Penny pinching at Heathrow

[SLeanne]

We are due to go away soon from Heathrow T4. OH and I like a couple of drinks before the flight (at 9pm). However, I was shocked last time that a glass of wine is over £10 a glass. If we are discreet, could we get away with buying a bottle in Duty Free and drinking it before the flight (and disposing of the empty bottle before boarding). I know it's not allowed but has anyone done it before and got away with it? Quite frankly I'm getting sick of having to spend C 100 quid for something to eat and a couple of drinks each (family of 4) and am looking at ways of cheating the system 🤔

You might be able to but are you actually going to enjoy having a drink you have to conceal under your coat or hiding in a corner? And if you are caught it would be mortifying. You'd look like you have an alcohol problem.

If you want a drink that much just suck it up and pay for one. It's not beating the system to have secret drinks like a teenager in a bus stop.

what will you drink it out of?

Have you factored in school absence fine?!

Are you that desperate for a drink? 😂

We book a lounge. By the time you have factored in unlimited food and drinks, it's not much difference in price - but far nicer and feels more 'worth it'!

Either buy a drink or don't have one?

Was going to suggest this! Go to town on the drinks and food and it'll feel much more worth it!

An empty glass from a bar!

I agree airport prices are extortionate. You can always bring a packed lunch and wait until you get to your destination to drink wine.

Wetherspoons? I don’t think drinks are that expensive there. Better than skulking in a corner with your bottle.

We did this at Luton recently. At Heathrow it is £45 per person and kids pay the same as adults.

A bar won’t give you an empty glass.

If you’re going to do it, take a couple of plastic disposable cups.

A bar isn’t going to give you an empty glass to drink your own? Cmon now. You can bring some paper cups. It’s a bit cringe but, if you fancy it go for it.

Who said I was taking my children out of school in term time?

We always a picnic type bag. If we’re going to be waiting across a meal time at least. I guess it could just be in there?

Who are you flying with? If it’s a long haul flight you’d probably get a few glasses of wine on the flight.

My teenage son is always asking for iced water from a bar and he has never been refused one. Airport bar staff are too busy to care.

Gosh ..can't you manage without a drink before a flight?

Look out for Black Friday deals for lounges to cut the cost, DH and I did it last year and had a full dinner each with drinks and it definitely would have cost more without the lounge! Plus it’s such a lovely atmosphere in there, guaranteed seating and a better view! I think the one we booked was No1 lounge and we got it for around £35 each with the BF deal

Shop around for lounge offers. My credit card gives me plus one free lounge visit and DH has a supplementary card with the same arrangement. No extra fees to get into lounges for a family of 4.

Why pay for a holiday then be too tight to buy drinks. Doesn’t make sense to me