TRAVEL experts have revealed a little-known trick to skip queues at the airport before an early morning flight.
Downloading a free app on your phone could save you valuable time when kicking off your holiday – and help brush away some of the cobwebs from your pre-sunrise alarm call.
A strong cup of coffee can be a saving grace when you’ve been up at the crack of dawn and most major airports have a few good spots to pick one up.
However, coffee stalls can become crowded quickly as thousands of weary travellers get their orders in.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to beat the queues thanks to some handy tech advances from global chains.
For example, Starbucks customers can pre-order their caffeine hit from the company’s mobile app.
The service includes many of the brand’s branches at UK airports and can save you from standing idle in long queues just to get your drink made.
Simply download the app, make an account and order online.
It’s all pre-paid so you just need to wait until your name is called and then pick up your drink.
Even better, the firm has outlets in airports all over the world, guaranteeing you great service and tasty beverages wherever you are.
Likewise, travellers going to the US can enjoy a similar pre-order perk from Dunkin’, which can also be picked up on the third-party food app Grab.
However, the experts did urge customers to consider when they were best placed to make their order.
Travel blogger Harriet Baskas warned anyone using a pre-order not to get the ball rolling while waiting at security as “anything could happen”.
She told the Washington Post that she frequently sees cups of coffee left abandoned on the counter by people who have timed their order wrong.
Harriet joked: “That $9 coffee is cold.
“That’s been there for 10 minutes.”
It comes after airlines revealed plans for new hand luggage rules – and it’s good news for budget fliers.
