CHICAGO — The Transportation Security Administration has no plans to change its screening rules in response to a new analysis of airport spending, an agency spokesperson confirmed Thursday, even as personal finance experts warn travelers are losing money on overpriced concessions. The analysis, released earlier this week, found that travelers routinely pay inflated prices for food, drinks, and snacks purchased after clearing security. A single bottle of water can cost several times what it would at a grocery store.
Sandwiches and salads carry similar markups. The cumulative effect, the expert said, can add tens of dollars to a single trip and hundreds over a year for frequent flyers.
But the TSA is not stepping in. “The agency does not regulate concession pricing,” the spokesperson said. “Our role is security screening.” The TSA does permit travelers to bring their own food and empty reusable water bottles through checkpoints, as long as liquids comply with the 3-1-1 rule.
That policy remains unchanged. Airport authorities, however, have taken notice.
The Chicago Department of Aviation, which operates O’Hare and Midway, declined to comment on the analysis but noted that concession contracts are awarded through a competitive bidding process. Those contracts typically require vendors to pay a percentage of sales to the airport, a standard practice nationwide. The percentage varies by airport and vendor, but it is one reason prices at airport concessions are higher than at comparable stores outside the terminal.
“The model is built on captive customers,” said a trade association official who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly. “Once you’re past security, you’re a locked-in buyer. Vendors know that.” The analysis recommended a straightforward fix: pack snacks from home and bring an empty water bottle to fill at a fountain after passing through security.
For travelers who do not want to carry food, the analysis suggested checking prices at multiple concession stands before buying. Not all airport vendors charge the same markup, the record shows.
Some locations offer better value than others. At O’Hare, a spot check of prices found a 20-ounce bottle of soda selling for $4.50 at one gate-area kiosk, while a similar bottle at a food court in the same terminal was $3.25. A prepackaged turkey sandwich at one stand cost $12.99; at another, $9.49.
The differences were not trivial. The warning comes as summer travel season peaks.
Airports are crowded. Flight delays are common. The temptation to buy overpriced items at the gate is strong, the expert said.
But the analysis concluded that planning ahead is the only reliable defense. The TSA’s position is clear: travelers who want to save money should pack their own provisions. The agency has no plans to intervene in pricing.
“We encourage passengers to check our website for what is allowed,” the spokesperson said. “Beyond that, it is not our jurisdiction.” Some consumer advocates have called for airports to require vendors to post price comparisons or to cap markups on essential items like water.
No major U.S. airport has adopted such measures. The trade association official said the idea has been discussed in industry meetings but has not gained traction. “Airports are in the business of generating revenue,” the official said.
“Concessions are a big part of that.” For now, the advice remains the same as it was before the analysis: pack your own snacks. Fill your own bottle.
Check prices before you buy. The TSA will let you through. The airport will not stop you.
The choice is yours.
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