The World’s Best Duty Free Shopping Scores
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From the moment you step into an international terminal to the time you clear customs, duty-free shopping is everywhere — even in-flight. To help you find the best bang for your buck, TPG Contributor Lane Nieset shares some of the best duty-free buys around the globe.
I once looked at duty free as a last-minute souvenir spot where I could snag that wine I forgot to pick up for friends, or find gifts for family that I didn't have time to purchase in town — but recently, airports seems to have stepped up their duty-free game. Most already have duty-free shopping strategically placed post-security, so the only way to enter the terminal is by weaving your way through aisles packed with beauty products and booze — and those that don't yet have this setup are starting to change their tune. For example, just last year, my own home airport, Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE), announced that in correlation with 2014's TAXFREE event (the anniversary of duty-free shopping), it would undergo a major remodel in order to double duty-free shopping space and create the "most unforgettable retail experience of any European airport."
While you can usually stumble on great savings at an airport duty-free shop, it takes some insider intel to navigate the overall do's and don'ts of duty free, especially when you add currency conversions to the mix. Big spenders should remember that when returning to the US from countries other than the Caribbean, you'll only have an $800 duty-free exemption — and you'll have to pay 3% on the next $1,000. You're also limited on the quantity of alcohol and tobacco products you can bring back duty-free. With these limit in mind, here are a few choice items to look out for while traveling.
Perfume & Fashion
In Europe, one of the main advantage for Americans is saving on tax, or VAT, that can be anywhere from 5 to 25 percent — and with the current euro-exchange rate, you'll be saving even more. So, if you've been waiting to buy a new perfume or restock your makeup bag, now's the time.
In Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), for instance, perfumes are one of the best deals (Chanel, Hermès, you name it), and you won't have to worry about the 3.4-ounce liquid limitation on carry-ons. The more splurge-y French items like Diptyque candles (known for its Baies scent), Longchamp tote bags and Kusmi Tea are some of the best deals you'll find at CDG. While the medium-sized Le Pliage nylon Longchamp tote retails for around $115 in the States, it starts at 62 euros ($66) at duty-free, and often includes patterns and styles you can't find back home.
Beauty Products
When it comes to cosmetics, the beauty world flocks to Asia to get their fix of serums, moisturizers and masks made of everything from sea kelp to snail slime extract. Incheon International Airport (ICN), the main hub for travel to Seoul, South Korea, is a goldmine of beauty. You'll find all of those sought-after masks by Korean brands like innisfree, TonyMoly and Skin Food sitting in Lotte duty-free with specials on packs and free gifts with larger sales. Innisfree's green tea skin masks, a personal favorite, go for $15 for a 20-pack, while individual masks in stores are $1.20 each.
Gold
The world's largest single airport retailer (with sales of more than $1.9 billion in 2014 alone), Dubai Duty Free at Dubai International Airport (DXB) sells almost everything imaginable, from Rolex watches to Porsche Design luggage and international cigars. Not only do they have an over-the-top selection of products for sale, they also have Bentleys and BMWs as prizes for their many raffles and lotteries. If that wasn't enough to make this duty-free mecca stand out from those in other airports, its "City of Gold" offers deals like those you'd find in Dubai's popular souks. If you're in the market for gold chains by the meter while waiting for your flight, you'll find a number of deals on 18, 22 and 24K gold at price-points that are much more reasonable than those you'll find in the States. (Note that while there's no VAT, you may have to pay tax if you’re over the duty-free exemption). After getting your gold fix, stop by the perfume counter for traditional oil-based fragrances like Arabian Oud.
Alcohol
In the Caribbean, you're practically in the land of spirits, and duty-free can be one of the best ways to bring home a bottle (or three) to savor after your trip. You may even find duty-free post-customs in some of these destinations, getting a head-start on the shopping process.
While in Montego Bay, Jamaica's Sangster International Airport (MBJ), pick up local favorites like Wallenford Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee and Tortuga Rum Cake, sample Tesseron Cognac and Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky from The Xtra Ordinary Store, or opt for a bottle of local Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum.
While passing through large Mexican airports like Cancun's CUN, you'll find that tequila is a real hot-ticket item, with specials on two bottles or more. The Caribbean's usual duty-free limit is two liters, but you can bring back up to five bottles from the US Virgin Islands, just as long as one is a product of the USVI, Guam or American Samoa.
Helpful Hints
If you have some time to spare, be sure to do your research before you hand over a credit card. That's when airport Wi-Fi or cheap international data comes in handy (from T-Mobile, Verizon or Google's Project Fi). If you have your eye on something in particular, spend a moment to search for the item at retailers back home — you might find that an amazing duty-free sale isn't such a good deal, after all.
And speaking of credit cards, be sure to choose ones that don’t charge foreign transaction fees, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express and the Citi Premier® Card — which are ideal to use while purchasing duty-free items abroad. To see more cards without these fees, check out Top Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees.
What are some of your favorite duty-free shopping tips and tricks? Share with us in the comments below!
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.