CHICAGO, July 5 — A personal finance expert is warning travelers that a common habit at the airport is costing them money, according to a new analysis of spending patterns. The warning centers on the final stop before boarding: the airport concession stand. The analysis found that travelers routinely overpay for food, drinks, and snacks purchased after clearing security, where prices are often significantly higher than at comparable stores outside the terminal.
“You have to be careful,” the expert said. The mistake, according to the analysis, is failing to plan ahead.
Travelers who arrive at the gate without a packed snack or an empty reusable water bottle are left with few options but to pay premium prices for basic items. A single bottle of water, the analysis noted, can cost several times what it would at a grocery store. A sandwich or a salad purchased at an airport cafe carries a similar markup.
The cumulative effect, the expert said, can add tens of dollars to the cost of a single trip, and hundreds over the course of a year for frequent flyers. The analysis recommended a straightforward fix: pack snacks from home and bring an empty water bottle to fill at a fountain after passing through security.
The Transportation Security Administration permits both items, the expert noted, as long as liquids comply with the 3-1-1 rule. For travelers who do not want to carry food, the analysis suggested checking prices at multiple concession stands before buying. Not all airport vendors charge the same markup, and some locations offer better value than others, the record shows.
The warning comes as summer travel season peaks. With airports crowded and flight delays common, the expert said, the temptation to buy overpriced items at the gate is strong. But the analysis concluded that a small amount of advance preparation can keep money in travelers’ wallets.
