US influencer fuming as Heathrow security make her throw away £236 of toiletries

In the chaos of the incident she also lost her £173 sunglasses

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A US based travel influencer has vowed to never return to the UK after she was forced to bin £236 worth of toiletries while catching a connecting flight at Heathrow Airport.

Chloe Jade Meltzer, 29, was transferring through the airport on her way from San Francisco to Cotonou in Benin, West Africa, when she was caught out by the "brutal" rules at the country's busiest airport.

Not realising she couldn't use multiple clear zip-lock bags, Chloe was forced to get rid of half of her toiletries - worth a total £236 ($300). Explaining what happened she said: "London Heathrow has a history of losing bags and I could not risk not having my bag. So I had to take all of my toiletries, which were all within the 100ml limit.

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"However, last time I connected through Heathrow, I had the same exact toiletry bag and they allowed me to fill up multiple bags with all of the same toiletries that I had on this day. But this time they gave me one tiny bag and I was required to only fill that one bag."

After having to make a quick decision so as not to miss her connecting flight Chloe decided to keep the most valuable items, but in the process also lost her sunglasses valued at £173 ($220).

She said: "I had to pick and choose which were most valuable to me and which I needed the most because unfortunately my connections were pretty quick and I knew I was not going to have time to re-purchase any of the items."

On top of this when she tried to record the ordeal she was told that this was not allowed, branded a security-threat, and then told to delete the video.

She added: "I tried to take a quick video, considering I am a travel blogger, and when I did that a random employee came up behind me.

"I think he was in charge or overseeing and said that I was a threat to national security and force me to delete the video and then go to my deleted as well. I totally understand this but the way that he did it was very abrupt and it was pretty dramatic and scary considering I didn’t realize there was an issue was filming since there are no signs around saying do not film while getting your bag scanned."

Chloe has now vowed never to come back to the UK since the incident but has also had time to reflect, admitting: "Please note this was recorded on zero sleep and is incredibly dramatic. I do take responsibility for this but It does not make it any less of an unfortunate situation."

Heathrow Airport did not wish to comment, but said it is clear on their website what can be brought through security at Heathrow, in line with the rules the Department for Transport makes all UK airports comply with.

UK airports are set to scrap the 100ml liquids rule by June 2024 which means passengers will be able to leave liquids in cabin luggage as they go through security.

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