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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not want to pay above a full tank of petrol for a lift to the airport?

541 replies

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 19:45

I fly from my “local” (2 hours away!) airport at the end of summer. My flight is in the early evening and I have an appointment in the morning.

My brother offered to give me a lift, it won’t affect his work as he’s on 0 hours and can just request a late start/no hours on that day (he usually doesn’t work on a Friday anyway).

I said yes please, and said I’d be happy to cover a tank of fuel as it would probably use about that to get there and back, and have some left over. (So I’m thinking about £40, he has a hybrid so it doesn’t use a ton of fuel).

He’s now said £40 plus £75 on top for “his time”

AIBU to think sod it, I’d rather just pay a taxi (about £100 according to local Facebook groups) because he’s being a CF?!

OP posts:
Krevlornswath · 08/05/2026 23:00

Bit opportunist isn't it - I'd be disappointed. I wouldn't dream of charging for my time for a family member for a one off favour. Is that right that he has initiated the offer, you accepted and he has then added charges? Odd if so.

I'd just get there another way.

Laura95167 · 08/05/2026 23:00

I think a full tank is generous. I think hed use more like half, but that a tank is a reasonable offer because its a 4hr trip for him.

I even think its reasonable if you gave him some extra as a thank you or bought him dinner at some point soon as a think you or something.

I think hes a CF to offer the lift, get more than compensated for out of pocket expenses and ask for £75 more after its agreed.

Id get the taxi to save the hassle

FernsInValley · 08/05/2026 22:50

Just call a cab and leave your friends and family alone.

Allisnotlost1 · 08/05/2026 22:46

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 20:50

That’s back - but apparently it’s not Cambridge. It’s London Stansted and it looks like it’s in the middle of bastard nowhere 😂

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Stansted is also really easy on the train. You walk through the airport straight to the station and can get a train to Kings Cross in about an hour-ish. Do you actually live in Bristol/SW?

Original poster
alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 22:42

Advocodo · 08/05/2026 22:42

Can you not pay him what a taxi with a tip would cost you assuming it’s more than the cost of petrol.

Tip?

OP posts:
Advocodo · 08/05/2026 22:42

Can you not pay him what a taxi with a tip would cost you assuming it’s more than the cost of petrol.

Original poster
alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 22:40

BrendaSmall · 08/05/2026 22:37

we prefer Exeter and it’s a lot closer to us, unfortunately no flights to the places we like to go to

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Good if you’re after a once weekly flight to faro though 😩 it’s a nightmare

OP posts:
BrendaSmall · 08/05/2026 22:37

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 22:29

Bloody airport.

I know they’ve put in a good few random 50 zones around it on 70 stretches, the bloody thing. I’m terrified it’ll go the way of Exeter though, but it’s a shame it’s so much more expensive to fly out of than London.

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we prefer Exeter and it’s a lot closer to us, unfortunately no flights to the places we like to go to

WallaceinAnderland · 08/05/2026 22:30

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 22:28

Yes, that’s the one that’s £9.50.

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Ah, glad you got it sorted.

Original poster
alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 22:29

BrendaSmall · 08/05/2026 22:23

It takes us around that time too, to get to Bristol Airport!

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Bloody airport.

I know they’ve put in a good few random 50 zones around it on 70 stretches, the bloody thing. I’m terrified it’ll go the way of Exeter though, but it’s a shame it’s so much more expensive to fly out of than London.

OP posts:
Original poster
alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 22:28

WallaceinAnderland · 08/05/2026 22:24

You can get the airport flyer from BTM

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Yes, that’s the one that’s £9.50.

OP posts:
MrsJeanLuc · 08/05/2026 22:27

PicaK · 08/05/2026 19:53

But you've only offered to pay for petrol - not wear and tear on the car. And he has to drive home too.
So 4 hours - c240 miles. 40p a mile is £96.
I think expecting anyone to give you 4h of their time for nothing is CF territory tbh.

Wow, do you average 60mph on a long trip? How many speeding tickets do you have???

And 40p a mile is ridiculous; op isn't looking to contribute to the capital costs of running his car (depreciation). Petrol costs for a 4 hour round trip should be around £30 (less for a hybrid)

PyongyangKipperbang · 08/05/2026 22:25

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 22:15

I’m going to guess you still live at home with your parents @alexandrasm

You dont get out much do you?

grlwhowrites · 08/05/2026 22:25

I would NEVER charge a sibling “for my time” or for “wear and tear on my vehicle”. That sounds so cold, grabby, transactional and just bizarre.

