A seasoned traveller put airport Fast Track – a premium service allowing passengers to skip long queues – to the test, racing her partner through an airport to see if it is really worth the extra cost.
Renowned holiday expert Chelsea Dickenson, who runs Instagram account @holidayexpert where she shares top tips and insider advice, took on her latest challenge at Stansted airport.
She and her boyfriend James headed through the airport seperately to see who would emerge victorious.
She shared their competition in a video, alongside the caption: ‘Is it worth paying for fast track security at the airport?! Some of you swear by Fast Track but is it worth the £6.99?! We decided to test it out!!’
Chelsea also explains: ‘We were travelling on a Friday at midday so decided to test out whether Fast Track was worth the cost or not.
‘Naturally, James went with the fancy premium service and I stuck with normal free security.’
In the clip, Chelsea explains there were few queues at normal security while James paid £6.99 to go through Fast Track.
The service can vary in costs, with Stansted rates starting from £6.49. Other hubs charge different amounts, with Heathrow from £12.99 per person and Gatwick from £6.
Fast Track allows you the option to skip the queue – but is it worth the money?
James, sauntering through a quiet corridor, says: ‘This is worth every penny.’
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the test was difficult to judge.
Chelsea explained: ‘I really thought this would be very straightforward but allow us to question how much is worth paying for minutes saved but… that’s not what happened.
‘Because James got his bags pulled. Whereas I had no queue, and flew through security with no issues at all.’
James had to go through extra security, lengthening the time it took him to clear the checks.
Chelsea concluded: ‘It was only a difference of a couple minutes, but James reckons we would have got out at exactly the same amount if he hadn’t, so it’s definitely £6.99 lost!!’
Overall, Chelsea ‘easily’ beat James – but since he got stopped by security, it’s difficult to confirm if the challenge was fair.
Viewers took to the comments to weigh in on the debate, with some arguing Fast Track is only worth it if the airport is busy.
Especially if queues are long, Fast Track could help you skip long waits for security
One wrote: ‘I think it’s only worth buying if leaving at 5-7am in the morning, the craziest time at Stansted.’
Another echoed this: ‘You need to do it when Stansted is actually busy.’
Others shared their personal experiences across airports, with one saying: ‘From experience, definitely worth it if flying from Manchester Airport. Liverpool, normal security is quick (been through in five minutes the last few times).
‘Belfast International, hit and miss. Luton, I’d get fast track. Can’t speak for Heathrow and Gatwick as it’s been a while, but I think I would get fast track there too.’
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Travel expert races her partner through the airport to see if Fast Track is worth the money
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