Duty Free Question
Oct 16, 2008 | 4:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: The OC
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, Hyatt Gold, MR Plat, SPG Plat, PC Plat
Posts: 421
Duty Free Question
I'm a little surprised that this is the first time I've ever had this situation occur... I fly easily over 100,000 BIS miles (usually over 150K) each year, have for a while now, with quite a bit of it international, but I think this is the first time I've thought about this...
I buy a decent amount of liquor at Duty Free... usually you can save some good dollars on the higher end stuff. Personally, I've found the prices at TPE to be really good. NRT, not as much.
Pretty much every single time I do this, I buy the stuff on an international leg that is my final flight leg into the US. For example, HKG-TPE-LAX, I buy the stuff at TPE, so I can carry the stuff onto the plane and don't have to worry about the liquids ban on US domestic carry ons. In fact I just did this earlier this week when flying HKG-NRT-LAX.
Tomorrow I leave for GRU. I was planning on buying some stuff on the way back. My return is GRU-MIA-LAX. I know that I can't do this in GRU because I won't be able to carry on any liquids on the MIA-LAX leg.
My question is this... can I buy stuff in MIA Duty Free if I just got off of an international flight but connecting to a domestic leg? It's funny (to me) that this is the first time in literally decades of flying that this situation has popped up for me. Go figure, I guess new stuff happens all the time.
I buy a decent amount of liquor at Duty Free... usually you can save some good dollars on the higher end stuff. Personally, I've found the prices at TPE to be really good. NRT, not as much.
Pretty much every single time I do this, I buy the stuff on an international leg that is my final flight leg into the US. For example, HKG-TPE-LAX, I buy the stuff at TPE, so I can carry the stuff onto the plane and don't have to worry about the liquids ban on US domestic carry ons. In fact I just did this earlier this week when flying HKG-NRT-LAX.
Tomorrow I leave for GRU. I was planning on buying some stuff on the way back. My return is GRU-MIA-LAX. I know that I can't do this in GRU because I won't be able to carry on any liquids on the MIA-LAX leg.
My question is this... can I buy stuff in MIA Duty Free if I just got off of an international flight but connecting to a domestic leg? It's funny (to me) that this is the first time in literally decades of flying that this situation has popped up for me. Go figure, I guess new stuff happens all the time.
Oct 16, 2008 | 5:36 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,674
However, after reading your post, I am thinking you may be able to post your best finds over the years in the DiningBuzz! Sticky Thread: Duty Free Best Finds, if you haven't done so.
I am sure you have a lot of good info to share with fellow FTers.
Oct 16, 2008 | 5:39 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,940
No way you can buy duty-free post arrival. U.S. airports usually make duty-free available for pickup as you board the a/c so you don't buy it consume it in the U.S.
Oct 16, 2008 | 6:32 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: AVL and Almond, NC
Programs: Earthling, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 914
If you have a checked bag you can transfer it from your carryon to the checked bag while you pick up your luggage before going through customs. I have used a cardboard tube to protect the bottle.
Oct 19, 2008 | 1:54 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: montreal canada
Programs: AA lifetime gold, BA, AC, CX, AS, DL, AF(gold), IHG(plt), SPG(gold), HHONORS, .
Posts: 358
I'm a little surprised that this is the first time I've ever had this situation occur... I fly easily over 100,000 BIS miles (usually over 150K) each year, have for a while now, with quite a bit of it international, but I think this is the first time I've thought about this...
I buy a decent amount of liquor at Duty Free... usually you can save some good dollars on the higher end stuff. Personally, I've found the prices at TPE to be really good. NRT, not as much.
Pretty much every single time I do this, I buy the stuff on an international leg that is my final flight leg into the US. For example, HKG-TPE-LAX, I buy the stuff at TPE, so I can carry the stuff onto the plane and don't have to worry about the liquids ban on US domestic carry ons. In fact I just did this earlier this week when flying HKG-NRT-LAX.
Tomorrow I leave for GRU. I was planning on buying some stuff on the way back. My return is GRU-MIA-LAX. I know that I can't do this in GRU because I won't be able to carry on any liquids on the MIA-LAX leg.