If I felt like a relative was trying to rinse me for cash, it would just put me off and really lower my opinion of them. I never expect favours off family but when they come around, it’s lovely and heartwarming - and any favours are reciprocated when they need help. In my experience, it always comes back around. I’d never think to charge a family member for my time when doing them a favour! Like you, I’d definitely pay for their petrol and stop off for food and I’d buy theirs to show my appreciation but it’s wild to me he’s expecting a profit off his sibling?!

Definitely get a taxi, and tell him why too. You don’t have to be confrontational but if it’s literally cheaper to get a taxi, then why on earth would you pay more to go with him? Profiting off family just seems tacky.

WallaceinAnderland · 08/05/2026 22:24

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 22:10

Bargain, the bus is £9.50!

I still find it so crazy how bad public transport is when you leave the major cities. Imagine a London airport without a dedicated train station, or Manchester or Birmingham airport without one. But down here we just get scraps!

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You can get the airport flyer from BTM

Notasbigasithink · 08/05/2026 22:23

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 19:45

I fly from my “local” (2 hours away!) airport at the end of summer. My flight is in the early evening and I have an appointment in the morning.

My brother offered to give me a lift, it won’t affect his work as he’s on 0 hours and can just request a late start/no hours on that day (he usually doesn’t work on a Friday anyway).

I said yes please, and said I’d be happy to cover a tank of fuel as it would probably use about that to get there and back, and have some left over. (So I’m thinking about £40, he has a hybrid so it doesn’t use a ton of fuel).

He’s now said £40 plus £75 on top for “his time”

AIBU to think sod it, I’d rather just pay a taxi (about £100 according to local Facebook groups) because he’s being a CF?!

Fuck me, really?! Whatever happened to helping out a family member or friend ffs?!
Obviously you dont want to see him out of pocket so yes, definitely cover his costs but if he can't give 4hrs of his time to help and immediate family member out.. . ?!
Whatever next, charging an hourly rate next time you speak to him and ask for advice or charging your mum for helping her with the shopping?! 🙄🙄

BrendaSmall · 08/05/2026 22:23

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 19:59

It’s only 93 miles too, I’d love to know why it takes so bloody long!

It takes us around that time too, to get to Bristol Airport!

Original poster
alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 22:20

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 22:12

How long will it take? Will you have to travel to pick it up?

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Fucking do one at this point, I was talking about the bus from Bristol temple meads to the airport. Genuinely just drop it.

OP posts:
Original poster
alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 22:19

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 22:15

I’m going to guess you still live at home with your parents @alexandrasm

Nope, I live alone. Are you going to leave me alone now, or keep going all night?

OP posts:
bittertwisted · 08/05/2026 22:19

2 hours is very far. I live within 45 minutes of 2 airports, both would cost me £70 taxi

Yetone · 08/05/2026 22:16

I would just never ask family or friends (except my husband) to do this. I would either get a taxi or, if I couldn’t afford one, a coach/bus. I am an adult and I just don’t like to inconvenience other people or be dependent on them. I also wouldn’t like to be inconvenienced by having to repay a favour. A few months ago my sister asked if she could stay with me as she was getting a flight from the airport that was close to me. This was fine. I enjoyed seeing her and made her a nice meal the night before but I was not getting up at 4:00am to take her to the airport. I gave her the number of the local taxi company which was what she expected.

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 22:15

I’m going to guess you still live at home with your parents @alexandrasm

FourSevenThree · 08/05/2026 22:14

Your attitude has weird, cheeky fuckery vibes.

From the first post "he has 0 hours contract, and he can request late start/not working on the day" as if the fact he can skip earning on his work day to drive you is a positive.
Yes, I know that later you added he can get annual leave, but still, the attitude "he can drive me instead of going to work and get paid" together with "I am asking because it might advantage me from money and time perspective " sounds soo CF.

The "I asked, he said yes, so in my eyes he offered" is soo entitled.

Yes, favours are part of the life, but asking somone to skip earning for essentiallya full day so you can get to the airport cheaply when you are fully aware of the alternatives including your hypothetical super cheap taxi... why would you do that?

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 22:12

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 22:10

Bargain, the bus is £9.50!

I still find it so crazy how bad public transport is when you leave the major cities. Imagine a London airport without a dedicated train station, or Manchester or Birmingham airport without one. But down here we just get scraps!

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How long will it take? Will you have to travel to pick it up?

Waitingatlidl · 08/05/2026 22:11

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