Travel expert reveals four ways to get freebies at the airport - and they're so easy
Travel expert Carmen Roberts has shared her top four tips for getting the most for your money at the airport, including some things you can get for free
Traveling by plane can be a costly affair. Not only do you have to consider how pricey flights can be unless you've got a good package deal or used some air miles, but simply getting to the airport itself can be costly if you have to pay for an Uber or use your own vehicle and pay for gas. Then, once you're at the airport, you've got the price of food and last-minute shopping needs to consider.
But what if there was a way to save on some of the most common airport purchases? A travel expert has revealed her secret to scoring freebies at airports, claiming you could save big bucks simply by following a few sage pieces of travel advice.
Carmen Roberts, a seasoned travel journalist and business owner who has explored over 85 countries, shared a TikTok video detailing how she saves money and adds a touch of luxury to her airport experience without spending a dime.
1. Free water
Staying hydrated before and during a flight is crucial, and one of the easiest items to score for free at an airport is water. Carmen recommends bringing a reusable water bottle to the airport, as many establishments will fill it up with hot or cold water at no charge.
Plus, there are usually water fountains scattered around where you can refill your bottle yourself.
But it's not just regular drinking water you can get for free. Many cafes and airport lounges don't charge for cups of hot water, so if you bring your own tea bags, instant coffee, or even hot chocolate sachets, you can make yourself a delicious brew without having to spend the outrageous coffee shop prices.
Carmen said: "Hot water is usually free at cafés and airport lounges. Bring your own teabags or even instant coffee and enjoy a cuppa without the $4+ markup."
2. Free samples
For those wanting a quick refresh, airport beauty counters could be your savior. Carmen stated if you "ask nicely", many of these counters are willing to hand over free samples of things like moisturizer, perfume, or serum.
This means you can refresh your skin or make sure you have a fresh spritz of perfume without breaking the bank or having to carry around a larger product that you don't really want.
Carmen said: "Airport beauty counters = free samples. Ask nicely to test a moisturizer, perfume, or serum. It's like a mini spa moment while you wait."
3. Charging ports
Carmen also claimed you can often charge your phone for free at an airport if you know where to look. The expert said airports tend to have charging ports near TV screens and vending machines, or in places where they don't expect crowds.
Finding one of these ports means you can give your phone some extra juice if it's running low, which can be a lifesaver for when you reach your destination and need to call someone to pick you up.
Bonus tip
As a final tip, Carmen shared a key piece of advice that could help you save money even though it's not entirely free. She said if you need toiletries or cosmetics from somewhere like Boots, you can often order them ahead of time and pick them up when you get to the airport.
Sometimes, these pharmacies will charge you regular market prices for these items when you buy them online, so you can save yourself some money by not paying inflated airport prices - even though you're collecting from an airport store.
Carmen said she's had success doing this with Boots in the UK, and Walgreens in the US.