My question is this... can I buy stuff in MIA Duty Free if I just got off of an international flight but connecting to a domestic leg? It's funny (to me) that this is the first time in literally decades of flying that this situation has popped up for me. Go figure, I guess new stuff happens all the time.
I buy a decent amount of liquor at Duty Free... usually you can save some good dollars on the higher end stuff. Personally, I've found the prices at TPE to be really good. NRT, not as much.
Pretty much every single time I do this, I buy the stuff on an international leg that is my final flight leg into the US. For example, HKG-TPE-LAX, I buy the stuff at TPE, so I can carry the stuff onto the plane and don't have to worry about the liquids ban on US domestic carry ons. In fact I just did this earlier this week when flying HKG-NRT-LAX.
Tomorrow I leave for GRU. I was planning on buying some stuff on the way back. My return is GRU-MIA-LAX. I know that I can't do this in GRU because I won't be able to carry on any liquids on the MIA-LAX leg.
My question is this... can I buy stuff in MIA Duty Free if I just got off of an international flight but connecting to a domestic leg? It's funny (to me) that this is the first time in literally decades of flying that this situation has popped up for me. Go figure, I guess new stuff happens all the time.
and not only at departure. EZE and SCL .
Michael
Oct 19, 2008 | 4:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: MSY
Programs: NW Gold and now Delta Gold
Posts: 3,072
I never see a good price for anything offered "duty free" so I'm still wrapping my head around that part of your post. Sorry I can't be more helpful. I've found the liquor aisle at WalMart will beat anything in duty free hands down every time. Try it the next time you're in Louisiana and tell me I'm wrong. 
Is there a secret to finding good duty free prices? Certain brands or what to look for? I'm usually horrified but admit I haven't investigated the matter very deeply.
Is there a secret to finding good duty free prices? Certain brands or what to look for? I'm usually horrified but admit I haven't investigated the matter very deeply.
Oct 21, 2008 | 2:03 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: The OC
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, Hyatt Gold, MR Plat, SPG Plat, PC Plat
Posts: 421
I never see a good price for anything offered "duty free" so I'm still wrapping my head around that part of your post. Sorry I can't be more helpful. I've found the liquor aisle at WalMart will beat anything in duty free hands down every time. Try it the next time you're in Louisiana and tell me I'm wrong.
Is there a secret to finding good duty free prices? Certain brands or what to look for? I'm usually horrified but admit I haven't investigated the matter very deeply.
Is there a secret to finding good duty free prices? Certain brands or what to look for? I'm usually horrified but admit I haven't investigated the matter very deeply.
Blue Label:
750ml bottle in the LA/OC area - $169 (BevMo - saw it just once, hopefully it will continue) to $200 (Costco - when available)
1 Liter bottle - have not seen any in LA/OC
750ml bottle at NRT - $160
1 Liter bottle at NRT - $195
1 Liter bottle at TPE (best deal I've found) - $165
Remy Exra:
700ml bottle (usually mis-advertised as 750ml) - $299 online at NapaCabs
- Most retailers do not carry this particular product and when they have (usually specialty/high end shops only, I have seen prices at the low end of $350, all the way to $475)
700ml bottle at NRT - $230 to $270(? I think?)
700ml bottle at TPE - $220
These are prices I've found on these items in just the past 6 months. The NRT prices are less than a week old - I bought a 1L bottle of Blue last week in NRT.
The TPE prices are really terrific - especially at the "per ml" price on the Blue Label when you compare the 750s vs. 1Ls
BTW, I also use these items as my "benchmark items" when looking at Duty Free prices. The LAX prices don't seem too bad either IIRC. I just don't have any (last 6 months) data that I can remember right now. I usually buy this stuff outbound only if I need a gift for an important client/person in Asia. LOTS of appreciative scotch drinkers in Asia (myself included).
Oct 21, 2008 | 2:19 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sunny Switzerland
Programs: BD / BA / AF
Posts: 4,388
It depends a little on where you live. If you live in a state or country with high liquor taxes, duty free can be quite a savings. Even in France, where the taxes on alcohol are relatively low, I still end up getting a 1l bottle in duty free for the price I would pay for a 750ml bottle elsewhere.