A SAVVY traveller has found a “life-changing” way to dodge liquid and luggage weight restrictions at the airport.
Not many people know that Boots pharmacy allows you to click and collect products before you fly – and it means you can take large lotions and potions on board with you.
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As you probably know, UK airports won’t allow you to take any liquids that are bigger than 100ml or more through security.
The rule is there for our own safety to prevent terrorism but it can be expensive for travellers.
If you don’t have toiletries in bottles smaller than 100ml, you might have to buy mini bottles before or after you fly.
Plus, large toiletries can be heavy and airlines usually have weight restrictions for carry-on and hold luggage.
But one clever traveller, Gemma, has found a way to take larger liquids with you on holiday by using Boots’ click and collect service.
What counts as a liquid?
THIS is what the Government classes as a liquid for the purposes of travel:
According to the government website, the term “liquid” extends to:
- all drinks, including water
- liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups
- cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss
- sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
- pastes, including toothpaste
- gels, including hair and shower gel
- contact lens solution
- any other solutions and items of similar consistency
You can order almost any product from Boots’ website and then choose to collect it at an “airside” store past security, according to Boots.
It means that you can pick up your products after security and take them straight on board with you.
And you don’t even need to stuff them in your hand luggage after you’ve picked them up as most airlines allow you to take one shopping bag on board.
Gemma wrote on Twitter: “Only just discovered the boots click & collect airport trick and it’s life changing.
“All the things you can order that don’t count towards your liquid and weight allowance. Incredible.”
Her post has got 1,800 likes from fellow flyers who never knew about the loophole.
There are a few things to bear in mind, though.
Alamy
Boots says you have to order the products at least five days before you fly, choosing your flight date as the day of collection – so bad luck if you’ve left your purchases until the last minute.
And of course, you will have to go through security when you fly back home too, which means you won’t be able to take any liquids bigger than 100ml with you.
But if you want to take lots of sun cream on holiday and only have carry-on luggage, then the click and collect service could be handy.
Boots’ website has a much larger choice of products than its airport stores.
How many liquids can you pack?
THE rules are pretty strict when it comes to liquids.
You are only allowed to take containers that have no more than 100ml of liquid with you in your hand luggage.
Larger containers should be placed in your suitcase and must be checked in.
These liquids must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, that measures approximately 20cm by 20cm.
You are allowed one plastic bag per person, which must be easily sealed and shown to airport staff who reserve the right to confiscate any liquids that are over 100ml.
And even though items will be duty-free at the airport, airside shops hike prices for travellers so it could be cheaper to order what you need before you fly.
It could also be a good idea to use the service if you know you won’t have room in your main suitcase.
Another way around the restrictions is to put larger liquids in a piece of hold luggage.
There are no size restrictions on liquids in hold luggage.
But you may have to pay extra to put your bag in the hold, which can cost between £13 and £50 per case.
Boots has hiked the price of a meal deal by 60p recently.
Meanwhile, the pharmacy chain could close shops soon after a shocking profit warning.
The firm behind Boots travel insurance also faces a probe over claims customers died after being denied emergency flights home.
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