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

[alexandrasm]

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?! 🙄🙄

You can get the airport flyer from BTM

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.

You dont get out much do you?

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)

Yes, that’s the one that’s £9.50.

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.

Ah, glad you got it sorted.

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

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

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

Tip?

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?

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

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

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.

In general, no, not if there are other options

No idea where you are OP, but clearly somewhere SW based. Have a look at the Falcon coach service if you’re on or near the route - it takes you right to the airport doors and runs all day and all night. We’ve used it loads of times we just get a train or lift to Plymouth or Exeter and catch it from there. It’s reasonably priced and if you’re under 25 (or can pass for it) it’s cheaper too. I prefer knowing it will take me straight to the airport so I don’t have the faff of getting my case around on the train, waiting for another bus etc.

If she could use her posts on here as proof of age she’d easily get half fare.

The irony is strong with this one....

He’s her brother FGS, not some randomer! I would never charge a family member for a lift anywhere. I think the offer to pay for a tank of fuel was more than generous. Who the hell factors in “wear and tear” on their car when giving a sibling a lift somewhere? SMH.

Definitely get a taxi.

If you give your brother any more than petrol money you will invalidate his insurance won't you? Unless he actually works as a taxi driver his insurance policy will specifically exclude driving for profit so if there's an accident during the journey he'll be screwed

Your head is wrong then. You asked and he agreed, he did not make the offer! So tbh you’re the one sounding like a bit of a cf asking him to take several hours out of his day for your convenience.

If that £75 plus £40 covers both ways, it's cheaper. Will he be more useful (eg helping with luggage etc) than a taxi driver?
And will he have to pay stopping/parking charges that a taxi driver wouldn't?
If not, just book the taxi.

I think it’s awful to charge a family member for your time to do an airport run, but your brother would be hard pushed to get a full tank of petrol for £40 at the moment.