San Francisco International Airport mentioned below
Airports have some pretty amazing amenities nowadays, like golf courses and full-service spas. But for cash-strapped travelers, some of the very best airport perks are the ones you can get for the price of showing up. The secret to bagging many of these freebies is being in the know. Here's a rundown of not-so-obvious airport extras, which are offered to travelers at no charge.
1. Water-Bottle Refill - Ever since I discovered that water fountains are one of the germiest places in airports, I've been inclined to avoid them. The alternative, then, to a water-fountain refill, is usually an absurdly expensive bottle of Fiji. But at San Francisco International Airport, flyers have access to "hydration stations" at each terminal upon exiting security.
2. A Tour - A tour of Zurich International Airport made our list of 10 Surprisingly Cool Airport Attractions.
3. Free Skype Calls - The world's first Skype video booth was installed in Tallinn Airport a few years ago.
4. Religious Services - Whether seeking ceremony or just a quiet space to sit, flyers will find free facilities for doing just that at numerous airports. Various religious and spiritual services, from almost-daily Catholic masses at Boston Logan to a quiet, sun-lit meditation room at Albuquerque International Sunport, are available in terminals around the world.
5. A Pet Potty Break - More and more airports are offering animal-relief facilities for those traveling with four-footed friends; this is often a fenced-in patch of outdoor space reserved especially for pets. Some are nicer than others. At Miami International Airport, look for the handful of dog parks surrounded by white picket fences and featuring both grass and dirt surfaces as well as waste-disposal stations.
6. Luggage Tags - Luggage tags might not be the most exciting freebee on this list. But, as many experienced travelers know, they're available for free at almost all airport ticket counters.
7. A Little Help When You Need It - Disabled travelers will find special assistance at airports around the world. But they're not the only ones who need a little help sometimes. Many airports have programs that offer assistance to virtually anyone who needs it, such as young travelers, flyers who don't speak English, or even lost or confused passengers—for free. For example, at New York's JFK Airport, a nonprofit program called Traveler's Aid exists to provide support to kids traveling alone, people who have lost their tickets, or those who have gotten separated from travel companions.
8. Fragile Stickers - Safeguard breakables with a free "fragile" sticker affixed to your bag. Some travelers buy these in advance. But they're offered at most airline check-in counters free of cost.
9. A Charge - When your terminal is crowded with hundreds of harried passengers, every outlet is in use, and your phone is running out of juice, try this trick: Ask airline staff to help. This isn't a guaranteed fix.
10. Some Exercise - It all started in Northern California. The Yoga Room at San Francisco International Airport was, according to many reports, the world's first airport yoga room. Since that amenity opened less than two years ago, it's become more or less commonplace to see travelers folding into downward dog or working up a sweat via jogging trails in airports.
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