Boots offers a click and collect service at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports that allows travellers to bypass the strict 100ml liquid security rule and save money on toiletries, according to financial experts.
How It Works
The service is available at Boots outlets in both airports. Travellers can order toiletries online and collect them at the airport after security, avoiding the 100ml limit for hand luggage. Jordan Reid, Chartered Financial Planner at Serenity Financial Planning, explained: "By ordering online and collecting in the airport, you avoid buying items at the airport premium price. It also allows hand-luggage-only travellers to bypass the 100ml liquid limit with full-sized sun creams and toiletries."
However, Boots charges a mandatory £4.50 airport collection fee. Reid warned: "So if you are only picking up a cheap travel deodorant and a mini toothpaste, this fee instantly wipes out your savings, making it cheaper to just buy off the shelf. The rule of thumb is simple: only use it for high-value items. If you are buying premium skincare, baby formula, or a family’s supply of sunscreen, the online discounts easily swallow the fee. But if you just need a couple of basic minis, skip the preorder."
Other Airport Money-Saving Tips
Experts also advised against buying foreign currency at the airport. Prem Raja, head of trading floor at Currencies 4 You, said: "One of the biggest mistakes travellers can make is buying foreign currency at the airport. Despite increased competition in the market, airport exchange bureaux often still offer some of the least competitive rates available. In some cases, travellers can lose more than 10% through poor exchange rates and hidden margins."
Daniel Grimes, founder of ScentVerdict, warned against buying perfume in departure lounges: "The departure lounge is the worst place on earth to buy perfume, because it is the one place where you are shopping against the clock. The 'duty-free' label does the persuading; you have not smelled the thing properly, and your flight is boarding." He cited Tom Ford's Lost Cherry, which costs around £300 for 100ml at retail, while dupe versions cost about £30 for the same amount.
Alex Tofts from Broadband Genie said travellers should never pay for airport Wi-Fi. He noted that airport Wi-Fi is often free but limited to 30 minutes, after which users pay a premium. He recommended getting an eSIM for data needs instead.
Background on the 100ml Rule
The 100ml liquid rule is being gradually phased out at UK airports due to new technology, but it remains in place at several, including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, both Glasgow airports, and Inverness. The rule has been a source of anxiety for travellers for years, but services like Boots click and collect offer a workaround.
