Many providers offer various types of mystery shopping assignments at airports. These include checks on service at airport parking lots, as well as assignments that take may inside the airport. With most of the restaurants, shops, and so forth of an airport located past the airport security checkpoint, at first glace it appears that you need to be a ticketed passenger to complete these assignments. However, this may not necessarily be the case. If you’ve been passing up on airport assignments because you don’t have access to the restaurants and shops located past the airport security checkpoint, you should take another look at these assignments as a way to make more money as a mystery shopper. Here are some strategies to getting access to the assignments located past the airport security checkpoints:
Get A Second (or Third) Job. If you have a job inside the airport with an airline, at one of the restaurants or shops in the airport, or in another area of the airport, you may have clearance to access these parts of the airport without a ticket. If you live in an area that has a major airport with many shops and restaurants inside the airport, it may be worth your while to get a part-time job at the airport with the bonus of obtaining the airport clearance and getting easy access to the multitude of airport assignments available.
Buy A Refundable Ticket. If getting a job at the airport is not in your cards for the future, don’t worry! There are still some great options to consider for getting access to the assignments located past airport security checkpoints. Some mystery shoppers who have no plans to travel simply purchase a fully refundable ticket to gain access to the assignment’s location, and then return the ticket for a full refund after the site visit is complete. Some tickets have fine print that require you pay a fee to return the ticket. If you have pay a $15-$30 fee to return your ticket and the compensation for the assignment is less than that, it can cause you to actually lose money by doing the assignment.
Work With Your Provider. Some providers can work with you to help you gain access to the assignment’s site location. They can work with the store or restaurant, or in some cases the airport, to get you past the security checkpoint. In some cases, you may end up with more assignments as a result of requesting this special one-time security pass. The provider may ask that you complete additional assignments that are needed to be done in the airport during your site visit in exchange for their efforts at getting you this pass.
If you have been passing up on airport assignments simply because you have no plans to travel in and out of the airport at that time, take a second look at these assignments. There may be several different options available to you to get you past the airport security checkpoint and earning money on these airport assignments.
i would enjoy doing an airport shop, as long as i dont ave to purchase a ticket, i need to make money, not spend unwisely
I know I’ve come across assignments that were evaluating a credit card booth inside the airport, but these booths were past security. You had to pretend you were applying for the credit card, but the client would not process your application. The mystery shopping provider would have the shopper contact a specific airport representative to get clearance. The shopper had to inform this person in what time frame they would be at the airport so the representative could lead them throught the gate when the shopper arrived. The shopper had to ask for this person when approaching the gates.
These credit card assignments paid better than the restaurants and retail stores. But, while your there doing that one assignment it’s a no-brainer take advantage of those other opportunities and make more money.
Look to see if there are airport parking assignments available, sign up for one these as well. This will compensate your parking expense at the airport.
I would love do mystery shop at the airport as long as I dont have purchase any ticket beside I used to be a ticket agent at the airport and sometime they are really nasty with the customer and they need to be nice and beside I will enjoy very much because i loved to travel and also need the money.
THIS SOUND REALLY GOOD BUT COULD I APPLY FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT
Celia, I haven’t seen any assignments for shopping the ticket agents, the only one’s I’ve seen is for the restaurants, retail shops, and the credit card kiosks.
I’m not sure what the guidelines are as far as it goes with you being a former employee of the airport. You would have to read to the guidelines of the individual assignments.
Sorry Celia, I have also seen assignments for airport parking.
I have done lots of airport shops. I have experienced two types.
1) They provide the means to get past security. They issue 4-6 shops. The shops pay between $3-5. They sometimes reimburse for parking.
2) The other one is usually 1-2 shops in the terminal. Pay is about $5. Parking not reimbursed.
I no longer do the airport shops. The pay is low. The time commitment is great. And so many things can happen that could affect the shop! Such as the location be moved within the airport, flight delays/cancels, shop closed for remodel, shop closed during the hours you are traveling/need to shop it, no speak English, lines are long, security lines long….
I would love to know how to find hospitality types of shops, such as hotels, cruise ships, etc.
Many of airport shops are low paying and it costs more to park car than you make on shop.Plus you have to spend you money and wait almost 2 months to get reimbursed.
Hello Joan
I am back in the saddle again and signing up with different companies to compare the pay rate. I also wanted to warn everyone again about the phoney check scam-take check to western union, do the usual assignment, customer service,etc. I got two checks both for $975.22 to send to MN and 4 different names on the checks, send $ to, signed checks and name of letter. Wow if they were only real!!!!
Be careful folks, don’t get burned by these creeps. I signed up for a resturant survey, they will reimburse me for $40. with a voucher to use at that resturant another time. My husband said money I do not like that place. So watch out for non paying jobs, especially if you do not like the place. Thanks Joan for all the great news you give us. I look forward to your news. Great job!!!! Take care,
Diane
I dont have credit right now, can i use debit only.
And if i have only little to invest, can i still get
assignments witl los spending. (and i suppose they pay
back the investment right?) Thank You