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 🤔

It's not something I would do personally as I can't imagine sitting in a bar looking over my shoulder sneaking wine into a glass especially in an airport with tight security it doesn't seem like a relaxing way to start a holiday and I wouldn't of thought duty free wine would of been much cheaper

If I want a glass of wine before a flight I just pay the price in the bar or don't bother

I think it’s more that having a glass of wine in the airport is celebrating getting through security in time and being able to put your feet up and relax a bit before the flight, surely something you can’t really do if you’re furtively looking around to see if you’re caught with your plastic cup?

I love a bargain but I’d much rather pay a little extra and find a seat in the bar overlooking the runway to drink it from a clean glass, watch the planes and not worry about hiding it!

Just do it. I just see it differently. I love a wine and a tiny tube of Pringles on a flight. I know it's a ripp off, but I just don't care. I see it as part of my holiday. I enjoy it, despite the price.

We just fly business. Cuts out all this nonsense in the airport.

Honestly, the small price difference between a bottle of wine in the duty free shop and a bottle of wine in the wetherspoons at the airport is worth it to get a proper glass and be able to enjoy your drink without being furtive and feeling on edge about getting caught.

Alternatively use your bargain hunting skills to get cheap lounge passes so you can have as much food and drink as you like.

Yeah, I seriously would. Anyone acting that dodgy in an airport should be reported tbh

@Mosalahiwoukd

A lot of what goes on is national/airport rules..

I have been though duty frees where your purchases are kept and handed back to you as you board the plane.

Sometimes happens/did happen at US airports…AFAIK not routinely done ex UK.

Have also been checked at customs for the amount of alcohol being purchased being within an allowance- it does happen

Outbound or Inbound and where?

I wouldn’t expect to be routinely checked by UK border officials at somewhere like Heathrow when going outbound…

Inbound is of course a completely different matter.

Great penny pinching tip 😂

Who was looking for serious tips? Over a glass of wine?! My tip is to avoid folk who buy duty free and knock it back in the terminal in a plastic cup.

Ditto.
I'd hate to be on a flight with such selfish individuals.

Because when you purchase you have to have your boarding pass

I’d really be interested in knowing which airports these “at gate” searches specifically for duty free on departure are actually happening.

In the context of the thread and as info for the OP I have never seen such performed in on any of my possibly > 1000 departures from Heathrow as either a passenger or an employee, but I haven’t been through there recently.

I have seen secondary searches done at the gate for other reasons.

As for the boarding card carrying a record of duty free purchase that can be read by the gate staff…I’ve never heard that come up is discussion in those that work in that role, but I guess it might be a possibility.

Where are you going on holiday anyway op? Anywhere with nice wine? 🍷

Is now the time to tell you that I've been many times to my mums apartment in Alvor Portugal and the wine shop there sells all it's Portuguese wines for €1.80

I don't like beer!
Neither do I, I have a pint of cider

I also like avoiding pre loaded passengers on aircraft too. Of course a civilized drink if you have time is lovely but all this furtive guzzling is unpleasant and definitely the heavy drinkers on planes are unpleasant too.

Just been to Heathrow (t3 not t4) and managed to get a meal each plus a beer him and aperol spritz (me) for under £45 including tip. Choose outlet wisely.

They had bottles of wine for £24 too

There's a Wetherspoons btw!

Because having a drink at the airport is to celebrate that you’ve managed to leave the house, get all the suitcases in the car, got to the airport and parked up, and got through security on time-then you can relax with a glass of wine knowing that your holiday has started.

Not pulling over at the side of the motorway for a quick swig of wine and a stale sandwich before you’ve even got to the car park 😕

Ridiculous 😂

Enjoy your holiday @mitogoshigg !

I fear even that modest expenditure would exceed OPs low bar as she complains about a meal for 4 including drinks costing £100, which is a fairly modest ( these days) £25 each.

Maybe the solution is for OP and her family to try and get inebriated on the free alcohol samples they sometimes hand out at duty free. Perhaps some fake moustaches and funny sunglasses for disguise and they could run the gauntlet more than once.

Hi OP

I get it. I take snacks and drinks everywhere. Even ice in a Flask if need be. I earn well but can't stand rip offs.

Airport pub isn't where I would say had an ambience worth £10!. I also get having an airport drink. I don't do it every time ( eg early am or if a rush) but its a start to the relaxing!

Anyway having said all this I would check out wetherspoons prices. But if you want to DiY then take your own cup.

Totally agree!

a few years ago we went on our last family holiday together with our children(both over 18) it was 5am by the time we got to security and wee vodka and coke went down a treat. Once I’m through security I’m on holiday.

I’d just book a daytime flight. No wee anything required.

Are you that desperate for alcohol. It should be banned in all airports. No need for it, causes problems far too many times

Are you that desperate? Just see it as the first day of your holiday, have just the one drink each and enjoy it.
I wouldn't want to be sitting next to you if you've necked a bottle of wine immediately before boarding!