. A word of warning. Boots have a mandatory £4.50 airport collection fee.
“So if you are only picking up a cheap travel deodorant and a mini toothpaste, this fee instantly wipes out your savings, making it cheaper to just buy off the shelf. The rule of thumb is simple: only use it for high-value items. If you are buying premium skincare, baby formula, or a family’s supply of sunscreen, the online discounts easily swallow the fee. But if you just need a couple of basic minis, skip the preorder.”
Photo by Philip Myrtorp on Unsplash.
