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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Floatlikeafeather2 · 11/05/2026 08:50

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 19:59

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

In my head I knew this was Bristol! If you can get in to Temple Meads, there are regular buses to the airport from there. My sister used to do it regularly travelling between Scotland and Wiltshire.

longdowners · 11/05/2026 08:36

I would be very hurt if my close relative asked for more than petrol money for giving a lift. The brother is driving a hybrid so the fuel should not cost much. If I were asked, I would normally drive as a gift for someone close to me as I believe that friends and family should help one another. I guess it is different with young people. I am an older person.

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 11/05/2026 07:08

ThesebeautifulthingsthatIvegot · 11/05/2026 01:36

I disagree. It's incredibly time inefficient and environmentally damaging.

It's double the fuel compared to the next worst option: a taxi (which will drive passengers back from the airport too).

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It’s still a sensible (and normal) way of getting to the airport.

People might prefer to not ask family or friends for a lift but that doesn’t mean it’s not a perfectly normal and sensible thing to do.

And people who are happy to give their friends or family a lift to their airport are usually doing it to help them save money or time. Not to make a profit.

Sgtmajormummy · 11/05/2026 07:07

OP, I saw you did mileage to Bristol Airport.
There’s a lot of construction work going on at Bristol Airport currently. I was there 10 days ago and it’s no longer the sleepy airfield it was 10y ago.

The new bus station is literally steps away from the Departures building. FlixBus and the Shuttle would get you there cheaply.
You also have to pay (£5?) to drop somebody off at the doors by car. It all adds up and they’re out to take your money!

Fullofcorn · 11/05/2026 06:42

You have done the airport lift to loads of family and friends in the past, just ask one of them @alexandrasm ?

Original poster
alexandrasm · 11/05/2026 06:25

ThesebeautifulthingsthatIvegot · 11/05/2026 01:36

I disagree. It's incredibly time inefficient and environmentally damaging.

It's double the fuel compared to the next worst option: a taxi (which will drive passengers back from the airport too).

Show quote history

He has a hybrid. The effect on the environment would be negligible

OP posts:
ThesebeautifulthingsthatIvegot · 11/05/2026 01:36

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 10/05/2026 21:49

Someone giving you a lift to the airport is just as ‘sensible’ as any other form of transport.

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I disagree. It's incredibly time inefficient and environmentally damaging.

It's double the fuel compared to the next worst option: a taxi (which will drive passengers back from the airport too).

Muffinmam · 11/05/2026 00:55

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 19:52

If it’s gonna cost me £115+ I’d rather just get a taxi or the train and wait at the airport for hours 😭

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Then do that. Why did you post this?

GotMarriedInCornwall · 10/05/2026 23:28

I take it you have looked into the Falcon bus OP?
It runs from Plymouth to Bristol airport.

Endorewitch · 10/05/2026 22:03

Your brother is being grabby. He is asking more than a taxi price and he doesnt work on that day anyhow. Just get a taxi.
People are being very judgemental.

He is family. Family give favours within reason.

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 10/05/2026 21:49

ThesebeautifulthingsthatIvegot · 10/05/2026 21:41

So are you.

Saying "he won't lose money because he can take leave/start at a different time" etc. shows that you don't value his leisure time. Maybe he suggested a fee to reflect this.

Anyway, at least all this has motivated you to find a sensible way to the airport, so that's good

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Someone giving you a lift to the airport is just as ‘sensible’ as any other form of transport.

ThesebeautifulthingsthatIvegot · 10/05/2026 21:41

alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 20:56

Yeah which is all fine? I’m allowed to think he’s a bit cheeky

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So are you.

Saying "he won't lose money because he can take leave/start at a different time" etc. shows that you don't value his leisure time. Maybe he suggested a fee to reflect this.

Anyway, at least all this has motivated you to find a sensible way to the airport, so that's good

Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 20:56

FourSevenThree · 10/05/2026 20:54

You came online to call him CF.

Why is your "just asking, don't ask, don't get, he doesn't have to say yes" and his "CF"? He just asked, you know, don't ask, don't get, you doesn't have to say yes...

