Major airline charging 20% more for Costa coffees on flights compared to high street prices
EASYJET is charging almost a third more for some Costa coffees on flights compared to high street prices.
The budget airline charges £3.95 for a small 12oz latte or cappuccino and £3.75 for a small Americano on flights, whereas the same drinks cost just £3.55 or £2.85 respectively in Hull’s Costa coffee branch.
Prices do vary between Costa coffee branches.
For example, Costa’s outlet in Morden, south London sells a small latte and cappuccino for £3.70 and £3 for an Americano.
Consumer expert Martyn James said: “This latte tax is just another example of easyJet hitting their customers in the pocket.
“With the cost of an inflight cup of coffee going through the roof it is no surprise Brits are finding it more expensive to go on holiday.
“Flyers should tank up on caffeine before they board to avoid getting caught out paying through the nose for a brew onboard.”
EasyJet said: “Our pricing is competitive and based on the popularity of Costa Coffee onboard our flights it is clear are we are offering the options our customers want.”
Earlier this month we told how easyJet and TUI had both axed popular kids’ meal choices from in-flight menus making feeding kids on flights far dearer for cash strapped parents.
And last month we reported Costa was charging a whopping 20p extra on some hot drinks sold in NHS hospital cafes compared with high street outlets.
Boffins at Money Saving Expert recommend a number of hacks to help save money on easyJet flights.
Pay to bring a second larger bag on board to help minimise your baggage charges.
Boost your hand luggage allowance by using a carrier bag or better still wear your luggage.
Be ready to pounce when easyJet launches its seats to help buy tickets when the demand is lower so you can secure flights tickets for less.
Dodge expensive easyJet extras such as car hire, hotels, and travel insurance by checking prices independently.
And avoid sky-high food and drink prices charged by the budget behemoth by packing a mile-high picnic instead.
Even prices in the terminal after check in are normally cheaper.
For example, an easyJet meal deal (sandwich, soft drink, and snack) starts at £8.50.
Even at inflated airport prices, a Boots meal deal is around £5.
Checkers at the group also told punters not to assume easyJet is cheapest and instead advised them to always compare against alternatives.
How to get free cofee
Virgin Media O2 customers are cutting back on Greggs freebies including coffee.
But there are plenty of other ways to get a free brew. Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains..
Download the Greggs’s app and sign up to its loyalty scheme for the first time to get a free hot drink.
The offer includes tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
You’ll be able to collect loyalty stamps through the app, too, which add up to freebies.
Octopus energy customers can also get a complimentary hot drink every week at Greggs by signing up to the Octoplus section on the power provider’s app.
Pop into Ikea during the week to get a free cup of tea or filter coffee with the store’s loyalty card. It costs nothing to sign up to Ikea Family.
You can also bag a free hot drink at Waitrose if you’re a MyWaitrose member when you make a purchase instore.
Get a tea, coffee, cappuccino or latte with the deal.
And the purchase need not cost a lot – buy a piece of fruit or a cheap chocolate bar. Sign up at waitrose.com.
Plus, don’t forget about loyalty schemes at the high street coffee chains.
Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Caffe Nero all offer free drinks after a certain number of purchases — usually around nine or ten.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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