View Poll Results: With UA discontinuing inflight duty free after March 31, 2017
Have purchased UA inflight duty free in the past year
16
9.58%
Have not purchased UA inflight duty free in the past year
151
90.42%
Voters: 167. You may not vote on this poll
United discontinuing inflight duty free sales.
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,007
I bought some things over the years - usually skin care. 10% 1K discount came in handy.
One time several years ago I had a trip LAX-LHR & had to work the entire overnight flight because an unexpected presentation was going to be required when I landed/went to mtg, but my laptop battery wasn't going to last (this was pre normal outlets in the seat). I remembered they had one of those converter type things that plugged into the then seat power, as part of the duty free offerings. I talked to the purser, told him I was in a jam & really needed power before the normal mid-flight duty free, & he agreed to open up duty free once we created cruising altitude. He did, I bought it & worked the flight.
Ironically, while I was in the air the credit company thought there was fraud on my account because of the in-flight purchase, & shut down my account when they couldn't reach me. I found out when I landed & went to use the card at the hotel & it was declined. I was furious. Especially when I pointed out (calling them from the front desk) that if they looked at my account history, there were lots of flights & hotel charges on my card, so duty free would not really be outside the norm since it was a United charge.
Cheers.
One time several years ago I had a trip LAX-LHR & had to work the entire overnight flight because an unexpected presentation was going to be required when I landed/went to mtg, but my laptop battery wasn't going to last (this was pre normal outlets in the seat). I remembered they had one of those converter type things that plugged into the then seat power, as part of the duty free offerings. I talked to the purser, told him I was in a jam & really needed power before the normal mid-flight duty free, & he agreed to open up duty free once we created cruising altitude. He did, I bought it & worked the flight.
Ironically, while I was in the air the credit company thought there was fraud on my account because of the in-flight purchase, & shut down my account when they couldn't reach me. I found out when I landed & went to use the card at the hotel & it was declined. I was furious. Especially when I pointed out (calling them from the front desk) that if they looked at my account history, there were lots of flights & hotel charges on my card, so duty free would not really be outside the norm since it was a United charge.
Cheers.
#34
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IND
Posts: 2,003
DL did it Aug 2014. AA did it Mar 2015. It took 2 more years but I'm glad UA finally jumps on the bandwagon.
Back then, Korean Air even stopped ptv inflight entertainment while duty-free is on going. KE even woke up everyone in the middle of flight with a loud duty-free ad video probably longer than safety announcement. I've seen Asiana and KE FAs began to sell duty free while front door was still opened (flight wasn't in delay) or before reached cruise altitude. But those FAs earn hefty $$ (typically 1/5~1/2 of salary) through the duty free commission. US carriers were never that aggressive but I guess some FAs may miss commission $.
Back then, Korean Air even stopped ptv inflight entertainment while duty-free is on going. KE even woke up everyone in the middle of flight with a loud duty-free ad video probably longer than safety announcement. I've seen Asiana and KE FAs began to sell duty free while front door was still opened (flight wasn't in delay) or before reached cruise altitude. But those FAs earn hefty $$ (typically 1/5~1/2 of salary) through the duty free commission. US carriers were never that aggressive but I guess some FAs may miss commission $.
Last edited by bobbybrown; Mar 18, 2017 at 12:32 pm
#35
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,413
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, LH Senator *Gold, AA EXP OWE Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,556
The last time I bought duty free was 3 years ago on LH FRA-DEN and only because I had a 75 euro "we're sorry" voucher. Was memorable because even though I mentioned to the FA that I wanted something for my wife, she started to hit on me even going so far to say that "I'll be in Denver for 2 nights and I'm staying at the downtown Marriott."
#37
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,854
I could see having the FAs hawk the cards a la US Air as being revenue-neutral if no one signs up so no harm in trying - after all - the FAs need to be on board working the whole time anyway, what's another announcement. But obviously there are costs (I'd guess almost 100% to Chase) to setting up a booth in an airport (rent?), paying someone to staff it, likely costs for the staff (contractors) for travel/parking, etc. Obviously, if Chase wasn't making money on it, they wouldn't want to be paying those costs.
Kind of like the unsolicited direct mail pieces, 100% of which get thrown away in my house and by most people I know. But if they weren't getting enough response from them, they wouldn't be mailing them.
#41
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Raleigh
Programs: United GS 2MM,, Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 754
I have bought jewelry gifts for my wife from duty free several times when Valentine's Day or her birthday were close. I agree with most - it's amazing they kept it going this long. Not that I'll really miss it - but it's another thing to reminisce about.
#43
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DXB / KUO
Programs: AY, SQ, EK
Posts: 857
haha, funny...a year and a bit ago, I was flying on SQ, and entertainment system wasn't working for me and my wife. Comp they gave us was 75 SGD each toward duty free - apparently that's the only way they will compensate.
So we found a few things, including the model SQ plane to purchase. Turns out they didn't stock the SQ plane (as well as one of the other two things we wanted) - FA said they haven't seen the model SQ plane onboard for quite a while.
So we found a few things, including the model SQ plane to purchase. Turns out they didn't stock the SQ plane (as well as one of the other two things we wanted) - FA said they haven't seen the model SQ plane onboard for quite a while.
No model planes on my recent flights either. Once managed to purchase 6 on one go. Before a recent flight, had requested 7 but they had only managed to load 1.
#44
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,684
They did. By not following suit immediately, they differentiated themselves from the masses They looked at (as suggested by other posters) the order in the air and delivery on the ground option as well as a couple of other options, but ultimately came to the conclusion that between flight attendant commissions, costs involved, and low rate of usage, it was not sustainable in any form.
#45
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
Duty Free really make no financial sense for Americans. You can buy cigarettes and liquor cheaper at your corner liquor store and even cheaper at Costco, but for passengers from countries with high taxes on liquor, they will buy.