10 charges to avoid at the airport

Sue Hayward,  27 Jul, 2011

Extra costs when you fly can put a dent in your holiday budget. We explain how to avoid them.

Airports are expensive places. First up there’s duty free to tempt you into spending your holiday cash, not to mention plenty of sneaky rip-off charges before you make it to the departure gate. Here are 10 to avoid.

Drop-off fees

Drop passengers outside the terminal and you’ll pay £1 for a 10 minute slot at airports including Luton, Belfast, Bristol and Edinburgh. There’s no charge at Heathrow, Manchester, Stansted or Southampton but there’s no easy way to avoid this at fee charging airports as any free parking, if it exists, may be a considerable distance away.

Trolley charges

Need a trolley to get your bags to check in? You’ll have to stump up £2 at Luton and Bristol and £1 at Stansted and Manchester, and unlike at the supermarket, these charges are non-refundable. Trolleys are free, however, at Heathrow, Edinburgh, Belfast & Southampton. Take cases with wheels so you don’t need a trolley.

Plastic bags

Forgot to pack your toiletries in clear plastic bags before airport security? You’ll need to pay £1 to buy them at Luton, Bristol, Belfast, Manchester and Stansted but you can get them free at Heathrow, Southampton & Edinburgh. Better still, take your own as you can buy packs of 50 resealable bags for around 60p at most supermarkets.

Fast-track fees

The option to jump the queue at security means a £3 fee at Luton and Edinburgh, £3.50 at Manchester (plus a £1.50 booking fee), or £5 at Bristol. Bigger airports like Heathrow don’t do this but have family lanes to help those travelling with children get through quicker. But there’s little risk of missing your flight even if you don’t pay as officials will generally escort you through if you’re late and stuck in a slow queue.

Currency charges

Poor rates and commission charges mean you lose out changing money at the airport. Shop around on the high street for fee-free commission deals from places like M&S, the Post Office or Halifax. Or pre-order currency online for airport collection to bag the best rates.

The cost of smoking

Most airports won’t let you out of the building for a cigarette once you’re airside but Belfast recently introduced an outdoor smoking zone for passengers. The downside? It costs £1 a time.

Snacks & drinks

Buy a Boots ”meal deal” on the high street and it costs £3.29 yet the same deal from Boots at Luton Airport is 50p more at £3.79. Retailers blame high airport rents for the higher prices, so shop around for snacks or fill up before you travel.

Airport development fees

Blackpool hit the headlines charging passengers £10 a time for mandatory contributions to upgrading airport facilities: unless you’re under 16 you can’t avoid this one. There are two machines taking cash or cards and if you don’t pay, you won’t get through security, simple as that.

Speedy boarding

This costs over £10 each way with easyJet but you need to get to the gate early or you may miss your slot. And if there’s a shuttle bus from the terminal to the plane, you may be first on the bus, but if it loads up with other passengers who haven’t paid extra, you still may not be first on the plane. Don’t pay if you’re travelling with children as airlines have a duty to sit kids, (up to around age 12), with one of their parents even if it means moving other passengers.

Cash machine charges

Stock up before the airport or you may be forced to use those stand alone cash machines that charge up to £5 a time. If you run short of cash just pay by card to avoid any fees.

Topics: Travel & holidays Tags: Travel insurance, Get away from it all, Cutting costs Confused Topics Get motoring Property market Deal with debt Plan for the future Smarter spending Get wealthy Travel & holidays Shrink your bills Your consumer rights Compare travel insurance

Whether you’re off on a short-hop city break in the UK or Europe, a relaxing summer holiday in Spain or even a global adventure, Confused.com can find the right travel insurance for you.

Get a Travel Quote

Sue Hayward Sue Hayward is a personal finance broadcaster, journalist and author. Sue talks and writes on money matters including chatting on BBC Radio & TV as well as contributing to magazines, websites and newspapers. Sue's also written two books; the latest of which is 'How To Get The Best Deal'.

Latest articles from this author Five questions to ask before switching energy suppliers How to stop your bank account being raided 5 beaches to visit without a trip to the coast Most popular articles Most comments Most views Most likes Do you have a travel insurance question? See all travel insurance questions Follow us Twitter RSS Facebook About Us Contact Us FAQs Help Press Room Privacy Policy Providers Terms & Conditions Security

© Copyright 2008 - 2011 Confused.com. All rights reserved.

View the Original article