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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:
SnappyNavyWriter · 10/05/2026 18:13

He’s your brother, ffs this is ridiculous! When we were teenagers or in our early 20’s with no money me and my best friend were driving each other to uni or doing airport runs with no cost implications, you do favours ffs. I wouldn’t think twice about doing a 4 hour round trip to help my sister or best friend.

Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 18:07

Flamingojune · 10/05/2026 18:04

Blimey you dont give up do you

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No because I’m a bit sick of people being horridly rude to me and making awful suggestions about my character

OP posts:
KeyOfTheDoor · 10/05/2026 18:06

Flamingojune · 10/05/2026 18:04

Blimey you dont give up do you

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Neither do the few nitpickers.

Flamingojune · 10/05/2026 18:04

alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 18:00

Technically whenever you ask for a lift there’s other options…

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Blimey you dont give up do you

Gwenna · 10/05/2026 18:02

Princessfluffy · 10/05/2026 08:20

So it’s 4 hours of driving for your bro, possibly at an antisocial time of day? That sounds like a big favour. It depends on whether you also do big favours for him really. When my bro takes us to the airport, a 45 min drive, I’d definitely give him a good chunk of cash, probs £80-£100

My brother would see it as a fun road trip 😎

Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 18:00

Mclaren10 · 10/05/2026 17:59

A 4 hour lift when there's other options...

Just get the bus.

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Technically whenever you ask for a lift there’s other options…

OP posts:
Mclaren10 · 10/05/2026 17:59

alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 17:52

I’m really confused what you’re on about now.

I asked for a lift in the middle of the day. I don’t think that’s too unreasonable

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A 4 hour lift when there's other options...

Just get the bus.

Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 17:58

MumsTheWordYouKnow · 10/05/2026 17:55

As I say I’ve always made my own way. I’m quite independent though. If family are visiting I’d of course drive them in that situation.

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I don’t think there’s any need to be snarky - I’ve flown from all over the country alone, and made my own way there. It’s rare that I fly from Bristol so I thought that’s why I’d ask.

OP posts:
Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 17:57

KeyOfTheDoor · 10/05/2026 17:55

Crikey, you'd have a negotiate a reasonable day rate for that or he'll bankrupt you.

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🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I’m just giggling at the thought of asking for a lift from London

OP posts:
KeyOfTheDoor · 10/05/2026 17:55

alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 17:47

Gonna ask him to come to Italy 🤪

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Crikey, you'd have a negotiate a reasonable day rate for that or he'll bankrupt you.

MumsTheWordYouKnow · 10/05/2026 17:55

alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 17:52

I’m really confused what you’re on about now.

I asked for a lift in the middle of the day. I don’t think that’s too unreasonable

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As I say I’ve always made my own way. I’m quite independent though. If family are visiting I’d of course drive them in that situation.

HRTQueen · 10/05/2026 17:52

I would have assumed he was joking

I woudl have offered some thing to eat too

we often pick family up/drop them off they do the same for me and none of us expect payment (or petrol costs)

are you English op ? This is such an English thing to expect

Gwenna · 10/05/2026 17:52

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?!

You’re already being generous re fuel and now he wants wages? He’s your brother! YANBU!

Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 17:52

MumsTheWordYouKnow · 10/05/2026 17:51

I’d never expect that. Maybe it’s me. I’d rather make my own way somewhere.

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I’m really confused what you’re on about now.

I asked for a lift in the middle of the day. I don’t think that’s too unreasonable

OP posts:
MumsTheWordYouKnow · 10/05/2026 17:51

alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 17:47

It’s not stupid o clock?

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I’d never expect that. Maybe it’s me. I’d rather make my own way somewhere.

Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 17:47

MumsTheWordYouKnow · 10/05/2026 17:47

Personally I think people should manage their own way. Why do they need to rely on friends and family at stupid o’clock unless they’re teens early 20s? Bit weird.

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It’s not stupid o clock?

OP posts:
Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 17:47

KeyOfTheDoor · 10/05/2026 17:31

Have you thought about asking if a friend or family member could give you a lift maybe? 😉

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Gonna ask him to come to Italy 🤪

OP posts:
MumsTheWordYouKnow · 10/05/2026 17:47

blackcatlove · 10/05/2026 17:32

Blimey some of these posts. I’Ve happily given friends lifts to the airport, collected them at ridiculous times too. Isn’t that what friends are for?
My mate is dropping us off to Heathrow a couple of hours away and picking us up. I’m having to force him into taking petrol.

Your brother is nuts asking for that much!

Personally I think people should manage their own way. Why do they need to rely on friends and family at stupid o’clock unless they’re teens early 20s? Bit weird.

Original poster
alexandrasm · 10/05/2026 17:46

igelkott2026 · 10/05/2026 17:32

I understand the airport hotel but why do you need to change the AirBnB? Aren't you just arriving earlier in the day?

No, it’s my flight home. They moved me from 1pm to 7am - and I’m not fart arsing a round with a transfer or train at 3am, I’d rather be at the airport

OP posts:
MumsTheWordYouKnow · 10/05/2026 17:45

Get the taxi. What a twat.

Magrathea56 · 10/05/2026 17:41

Standard mileage rate is 45p/mile (from HMRC) so I'm guessing if it's a two hour trip it must be 100 miles or so which would be just over the £40 you offered. But asking for £75 'for his time' isn't very brotherly!!!!

eveningprimrose74 · 10/05/2026 17:40

Sounding like your brother doesn't have much money and is trying it on. Zero hour contracts. If you can get the train.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 10/05/2026 17:40

TomatoSandwiches · 08/05/2026 20:00

If you've given him plenty of lifts over the years without payment and this is the first time you've asked for a lift then he's pretty awful.

THIS... 100 per cent.

Get a taxi OP (Its cheaper in real terms than the cost of dealing with this aggro) and stop doing favours for someone who won't reciprocate .

Usernamenotav · 10/05/2026 17:36

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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Ay? That's not an offer!

igelkott2026 · 10/05/2026 17:32

I understand the airport hotel but why do you need to change the AirBnB? Aren't you just arriving earlier in the day?