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Yeah which is all fine? I’m allowed to think he’s a bit cheeky

OP posts:
FourSevenThree · 10/05/2026 20:54

alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 20:47

Please show me where I’m heavily offended?

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You came online to call him CF.

Why is your "just asking, don't ask, don't get, he doesn't have to say yes" and his "CF"? He just asked, you know, don't ask, don't get, you doesn't have to say yes...

Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 20:47

FourSevenThree · 10/05/2026 20:37

It's just funny that you are so offended when he replied in kind.

Surely, if he didn't ask, he wouldn't get paid for chauffeuring you around. What's the difference?

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Please show me where I’m heavily offended?

OP posts:
FourSevenThree · 10/05/2026 20:37

alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 19:04

But it’s the truth, isn’t it? Nobody is obliged to say yes.

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It's just funny that you are so offended when he replied in kind.

Surely, if he didn't ask, he wouldn't get paid for chauffeuring you around. What's the difference?

BuildbyNumbere · 10/05/2026 20:17

alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 19:05

What? You think the middle of the afternoon is stupid o’clock?

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Think this went over your head!

Katyrosebug · 10/05/2026 19:52

I cant believe peoples responses ok this thread! I give lifts to both mh brothers and their respective gf's and the other way around whenever anyone in my family travels. In fact, I think maybe twice have we had to book a taxi as no-one was around or they were all away. That also includes my mum and dad. Fuel is paid for and if we stop for food and drink etc.. its just what family's do

Frazzledfringe · 10/05/2026 19:46

Some sad comments here thinking it’s normal to charge family for a lift. I can understand covering the fuel but it’s crazy thinking it should be anything more. Sad sign of the times, people want a village but don’t want to be a villager themselves. Sorry OP, take a taxi.

daleylama · 10/05/2026 19:43

alexandrasm · 08/05/2026 20:03

Well yeah, I’d say if you’re asked and say yes that’s an offer!

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You know it isn't.

KeyOfTheDoor · 10/05/2026 19:28

alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 19:19

But it’s not a business transaction

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But he's using 4 hours of his time, don't you know!

There are plenty of people on here saying they would happily give 24 hours of their time to help their sibling, and the trolls haven't given them a hard time for daring to take and receive favours from family. They have it in for you in a weirdly personal way. Ignore them and bon voyage!

stargirl27 · 10/05/2026 19:27

Lougle · 10/05/2026 19:11

Even the mileage alone at £0.45 per mile (the allowance HMRC allows for the first 10,000 miles) would be £83.70, and that's not allowing anything for the fact that he's using 4 hours of his time.

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😂😂😂😂😂😂

imagine claiming mileage from your sibling hahahaha

Becs51 · 10/05/2026 19:22

I agree I think your brother is out of order. It’s nice to be nice! Isn’t the world a better place for people being kind and generous and yet we have people on here thinking your brother should charge you the actual cost of fuel, time, wear and tear and depreciation. Jeez.
I will say this is exactly the kind of thing my brother would do.
I on the other hand am the polar opposite and did drive to pick up my cousin to take her to my parents on Thursday. I left at 1.30pm and got home at 7pm. I would never have dreamed of accepting any money or asking for it.
i shall be doing the same in a few weeks when she leaves.
if your brother was on a low income or struggling then I’d see the point but you’ve said that’s not the case so I thinks he’s very unreasonable.

Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 19:19

ChillYoga · 10/05/2026 19:10

have you looked at trains from where you are to Cambridge? Seems a lot of hassle to get lift to airport, the whole airport process, waiting about, then having to find a way from London to Cambridge at the other end, with possibly an overnight stay? Might be 3-4 train changes but a much easier journey possibly depending on where you are? And if you include th wait at airport/security etc are you really saving time?

Thankfully I’ve been moved onto an early flight home, so Stansted isn’t so much of a worry anymore. I’ll have all day to get home

OP posts:
Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 19:19

Lougle · 10/05/2026 19:11

Even the mileage alone at £0.45 per mile (the allowance HMRC allows for the first 10,000 miles) would be £83.70, and that's not allowing anything for the fact that he's using 4 hours of his time.

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But it’s not a business transaction

OP posts: