The FT Duty Free Guide
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sydney - Australia
Programs: BD, QF, QR/EY/GF & HH Gold/SPG, Hertz#1G
Posts: 11,079
The FT Duty Free Guide
Hello, I'd like to make an index of FT duty free resources and news, and hope that you can help.
On an overall level, this topic is being discussed by FTers including its member-electred representatives at Talkboard.
Any discussion of drinks and similar purchases, duty free, is already in DiningBuzz, in this thread.
Is this a topic worth keeping updated?
I'm not sure, but if you are interested or have something to share from a recent duty free experience, please add your comments!
Some ideas:
On an overall level, this topic is being discussed by FTers including its member-electred representatives at Talkboard.
Any discussion of drinks and similar purchases, duty free, is already in DiningBuzz, in this thread.
Is this a topic worth keeping updated?
I'm not sure, but if you are interested or have something to share from a recent duty free experience, please add your comments!
Some ideas:
- Drinks -> click here
- Fragrances and similar products
- Jewellery, watches, precious gems & metals
Best place to buy a new Rolex - Duty free v. local pricing for tobacco-related products
- Restrictions/allowances, by airport & country
- Tips in the 'TSA liquids & gels' era
- Duty free electronics (gadgets, cameras, laptops, phones)
- Mileage accumulation from duty free (PuddingGuy-style or airline FFP bonuses)
BA
2 BA Miles for every £1 you spend instead of £5
QF
1 QFF point for every $1 spent in-store (& bonus points) - Error deals or amazing buys
- Links: Duty free, by airline FFP forum
- Links: Duty free, by geographical forum
- Links: Other mileage or destination discussion
- Links:Other related FlyerTalk resources
FT Talkboard (open to all FTer comment), on a Duty Free forum
Women Travelers - Links: News, articles or other worthwhile info for travel destinations and Duty free
Last edited by BiziBB; Mar 17, 2008 at 9:48 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sydney - Australia
Programs: BD, QF, QR/EY/GF & HH Gold/SPG, Hertz#1G
Posts: 11,079
Index of existing information
Please let me know where there is already good info on the topic and I will update this list.
[Moderators: advice appreciated if some of this is irrelevant and requires improvement or removal. This thread is intended to link discussion to where it belongs, in the appropriate forums, rather than have it all here, but allow anyone interested to find current info quickly.]
Existing topics on FT (just reply of PM so I can add relevant discussion):
[Moderators: advice appreciated if some of this is irrelevant and requires improvement or removal. This thread is intended to link discussion to where it belongs, in the appropriate forums, rather than have it all here, but allow anyone interested to find current info quickly.]
Existing topics on FT (just reply of PM so I can add relevant discussion):
- Cosmetics and Frangrances
What are the best airports for DF prices on cosmetics? - Drinks and related
- Best currency to use? Better prices in local or USD$/Euro$?
- Mileage accumulation
Qantas - QFF miles at Dutyfree.com.au & f1rst.com.au - Regional rules, issues and discussion [plus links]
EU rules
Europe (non or 'new' EU and specific-country discussion)
US rules
Asia and Oceania
Mid-East and Africa
Americas (non US) - Special deals
Duty Free Great Buys list?
Airport with cheapest duty free (for an American) - Talkboard discussion of a Duty Free forum
- TSA / worldwide liquid & gel restrictions - How to still buy and legally get purchases onboard
- Discuss: Are Duty Free shops a waste of Money?
Last edited by BiziBB; Mar 18, 2008 at 1:29 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sydney - Australia
Programs: BD, QF, QR/EY/GF & HH Gold/SPG, Hertz#1G
Posts: 11,079
Electronics:
SYD is uncompetitive with mainstream retailers, though some sale items may appear tempting.
Items like cameras are better bought elsewhere and the tax refunded airside at the customs taxback desk.
Having shopped for a camera the afternoon prior to a trip through SYD and MEL, the normal SYD prices were generally RRP and above the generally discounted prices on fast-moving cameras like the Nikon Coolpix series.
Price of my camera was 1/3 higher than what I paid and the same or more than most George St retailers.
I could only recommend shopping in SYD DF while drunk.
Fortunately, most of the time there will be some kind of alcohol pushing, so the shop knows this is the case too.
Not much aside from drinks was selling, despite rhe inept efforts of some know-nothing sales staff. Klink, clink.
SYD is uncompetitive with mainstream retailers, though some sale items may appear tempting.
Items like cameras are better bought elsewhere and the tax refunded airside at the customs taxback desk.
Having shopped for a camera the afternoon prior to a trip through SYD and MEL, the normal SYD prices were generally RRP and above the generally discounted prices on fast-moving cameras like the Nikon Coolpix series.
Price of my camera was 1/3 higher than what I paid and the same or more than most George St retailers.
I could only recommend shopping in SYD DF while drunk.
Fortunately, most of the time there will be some kind of alcohol pushing, so the shop knows this is the case too.
Not much aside from drinks was selling, despite rhe inept efforts of some know-nothing sales staff. Klink, clink.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sydney - Australia
Programs: BD, QF, QR/EY/GF & HH Gold/SPG, Hertz#1G
Posts: 11,079
Bump re. duty or tax refunds on goods bought O/S.
With the fall in the USD$ I'm wondering if there could be good buys for visitors.
Tax-free laptops? Is this an interstate-delivery-only loophole or are some states sales-tax free?
How about buying a tax-free MacBook?
Which states sell retail without sale tax - or is it only goods shipped interstate to certain states that remain tax-free?
This would benefit several FTers currently in the US, where Apple 'MBA' laptops are AUD$500 less than local prices, if the tax isn't payable.
- Perhaps some laptop sellers can arrange duty (tax) free sales to intl visitors?
Already tax-free:
Failing that, there is always the tax-free weeks in NYC (Fashion Week etc) or the outlets in tax-free states, Just a drive north of BOS, yes?
Aren't Caribbean destinations also tax free? How are they for value for watches, jewellery and similar high-end items, especially if their currency is still USD?
With the fall in the USD$ I'm wondering if there could be good buys for visitors.
Tax-free laptops? Is this an interstate-delivery-only loophole or are some states sales-tax free?
How about buying a tax-free MacBook?
Which states sell retail without sale tax - or is it only goods shipped interstate to certain states that remain tax-free?
This would benefit several FTers currently in the US, where Apple 'MBA' laptops are AUD$500 less than local prices, if the tax isn't payable.
- Perhaps some laptop sellers can arrange duty (tax) free sales to intl visitors?
Already tax-free:
Failing that, there is always the tax-free weeks in NYC (Fashion Week etc) or the outlets in tax-free states, Just a drive north of BOS, yes?
Aren't Caribbean destinations also tax free? How are they for value for watches, jewellery and similar high-end items, especially if their currency is still USD?
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sydney - Australia
Programs: BD, QF, QR/EY/GF & HH Gold/SPG, Hertz#1G
Posts: 11,079
Transporting Duty Free items
I'll try to link a few discussions re transporting DF items.
I'll try to link a few discussions re transporting DF items.
- Transporting liquids & food to USA
- Transporting into European destinations
- Transporting into Asian, Other Americas and South Pacific destinations