Best airport deals at Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, Glasgow Gatwick and more

Free meals, cheap drinks and big duty-free discounts are up for grabs – and it can be easy as visiting the airport's website.

Getting to the airport signals the start of your holiday, but time spent there can put a dent in your holiday money. 

We all know airports can be expensive places. But there are still ways to save if you sign up for the airport’s free loyalty scheme, check its website or social media channels for vouchers and deals ahead of your trip.

We’ve checked out airports across the country and here’s what’s on offer at the ones we found offering special deals. 

Before you head to the airport, don't forget travel insurance - an accident abroad could really cut your holiday short. 

Heathrow

Heathrow has its own loyalty scheme known as ‘Rewards’. Free to sign up online for a card and you can collect points on everything from airport parking and the Heathrow Express to shopping, eating and drinking.

Each pound you spend means one point, (one point for every £10 with Travelex), and 500 points mean £5 off which can be traded in on airport spending or Avios/miles. There’s a bonus 100 points with the card and points last three years so you can hold them over until your next trip. 

If you're looking to earn Avios or air miles, a rewards credit card allows you to receive points on everyday spending outside of the airport. 

Other deals include free kids’ meals with every adult meal at selected Heathrow restaurants until 15th April and the deal starts over again on 24th May for half term holidays. Check Heathrow's website for details.

Bristol 

No loyalty scheme here but check the ‘vouchers’ section on the website for deals, which includes savings at stores, restaurants and bars. Print off the vouchers or show them on your phone to bag the savings.

Current deals include free cake which means a caramel shortbread, brownie or raspberry bake with any ‘Medio’ or ‘Massimo’ hot drink at Costa between 1-5pm which includes all teas, coffees and hot chocolate.

And you can get £5 off if you spend £30 at the Brunel bar and restaurant.

Stansted

All the big names like Clinique, Benefit, Mac and Jo Malone offer free treatments including facials, mini massage or makeover in duty-free though Stansted say it’s best to book in advance as these do prove popular.

You can download a voucher from Stansted’s website giving you 10% off duty-free purchases, although note this excludes tobacco products. Bear in mind, however, that duty-free could end up costing you more than the high street.

You’ll get all your usual shopping rights when it comes to faulty goods whichever UK airport you shop in, but Stansted also has a generous 60 day returns policy as part of its ‘World Shopper Promise’. Details on the website. 

Manchester

Not a huge amount in the way of deals and offers here but you can save 10% at Duty-free if you download a voucher from the website.

Other general airport deals that don’t need vouchers include WH Smith which is currently offering three3 for two2 on all kids’ books.

Gatwick

Gatwick’s got a free ‘members’ area called ‘myGatwick’ which opens the doors to personalised vouchers and discounts.

Once you’ve registered, just pop in where and when you’re flying plus the reason for your trip and you’ll get a selection of offer and vouchers to print off or show on your phone.

Current offers include £20 off at Sunglass Hut, £5 off when spending £20 or more on books at WH Smith and 15% off your bill at the Nicholas Culpeper bar along with a half price G&T, which uses gin distilled within the airport.

And you can pop along for free pampering in the form of mini beauty treatments at Gatwick’s World Duty-free stores. 

The treatment menu includes a mini facial and makeover which last up to ten 10 minutes, so you’ll still have time to catch your flight!

Glasgow 

Free to sign up for the airport’s ‘GLA Club’ which promises that you’ll hear about exclusive deals, discount and offers, although so far no email deals have hit our inbox.

There’s an ongoing offer with World Duty-free which means a choice of free mini beauty treatments.

Luton 

Over Easter, you can save up to 20% on pre-ordered duty-free purchases at Aelia Duty-free, which you can collect at the airport. 

Free beauty treatments at Aelia Duty-free are also on offer including a hand and arm massage at the Jo Malone counter. 

Keep a look out for regular complementary food and drink tastings in ‘Duty-free’.

You can save on your bar tab although you won’t usually get full-size versions of alcoholic drinks.

Belfast

Sign up on the website for offers, deals and promotions –  the latest one to hit our inbox was for a prize draw to win a luxury Easter egg.

Pretty much all airports offer parking and ‘lounge’ deals if you pre-book via their website, although can also be worth checking sites like Holiday Extras for deals or considering services like Look4Parking.

Finally, continue to save money at your destination by using a credit card that doesn't charge you fees for use abroad.