I'm not a fan of government intervention, but when the government won't allow liquids over 3 oz., they should also put a limit on the price gouging at airports. I've watched the price of bottled water steadily rise over the years. I picked up the smallest bottle they had at a little kiosk, and it rang up $6.89. Wtf. I usually bring a bottle to refill, but forgot. Holy smokes tho, may as well just drink beer at $9.

It costs a lot to have a snack bar at the airport. Rent is high, costs are going up and Sylvester needs his taste.

I'm sure it is. I'd love to see those margins tho.

$9 beers!?! Hell yeah!

Disclaimer: "Prices vary by location"

Even though i'm using other people's money when I'm traveling, i get a little disgusted at airport prices. San Fran I'd the worst that I see. At the fast casual Mexican place at SFO they charge $23 for chips/guac/salsa. Grilled cheese is $18. That's before the 10% sales tax and 5% "workers benefits" tax. They then have the nerve to turn the square reader around and start their tip amounts at 18% lol.

Most airports have places to fill bottles. I travel with a tumbler in my backpack these days

Even more justification for the fee on my chase club visa.

We were at a smaller airport recently with no club.. wife and I split food and a beer each, kids got kids meals and juice. It was pushing $100 after tip.

So, 2 round trips with the family pretty much covers the ~$500/yr fee. Sometimes we eat before take off and after landing, so that would recoup that fee in nearly one trip.

I'm getting close to pre-Covid traveling again, so I've been debating getting the club card. Even if I traveled once a month, I think it would still be worth it.

rebelag62 said:

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I'm getting close to pre-Covid traveling again, so I've been debating getting the club card. Even if I traveled once a month, I think it would still be worth it.

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once a month? $525/24 legs is only $20 a leg on food/drink to recoup the fee.

That seems exceptionally easy for nearly any traveler imo. You can't hardly get any food/drink for $20 at an airport.

Plus it's 90k sign up, 2 free bags, $75 of IHG hotel a year plus platinum status, tsa precheck/GE reimbursement.

I already have the quest card, so I won't get the sign up bonus. But when you break it down like that, sheesh, I should've gotten it years ago.

I'd agree except there's free water (ostensibly filtered) available. Fill up an empty nalgene you can bring through security.

I think the premise was that he left his water bottle at home (accidentally).

During the scamdemic, most airports had all their water fountains closed. But these days, just about everybody has water bottle fill stations available.

No telling what kind of diseases are on those water filling stations in Airports.

rebelag62 said:

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I already have the quest card, so I won't get the sign up bonus. But when you break it down like that, sheesh, I should've gotten it years ago.

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Bonus eligibility is card specific and you can absolutely get a bonus for each different card.

I've gotten a bonus for the explorer card (twice), the quest card, and the club card all within the last 2-3 years. I now permanently keep the club card, but churn the explorer every 2 years when it's $0 for first year.

If you do use my referral!

https://www.referyourchasecard.com/215n/NHFDJIF3RE

Good to know. I messed up last time around and just had them upgrade my card, no points. I'll def use your referral if I go that route.

Every airport has filtered water refill stations. Just bring a empty bottle It's not a big deal anymore.

Beer is another story. $17 on average for a pint of beer in the states. I wish we were more like Europe where beer isn't a luxery item. Every airport in Europe I never paid more then $8/9 euro for a beer. In Germany the Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Munich, and Stuggart airports which all I have passed through are only 4-5 Euro.

Was this at IAH? Go to a cheap restaurant like a Dunkin Donuts, Einstein Bagels, etc. They have regular non-premium water for half the cost.

Pro tip
Take a plastic, yes lovely plastic water bottle from home and drink it on your way. It's empty so it goes through security you can refill it as needed depending on flights that day. Fits easier in the backpack side holders and doesn't weigh a ton like those huge metal ones. Recycle as needed. Yes I'm old and cheap.

AgOutsideAustin said:

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Pro tip
Take a plastic, yes lovely plastic water bottle from home and drink it on your way. It's empty so it goes through security you can refill it as needed depending on flights that day. Fits easier in the backpack side holders and doesn't weigh a ton like those huge metal ones. Recycle as needed. Yes I'm old and cheap.

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pro tip, read the op!
He forgot his water bottle.

Chill smart azz I said I was old !!

It obviously varies by lounge and airport, but, for example, with Amex, lounge access is a terrible reason to upgrade cards.

Crazy how often the lounges have lines of 20+ minutes just to get into an "exclusive" lounge with "free" food and drinks.

If traveling with the fam, we just eat before we go or on our way to the airport.

I was boarding an EVA air flight a couple of weeks ago when a stewardess approached another passenger and asked her if her tumbler had water in it. She said no and the stewardess said OK. Not sure what that was about.

htxag09 said:

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If traveling with the fam, we just eat before we go or on our way to the airport.

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figure 3 hour flight, leaving 2 hours before takeoff and not getting to where you're going for another hour or two after landing.

That's a recipe for hangry! Eating at airport before flight is only cutting off say 1.5-2 hours, but that puts you back in the safe zone.

I'd much rather eat, drink and relax in united club a 5 minute walk from our gate, then be rushed to eat home to try and get on the road.