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 🤔

Before I quit flying, I used to take huge baguettes, and drinks
can’t see a reason why you can’t take drinks
as long as it’s before check in
if post that paper cups and and buy a screw top

OP my dad always buys a drink then tops it up with a cheap bottle he’s bought. That way you solve the glass issue! Also ignore the posts about school fines and not needing a drink. Nothing wrong with a drink before your holiday and nothing wrong with getting around their extortionate prices!

You can’t sneak a bottle of wine into an airport - you can’t take liquids more than 100ml through security

Get a meal deal from Boots. Afterwards go & sit in a bar and have your £10 glass of wine. That way you won't have to spend £100 for a family of four & still get your booze. Win. Win.

Wow people on here are so privileged and judgemental. People saying ‘if you can afford a holiday, why are you being tight not buying alcohol?’

Maybe, just maybe the OP had to scrimp and save for this holiday and can’t afford any extra luxuries! If you can’t say anything nice 🤫

Stage one master of wine qualifications are around £5500 making £10 on a glass a pretty cheap wine.

Maybe read the thread. OP is mortgage free.

Another vote for lounges. So many ways to get discounts on lounges. No one pays the full £45. There is always a discount voucher if you hunt online. Even some online travel agents include lounges with 4* holidays and above. Credit card and bank accounts often give you a few free visits - hence why they are jam packed now. It's to easy to spend £30 on a meal and 2 drinks at an airport without even trying. Same as any gastro pub in a major city. Even if you have to pay £45 - you can easily 'beat the system' and have a stress free, start fun to a holiday. Especially if you load up in lounge to avoid paying for food and drink on planes which is even more ridiculous!

Promoting drink driving, nice

Bring mortgage free doesn’t mean you’re well off 🙈🙈 My house is mortgage free but I’m still living pay check to pay check and can’t afford a holiday

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

that is bloody extortionate for being in a lounge. What the hell do you get when you're there?

OP - I'm with you on this - do it- bring the wine and glasses as required. Fuck 'em.

And lots of fucks to all the snotty mumsnetters who feel obliged to tell you off and call you an alcoholic...

The lounges are a great option for unlimited food and drink.
Im sure you’re aware but don’t do it on the flight, you could get off loaded

Many of the airlines are trying to discourage people from drinking a lot before flying. This behaviour would not do you any favours.

So you're not short of a few quid you're just being tight! 🙄🤣

Well if you’re going away at Xmas I admire the advanced planning.

Totally possible. I put some wine in a disposable coffee cup and have also taken an empty water bottle to fill. 😬

Can someone explain to me this ardent need people have to drink before flying abroad?
I just don't get it.

In case this is not a bit of disingenuous Mumsnet nice-lady virtue signalling - same as smoking, coffee and cocaine! If you use these substances they make you feel better!

Seems like a lot of hassle, planning and risk of embarrassment just because you don’t want to spend a few extra ££ in the bar.

I get being annoyed by the prices, but if you’re that desperate for an airport drink, just suck it up and pay the prices (factor it into the cost of the holiday if it’s something that you can’t forego. If you’re not that desperate, just wait until you get to your destination.

It is quite normal to pay £9 or £10 for a glass of wine at a bar or restaurant anywhere in the country, and Airport Wetherspoons prices are about 3 times the prices in a normal Wetherspoons. Save by buying yourself a meal deal to eat, and pay for a nice glass of wine!

I haven't read the full thread but if you were flying BA (presume not as its T4) after buying your ticket you sometimes get an offer to upgrade your flight to Club Europe quite cheaply (last time about 40 quid extra from LHR to Bari) for which you get a separate check in and security channel, lounge access with free food and alcohol -- not sure if that includes champagne, plus drinks and snack or meal on the flight. Worth it for me for less hassle, a quiet, comfortable lounge and unlimited food and drink.
Last time we did Dame Helen Mirren came into the T5 lounge with her DH and sat alongside my DH, who was oblivious although he did clock her amazing, beautiful, sandals. They were on our flight too, I think she has a house in Puglia.

What a pathetic post.

I think airports and airlines want to discourage passengers from necking a bottle before a flight

Hence the unreasonable prices

Star b 1 was merely enquiring whether your sneaked alcohol would be nicely chilled to your taste if buying a bottle of whatever from duty free. Many people like all types of wine to be chiiled so your response did sound very rude

Book one of the airport lounges as food and drink included. Usually plenty of comfortable seating plus showers and toilets. Will probably cost roughly the same as the bun fight on the main concourse.