Americans Spend $135 at the Airport: See the Top Impulse Buys They’re Making
Written by
Gabrielle Olya
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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The airport is full of spending temptations at every corner, and it’s easy to give into those temptations when you have time to kill before your flight. According to a recent survey from CardRates.com, 70% of Americans say they have made unplanned purchases at the airport, with 22% admitting that they frequently make impulse purchases at the airport.
And those impulse purchases can add up, especially with the airport’s typically marked up prices. The survey found that Americans spend an average of $135 at the terminal.
Here’s a look at the top impulse purchases Americans are making at the airport.
What Americans Are Buying at the Airport
Unsurprisingly, the top purchases Americans are making at the airport are food and drinks. Eighty-four percent of Americans said food is their top airport purchase, with an average spend of $38. The second most-bought items are non-alcoholic beverages, with 75% of Americans purchasing drinks at the airport and spending an average of $19.
Other popular airport purchases include souvenirs and gifts (35%, average spend of $57), alcoholic beverages (22%, average spend of $38) and personal care items (21%, average spend of $73).
Tips for Avoiding Impulse Purchases at the Airport
The best way to avoid making impulse purchases when you get to the airport is to be prepared. Bring your own empty water bottle and fill it up at the terminal, and pack your own snacks for the plane.
“Snacks are more expensive than what you’d pay at a grocery store, so I always pack a few in my purse or carry-on to keep me satisfied in the airport and during the flight,” said travel and money expert Lauren Keys, founder of Trip of a Lifestyle.
“Depending on how long your flight is, one bag of peanuts might not be enough to fill you up. Just make sure you bring more solid options, like granola or protein bars, rather than easily broken snacks like chips, or anything somewhat liquid or gel-like, such as applesauce or yogurt, which will need to be TSA appropriate and count toward your 3-1-1 liquid.”
The airport is also one of the worst places to shop for souvenirs and gifts due to the high prices, so try to get these items before you head to your return flight.
“Airport souvenirs are expensive and may break during traveling,” said Andrew Priobrazhenskyi, coupon expert at DiscountReactor. “So, I recommend you don’t buy souvenirs at the airport. Buy souvenirs at your destination, not while traveling.”
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